3-D numerical study on the induced heating effects of embedded micro/nanoparticles on human body subject to external medical electromagnetic field

Advancement of the recent micro/nanotechnology stimulates the renaissance of using magnetic micro/nanoparticles embedded in tissues for the target tumor hyperthermia. However, there is a strong lack of quantitative understanding of the temperature profiles thus induced by the applied external electromagnetic (EM) field, which may impede the successful operation of this therapy. In the current study, the three-dimensional quasi-steady-state EM field and transient tissue temperature behavior induced by two planar electrodes were numerically investigated. Detailed computations indicated that nanoparticles exhibit an extraordinary highly focused heating on target tumor tissue, which is much stronger than that in the surrounding areas. This heating effect depends heavily on the properties of the magnetic nanoparticles, which may vary appreciably for different samples depending on their particle sizes and microstructures. The effect of micro/nanoparticle concentration, heating area, and the frequency and strength of the external alternating EM field were also tested. Moreover, a criterion to determine the appropriate particle concentration thermally important for medical treatment was established. Given accurate thermal and EM parameters for cancerous tissue embedded with nanoparticles, the current model could possibly be applied in the hyperthermia treatment planning and help optimize the surgical procedures.