Coupling phenomena in concentric multi-applicator phased array hyperthermia systems

The coupling between the waveguide applicators of a four-element phased array hyperthermia system irradiating a three-layered cylindrical tissue model of circular cross section is analyzed theoretically. The fields inside the tissue layers are expressed in terms of cylindrical vector wave functions satisfying the corresponding wave equations, while the fields inside each waveguide are expanded in terms of guided and evanescent normal modes. Then, by implementing the appropriate boundary conditions, a system of four coupled integral equations is derived in terms of the unknown electric field distributions on the open waveguide apertures. This system is solved by expanding the unknown electric field on each aperture into waveguide normal modes and by applying a Galerkin's procedure. The self reflection coefficient and the mutual coupling coefficients are then determined and numerical results for a four-element phased array hyperthermia system are computed and presented for different waveguide applicator sizes and settings.