Numerical Modeling and Computer Simulation of a Meander Line Antenna for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment, a Feasibility Study.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain disorder that eventually causes memory loss and the ability to perform simple cognitive functions; research efforts within pharmaceuticals and other medical treatments have minimal impact on the disease. Our preliminary biological studies showed that Repeated Electromagnetic Field Stimulation (REFMS) applying an EM frequency of 64 MHz and a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 - 0.9 W/kg decrease the level of amyloid- peptides (A), which is the most likely etiology of AD. This study emphasizes uniform E/H field and SAR distribution with adequate penetration depth penetration through multiple human head layers driven with low input power for safety treatments. In this work, we performed numerical modeling and computer simulations of a portable Meander Line antenna (MLA) to achieve the required EMF parameters to treat AD. The MLA device features a low cost, small size, wide bandwidth, and the ability to integrate into a portable system. This study utilized a High-Frequency Simulation System (HFSS) in the design of the MLA with the desired characteristics suited for AD treatment in humans. The team designed a 24-turn antenna with a 60 cm length and 25 cm width and achieved the required resonant frequency of 64 MHz. Here we used two numerical human head phantoms to test the antenna, the MIDA and spherical head phantom with six and seven tissue layers, respectively. The antenna was fed from a 50-Watt input source to obtain the SAR of 0.6 W/kg requirement in the center of the simulated brain tissue layer. We found that the E/H field and SAR distribution produced was not homogeneous; there were areas of high SAR values close to the antenna transmitter, also areas of low SAR value far away from the antenna. This paper details the antenna parameters, the scattering parameters response, the efficiency response, and the E and H field distribution; we presented the computer simulation results and discussed future work for a practical model.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Using HFSS, a 24-turn meander line antenna was designed to resonate at 64 MHz and simulated with MIDA and spherical multi-layer head phantoms. With a 50 W input, simulations achieved a SAR of about 0.6 W/kg in the center of the simulated brain layer, but the E/H field and SAR distributions were not homogeneous, showing high SAR near the transmitter and low SAR farther away.

Outcomes measured

• Antenna design feasibility for repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (REFMS) at 64 MHz
• Simulated E/H field distribution in human head phantoms
• Simulated SAR distribution and penetration through head tissue layers
• Ability to achieve target SAR (~0.6 W/kg) in center of simulated brain tissue

Limitations

• Numerical modeling/computer simulation only; no human or animal exposure outcomes reported in this study
• Field/SAR distribution was not homogeneous in simulations
• Exposure duration and stimulation protocol details not provided in the abstract

{
    "study_type": "engineering",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "medical device (meander line antenna)",
        "frequency_mhz": 64,
        "sar_wkg": 0.40000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Antenna design feasibility for repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (REFMS) at 64 MHz",
        "Simulated E/H field distribution in human head phantoms",
        "Simulated SAR distribution and penetration through head tissue layers",
        "Ability to achieve target SAR (~0.6 W/kg) in center of simulated brain tissue"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Using HFSS, a 24-turn meander line antenna was designed to resonate at 64 MHz and simulated with MIDA and spherical multi-layer head phantoms. With a 50 W input, simulations achieved a SAR of about 0.6 W/kg in the center of the simulated brain layer, but the E/H field and SAR distributions were not homogeneous, showing high SAR near the transmitter and low SAR farther away.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Numerical modeling/computer simulation only; no human or animal exposure outcomes reported in this study",
        "Field/SAR distribution was not homogeneous in simulations",
        "Exposure duration and stimulation protocol details not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "very_low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "Alzheimer's disease",
        "repeated electromagnetic field stimulation",
        "REFMS",
        "meander line antenna",
        "HFSS",
        "64 MHz",
        "SAR",
        "head phantom",
        "MIDA",
        "E-field",
        "H-field",
        "numerical simulation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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