Prediction of Tumor Temperature in Regional Hyperthermia by Using LED Luminance

Hyperthermia is used to destroy tumors by generating heat in the body (40–45 °C). In particular, regional hyperthermia entails intense heating of tumors rather than raising the temperature of the body. In regional hyperthermia, the prediction of the tumor temperature before treatment is essential to ensure treatment efficiency and patient safety. The goal of this study is to predict the temperature of tumors in regional hyperthermia by using a light emitting diode (LED). LED luminance shows a linear relationship with current above a certain voltage. Thus, the temperature may be predicted via LED luminance based on these electrical characteristics, Special Absorption Rate (SAR), and Pennes’ Bio-heat Transfer Equation. LED was located in the agar phantom at the same intervals to measure the luminance, and measure temperature at same spot using thermometer and well verified using a commercialized simulation program (Sim4Life). Within the range of electrode size, the difference in luminance between the predicted and the measured temperatures was within 2.5%. In addition, the difference between the predicted temperature and the result of the simulation program was within 1.5%. In this study, the tumor temperature in regional hyperthermia was predicted using LED luminance to ensure treatment accuracy and patient safety. This study showed the possibility of temperature prediction based on LED luminance.