Experimental Assessment of an Epidermal RFID Sensor Grid for Skin Temperature Monitoring during Microwave Hyperthermia

Abstract

Microwave hyperthermia is an emerging anti-cancer therapy with the potential to improve the outcomes of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, the application of high power electromagnetic fields to the skin can cause thermal damage and discomfort to patients. To address this issue, a novel epidermal RadioFrequency Identification (RFID)-based Thermal Monitoring Sheet (R-TMS) was previously introduced by authors as a wireless, low-cost, noninvasive, and easy-to-use solution for skin temperature monitoring purposes during the treatment. R-TMS is a planar grid of RFID antennas embedded with temperature-sensing Integrated Circuits (ICs), operating in the Ultra-High-Frequency (UHF) band, and designed to be placed in direct contact with the skin to provide a real-time temperature spatial map. Authors demonstrated that R-TMS is electromagnetic compatible with superficial microwave hyperthermia, ensuring patient safety and treatment effectiveness. In this paper, preliminary experimental results demonstrate the R-TMS capability to provide a real-time 2D temperature spatial map, as well as its sensing accuracy and reliability.