A prolate-spheroidal impulse-radiating antenna system to launch and focus 100-ps pulses for melanoma treatment

This paper briefly reviews the design of a prolate-spheroidal impulse-radiating antenna system, to launch and focus fast (100 ps) high-voltage (> 100 kV) pulses, as a non-invasive tool for melanoma (skin cancer) treatment. The experiments on a graded five-layer dielectric lens, designed to match the pulses into a biological target medium, are outlined. The design of a switch system to launch high-voltage spherical TEM pulses is also summarized.