A radio-frequency system for in vivo pilot experiments aimed at the studies on biological effects of electromagnetic fields.
An exposure system consisting of two long transversal electromagnetic (TEM) cells, operating at a frequency of 900 MHz, is presented and discussed. The set-up allows simultaneous exposure of a significant number of animals (up to 12 mice per cell) in a blind way to a uniform plane wave at a frequency of 900 MHz, for investigating possible biological effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields produced by wireless communication systems. A heating/refrigerating system has also been designed for maintaining comfortable environmental conditions within the TEM cells during experiments. An accurate dosimetric study has been performed both numerically and by means of direct measurements on phantoms and living mice. The results have shown that good homogeneity of exposure and adequate power efficiency, in terms of whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) per 1 W of input power, are achievable for the biological target.
Ardoino
Lucia
L
Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, ENEA (Ente Nuove tecnologie, Energia e Ambiente), 00060 Rome, Italy.
Lopresto
Vanni
V
Mancini
Sergio
S
Marino
Carmela
C
Pinto
Rosanna
R
Lovisolo
Giorgio A
GA
D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008872:Microwaves; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods