Course Topics
The course starts by reviewing the basics of the interaction between EM fields and bio-systems, from both the points of view of the engineer and of the biologist; it also addresses the specific technological challenges that diagnostic and therapeutic applications of EM fields pose, owing to their multi-physics nature. Safety and regulatory aspects are also discussed.
The second part of the course deals with selected clinical applications in both therapy and diagnostics. A specific focus of this year will be on thermal EM therapies for cancer treatment.
The course is complemented with on-site visits at a clinical MRI facility and at the Bio-electromagnetism laboratory of the Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA-CNR).
Detailed Course Breakdown
Fundamentals of EM fields and biological systems
Fields, waves and matter
Bio-heat equation and thermal effects
Basics of antennas design for medical applications
Electromagnetic characterization of biological tissues
Introduction to Bioelectromagnetism
Bioelectromagnetics: methods and exposure systems
Review of known effects of EM fields and interaction mechanisms
Safety and open issues
Regulatory aspects
Radio-protection legislation (exposure and SAR)
EM in the Clinical Practice
Overview of main clinical EM applications
Focus on EM thermal therapies
Clinical challenges in microwave and RF Ablation
EM hyperthermia in radiation oncology
Magnetic resonance imaging
Emerging applications and future trends
Microwave imaging for medical diagnostics
Nano-inspired applications
Electroporation based-therapy
Complementary activities
Visit at MRI clinical facility
Visit at Bioelectromagnetics lab @ CNR-IREA