Evaluation of three temperature measurement methods used during microwave thermotherapy of prostatic enlargement

• Published in: International journal of hyperthermia Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 300 - 316
• Main Author: Wren, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Informa UK Ltd 01.05.2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood coagulation; Fiber Optic Technology; fibreoptic; Hematology; Humans; Hyperthermia, Induced - methods; Intensive care medicine; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; microwave thermotherapy; Microwaves - therapeutic use; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Phantoms, Imaging; prostate; Prostatic Hyperplasia - physiopathology; Prostatic Hyperplasia - therapy; radiometric thermometry; Radiometry; TECHNOLOGY; TEKNIKVETENSKAP; Temperature; temperature distribution; Temperature measurement; thermocouple; Thermometers; Temperature measurement; Intensive care; Measurement method; Resuscitation
• DOI: 10.1080/02656730310001619947
• ISSN: 0265-6736; 1464-5157

Three temperature measurement methods used during microwave thermotherapy of prostatic enlargement are analysed and evaluated using a phantom model. A commercial transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) system that uses a radiometric thermometer for temperature control was used to heat the phantom. The transient temperature distribution was obtained by using both fibreoptic (which is considered as gold standard) and thermocouple measurements. Both methods are subject to potential measurement errors caused by electromagnetic and or thermal interference. The error sources are analysed and the measurement methods evaluated. The radiometric temperature and especially its relation to the transient temperature distribution was evaluated based on the fibreoptic and thermocouple measurements. These measurements in principle gave equivalent temperature distributions, and thermal interference was concluded to be the largest source of measurement error. The radiometric measurement method gave qualitative rather than quantitative readings of the temperature, and an underestimation of more than 10°C was obtained for some parts of the heated area. The area that gives most of the radiometric signal was relatively close to the catheter in contrast to previously published results.