Determination of the penetration depth of a High-Power RF system for oncology hyperthermia by using SAR distributions

This paper presents the characterization of a High-Power Radiofrequency (RF) system applied to oncology hyperthermia. The characterization is made by measuring the induced increase of temperature of a rectangular waveguide radiating with a flat plate antenna in a solid muscle-like phantom. Temperature measurements are taken at different depths with optic fiber sensors. The measurements are made with the purpose of calculating the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution planes according to the “Power Pulse” technique as proposed by the European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology (ESHO) protocols; we determined the penetration depth (PD) of the rectangular waveguide of the RF Hyperthermia system.