title: Development of numerical phantoms by MRI for RF electromagnetic dosimetry: a female model.
abstract: Numerical human models for electromagnetic dosimetry are commonly obtained by segmentation of CT or MRI images and complex permittivity values are ascribed to each issue according to literature values. The aim of this study is to provide an alternative semi-automatic method by which non-segmented images, obtained by a MRI tomographer, can be automatically related to the complex permittivity values through two frequency dependent transfer functions. In this way permittivity and conductivity vary with continuity--even in the same tissue--reflecting the intrinsic realistic spatial dispersion of such parameters. A female human model impinged by a plane wave is tested using finite-difference time-domain algorithm and the results of the total body and layer-averaged specific absorption rate are reported.
authors.affiliation: ITC-irst, Bioelectromagnetism Laboratory, FCS Department--38050 Povo, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzurana
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sandrini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaccari
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malacarne
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cristoforetti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pontalti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001822:Body Burden; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D011846:Radio Waves; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors