P J Dimbylow

FDTD calculations of the whole-body averaged SAR in an anatomically realistic voxel model of the human body from 1 MHz to 1 GHz

This paper presents finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of the whole-body averaged SAR in an anatomically realistic voxel model of the human body. This model, NORMAN, consists of approximately 9 million voxels, of 2 mm dimension in the adult phantom, segmented into 37 tissue types. SAR values are presented for an adult phantom and for scaled 10, 5 and 1 year old models, grounded and isolated in air from 1 MHz to 1 GHz for plane wave exposure. External electric field values corresponding to a whole-body averaged SAR of 0.4 W kg-1 are also presented.

Development of the female voxel phantom, NAOMI, and its application to calculations of induced current densities and electric fields from applied low frequency magnetic and electric fields.

This paper outlines the development of a 2 mm resolution voxel model, NAOMI (aNAtOMIcal model), designed to be representative of the average adult female. The primary medical imaging data were derived from a high-resolution MRI scan of a 1.65 m tall, 23 year old female subject with a mass of 58 kg. The model was rescaled to a height of 1.63 m and a mass of 60 kg, the dimensions of the International Commission on Radiological Protection reference adult female. There are 41 tissue types in the model. The application of NAOMI to the calculations of induced current densities and electric fields from applied low frequency magnetic and electric fields is described. Comparisons are made with values from the male voxel model, NORMAN. The calculations were extended from 50 Hz up to 10 MHz. External field reference levels are compared with the ICNIRP guidelines.

Fine resolution calculations of SAR in the human body for frequencies up to 3 GHz

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of whole-body averaged specific energy absorption rate (SAR) have been performed from 100 MHz to 3 GHz at the basic 2 mm resolution of the voxel (volume pixel) model NORMAN without any rescaling to larger cell sizes. The reduction in the voxel size from previous work allows SAR to be calculated at higher frequencies. Additionally, the calculations have been extended down to 10 MHz, covering the whole-body resonance regions at a resolution of 4 mm. As well as for the adult phantom, SAR values are calculated for scaled versions representing 10-, 5- and 1-year-old children for both grounded and isolated conditions. External electric field levels are derived from limits of whole-body averaged SAR and localized SAR in the ankle, and compared with NRPB investigation levels and ICNIRP reference levels. The ICNIRP field reference levels alone would not provide a conservative estimate of the localized SAR exposure in the leg for grounded conditions. It would be necessary to invoke the secondary reference level on limb current to provide compliance with basic restrictions on localized SAR averaged over 10 g.

Induced current densities from low-frequency magnetic fields in a 2 mm resolution, anatomically realistic model of the body

This paper presents calculations of current density in a fine-resolution (2 mm) anatomically realistic voxel model of the human body for uniform magnetic fields incident from the front, side and top of the body for frequencies from 50 Hz to 10 MHz. The voxel phantom, NORMAN, has a height of 1.76 m and a mass of 73 kg. There are 8.3 million voxels in the body differentiated into 37 tissue types. Both the impedance method and the scalar potential finite difference method were used to provide mutual corroboration. Results are presented for the current density averaged over 1 cm2 in muscle, heart, brain and retina.

Current densities in a 2 mm resolution anatomically realistic model of the body induced by low frequency electric fields

Current density distributions in a fine resolution (2 mm) anatomically realistic voxel model of the human body have been calculated for uniform, low frequency vertically aligned electric fields for a body grounded and isolated from 50 Hz to 10 MHz. The voxel phantom NORMAN is used which has a height of 1.76 m and a mass of 73 kg. There are 8.3 million voxels in the body differentiated into 37 tissue types. Both finite-difference potential and time-domain methods were used. Results are presented for the current density averaged over 1 cm2 in muscle, heart, brain and retina. Electric field values required to reach the NRPB and ICNIRP basic restrictions on current density are derived and compared with the external field guidelines from these standards.

Effects of posture on FDTD calculations of specific absorption rate in a voxel model of the human body

A change in the posture of the human body can significantly affect the way in which it absorbs radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. To study this, an anatomically realistic model of the body has been modified to develop new voxel models in postures other than the standard standing position with arms to the side. These postures were sitting, arms stretched out horizontally to the side and vertically above the head. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of the whole-body averaged specific energy absorption rate (SAR) have been performed from 10 MHz to 300 MHz at a resolution of 4 mm. Calculations show that the effect of a raised arm above the head posture was to increase the value of the whole-body averaged SAR at resonance by up to 35% when compared to the standard, arms by the side position. SAR values, both whole-body averaged and localized in the ankle, were used to derive the external electric field values required to produce the SAR basic restrictions of the ICNIRP guidelines. It was found that, in certain postures, external electric field reference levels alone would not provide a conservative estimate of localized SAR exposure and it would be necessary to invoke secondary reference levels on limb currents to provide compliance with restrictions.

Neutron cross-sections and kerma values for carbon, nitrogen and oxygen from 20 to 50 MeV

The advent of high energy neutron radiotherapy will require the neutron cross-section data and kerma factors for elements of biomedical importance to be extended up to and possibly above 50 MeV. Nuclear model calculations have been employed to produce a set of neutron cross-sections for C, N and O from 20 to 50 MeV. The strategy employed involves the optical model fitting of experimental total cross-sections to produce elastic and non-elastic cross-sections. The non-elastic cross-section is then used to normalise the individual reaction cross-sections and charged particle spectra produced by the statistical model of level densities. Kerma values are obtained from charged particle and recoil nucleus spectra. A comparison is made with other kerma calculations, based on the intranuclear cascade-evaporation model, which are consistently lower than the results presented in this paper.

Assessment of specific energy absorption rate (SAR) in the head from a TETRA handset

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of the specific energy absorption rate (SAR) from a representative TETRA handset have been performed in an anatomically realistic model of the head. TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) is a modern digital private mobile radio system designed to meet the requirements of professional users, such as the police and fire brigade. The current frequency allocations in the UK are 380-385 MHz and 390-395 MHz for the public sector network. A comprehensive set of calculations of SAR in the head was performed for positions of the handset in front of the face and at both sides of the head. The representative TETRA handset considered. operating at 1 W in normal use, will show compliance with both the ICNIRP occupational and public exposure restrictions. The handset with a monopole antenna operating at 3 W in normal use will show compliance with both the ICNIRP occupational and public exposure restrictions. The handset with a helical antenna operating at 3 W in normal use will show compliance with the ICNIRP occupational exposure restriction but will be over the public exposure restriction by up to approximately 50% if kept in the position of maximum SAR for 6 min continuously.

The effect of photon scatter and consequent electron build-up in air on the calculation of dose equivalent quantities in the ICRU sphere for photon energies from 0.662 to 10 MeV.

A Monte Carlo computer program, DEIPHOS has been modified and employed to calculate depth-dose distributions within the 30 cm diameter ICRU tissue-equivalent sphere for initially parallel beams of photons (0.662 to 10 MeV) when the sphere is in an air medium. Dose equivalent values are computed as the sum of two contributions, the dose equivalent when the sphere is in vacuo and the dose equivalent from scattered photons and the corresponding electrons and positrons produced in an air column in front of the sphere. The dimensions of the air cylinder required to attain full electronic equilibrium were derived for each photon energy. The calculation of absorbed dose to air in air is described. Dose equivalents at 300 and 1000 mg cm-2 depths, the restricted dose equivalent indices, the average dose equivalent in the sphere as well as depth-dose equivalent and angle-dose equivalent distributions are presented, normalised both to fluence and absorbed dose to air.