Localized heating characteristics of hyperthermia using a reentrant cavity

An applicator based on a reentrant cavity with excellent localized heating characteristics is proposed in order to treat deep tumours localized in the head and neck. Numerical and experimental analyses of the applicator, which produces an electromagnetic field distribution required for this type of localized heating, are performed. A simple and clear procedure for achieving localized heating requires applicator miniaturization. However, miniaturization causes an increase in the resonant frequency and leads to the degradation of the characteristics for heating deep tissue. Therefore, it is proposed that dielectrics be inserted into the applicator and the resonant frequency be reduced. From the results of the numerical analysis and experimental examination, it is shown that a deep region of 100–120 mm around the centre of a phantom can be heated.