FDTD electromagnetic and thermal analysis of interstitial hyperthermic applicators. Finite-difference time-domain.

In this paper, the electromagnetic and thermal behavior of interstitial applicators was analyzed by using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method. Two configurations were considered: a simple insulated dipole antenna radiating in a layered tissue, and an air cooled applicator radiating in a tissue-equivalent phantom. The proposed approach allows a detailed modeling of the complete structure of the applicator. Furthermore, Specific Absorption Rate and temperature distributions can be determined considering real clinical or experimental conditions. The temperature distribution for the air cooled applicator has been compared with experimental results.