The potential of radio waves in medical treatment

The use of radio frequency (RF)- and microwave (MW) energy has found widespread adoption in medical applications. Ranging from well-established diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging, over treatment techniques like electrosurgery, diathermy and ablation to more recent developments to heat intravenous liquids or diagnostic assays for disease.

In his talk Klaus Werner, director of pinkRF, will give a couple of application examples and explain why RF- and MW-energy can be instrumental to a number of novel diagnostic and treatment applications.

pinkRF is involved in this field by developing energy sources (RF- and microwave generators) as well as applicators. An applicator is the actual volume where the electromagnetic energy interacts with the absorbing medium or object.

About Klaus Werner

After studying physics at the University of Aachen, he came to Delft University of Technology to further develop CVD systems for semiconductor technology, where he stayed for eight years and working on silicon germanium growth in CVD-type systems. After 10 years at the MOS-3 fab in Nijmegen he joined the Philips team responsible for laser displacement sensors.

A few years later he became part of the RF power group at NXP. “The group was mostly concerned with the development of semiconductor technology and devices for high-power, high-frequency applications of RF. Most notably, in the areas of base stations for the cellular network, telephone, radar systems, and to a large extent, radio-TV transmission.” But it was while he was there at NXP that he saw people were applying the electromagnetic waves not for communications and data but using their sheer energy to power plasmas for lasers, lights and even medical applications, for example in hyperthermia.

Practical Details

• Date:   Tuesday 6 September, 2022
• Time:   15.30-16.30h (CEST)
• Location: online

This event is an initiative of the HTSM Roadmap Electronics team, in cooperation with High Tech NL/Holland Semiconductors.

Powered by a Holland High Tech MIT-Network activities (MIT-regeling-NetwerkActiviteiten) grant.