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. 2020 Aug 13;20(16):4549.
doi: 10.3390/s20164549.

Thermal Characterization of Phantoms Used for Quality Assurance of Deep Hyperthermia Systems

Laura Farina  1   2 , Kemal Sumser  3 , Gerard van Rhoon  3 , Sergio Curto  3
Affiliations

Thermal Characterization of Phantoms Used for Quality Assurance of Deep Hyperthermia Systems

Laura Farina et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Tissue mimicking phantoms are frequently used in hyperthermia applications for device and protocol optimization. Unfortunately, a commonly experienced limitation is that their precise thermal properties are not available. Therefore, in this study, the thermal properties of three currently used QA phantoms for deep hyperthermia are measured with an "off-shelf" commercial thermal property analyzer. We have measured averaged values of thermal conductivity (k = 0.59 ± 0.07 Wm-1K-1), volumetric heat capacity (C = 3.85 ± 0.45 MJm-3K-1) and thermal diffusivity (D = 0.16 ± 0.02 mm2s-1). These values are comparable with reported values of internal organs, such as liver, kidney and muscle. In addition, a sensitivity study of the performance of the commercial sensor is conducted. To ensure correct thermal measurements, the sample under test should entirely cover the length of the sensor, and a minimum of 4 mm of material parallel to the sensor in all directions should be guaranteed.

Keywords: QA phantoms; deep hyperthermia; hyperthermia; thermal properties; thermal properties analyzer device; thermal properties sensitivity evaluation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measurement set up. (a) Photography showing that the thermal property analyzer is connected to the sensor; the sensor is immersed in the high-viscosity phantom and held in place by a dedicated fixture. (b) Sketch of the fixture showing the opening where the sensor is placed. (c) Without fixture. (d) Top: the dimension of the sample where decreased keeping fixed the sensor position; bottom: the S4 sample, i.e., the sample with 8 mm of material parallel to the sensor in all directions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Thermal conductivity of the high-viscosity, semi-solid and solid phantom measured with the single-needle sensor and with the dual-needle sensor over time.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Volumetric heat capacity (a) and thermal diffusivity (b) of the solid phantom measured with the dual-needle sensor over time.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sensitivity study on the dual-needle sensor: (a) thermal conductivity, (b) volumetric heat capacity, (c) thermal diffusivity and (d) regression error (Sxy).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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