# Evaluation of SAR Distribution in Six-Layer Human Head Model

Authors: Asma Lak; Homayoon Oraizi
Journal: International Journal of Antennas and Propagation
 (2013)

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## Abstract

The interaction between human head model and electromagnetic field sources is studied. The head models are composed of one and six layers. The six layers are skin, fat, bone, dura (the outer membrane of brain and spinal cord), CSF (colony stimulating factor), and brain. An antenna as a source of exposure is simulated too. The E-field strength distribution in both one- and six-layer human models is shown to estimate the intensity of E-field penetration in human head. Like standard models, the antenna is situated near the head model at a distance of 5 mm. The local and average SARs (specific absorption rates) are simulated at 900 MHz in both human head models. The results are then compared between the two models. The HFSS software is used for all the simulations. The paper wants to show that the initial model (one layer) is not a good model, because the real human head tissue is not equivalently modeled. It seems that the values of one-layer model are not reliable, so the paper considers the better and more similar human head model and compares these two models.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

It is well known that high frequency EM fields can damage human and other biological tissues by damaging molecular structure and rising of body temperature.The biological effects of radiofrequency fields and living systems can be evaluated at various levels including the molecular, subcellular, organ, or whole body environments. According to [1, 2], bioeffects from radiofrequency fields are classified into three categories: that is, high-level effects (thermal), intermediate-level effects (athermal), and low-level effects (nonthermal). Thermal effects are energy depositions higher than the natural human thermoregulatory capacity. The studies show some effects due to nonthermal and athermal sources such as: blood brain barrier, morphology, immune system, gene and chromosomal morphology, enzyme activity, and tumour promotion. More information can be seen in [3–5]. In this paper dosimetry and SAR are defined. So the human head model (one and six layers) and an antenna as an exposure source are simulated in HFSS software. For validation of results two antenna types are used, dipole and PIFA. The results for SAR and E-field strength for these two models are shown and compared. Because of some limitations the standard phantom models are made of one layer. For example, because of the gel or liquid materials, it is not easy to model all tissues. For example, the human head is a multilayer tissue, and its modelling is very hard. These phantoms are not good models for the human tissue, because the real properties of tissues are different from each other. Also, the human head does not have equivalent electrical properties. So the Six-layer phantom model is the better model of human head to simulate.


## 2. Measurements of EM Field Absorption

In this part the dosimetry is introduced. Some parameters have been used to measure EM fields. The SAR as a quantity for EM measurement at radiofrequency spectrum is defined and finally the electrical properties of tissues, that is, conductivity and permittivity, are described.


### 2.1. Definition of Dosimetry

According to [7] the relationship between exposure levels and electromagnetic energy deposited in the body is called “electromagnetic dosimetry.” On the other hand, the electromagnetic dosimetry describes the relationship between the induced fields in biological bodies and distribution of an electromagnetic field in free space. Dosimetry information is very important to protect humans from probable electromagnetic field health hazards.


### 2.2. Specific Absorption Rate

By the widespread wireless device applications, such as mobile phones, the persons, and operators living and working in near electromagnetic sources, the biological effects of exposure to these electromagnetic fields are an important subject. The safety standards, such as the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), the International Commissions on Nonionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), are established for human protection and safety from electromagnetic fields. The specific absorption rate (SAR) is used to quantify the energy absorbed in tissues at radiofrequency spectrum, which is expressed in units of watts per kilogram. SAR is defined as the ratio of the absorbed power to the absorbing mass [7, 8]. The total power absorbed in the human body is
(1)Pabs=∫V12σ|E|2dV,
where σ is the conductivity of tissue, E is the electric field intensity, and V is the volume of the biological tissue. SAR is defined as
(2)SAR=(σ2ρ)Ei2,
where σ is the conductivity of tissue, E is is the electric field intensity and ρ is the mass density of the tissue.


### 2.3. Human Tissues

Human body tissues have different values of dielectric properties, that is, permittivity and conductivity [9]. These properties are functions of several variables, such as frequency, geometry and size of tissue, and water contents. For example, the dielectric constant of a high water content tissue is shown in Figure 1, as a function of frequency.Figure 1
Dielectric properties spectrum of a high water content tissue [3].


## 2.1. Definition of Dosimetry

According to [7] the relationship between exposure levels and electromagnetic energy deposited in the body is called “electromagnetic dosimetry.” On the other hand, the electromagnetic dosimetry describes the relationship between the induced fields in biological bodies and distribution of an electromagnetic field in free space. Dosimetry information is very important to protect humans from probable electromagnetic field health hazards.


## 2.2. Specific Absorption Rate

By the widespread wireless device applications, such as mobile phones, the persons, and operators living and working in near electromagnetic sources, the biological effects of exposure to these electromagnetic fields are an important subject. The safety standards, such as the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), the International Commissions on Nonionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), and National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), are established for human protection and safety from electromagnetic fields. The specific absorption rate (SAR) is used to quantify the energy absorbed in tissues at radiofrequency spectrum, which is expressed in units of watts per kilogram. SAR is defined as the ratio of the absorbed power to the absorbing mass [7, 8]. The total power absorbed in the human body is
(1)Pabs=∫V12σ|E|2dV,
where σ is the conductivity of tissue, E is the electric field intensity, and V is the volume of the biological tissue. SAR is defined as
(2)SAR=(σ2ρ)Ei2,
where σ is the conductivity of tissue, E is is the electric field intensity and ρ is the mass density of the tissue.


## 2.3. Human Tissues

Human body tissues have different values of dielectric properties, that is, permittivity and conductivity [9]. These properties are functions of several variables, such as frequency, geometry and size of tissue, and water contents. For example, the dielectric constant of a high water content tissue is shown in Figure 1, as a function of frequency.Figure 1
Dielectric properties spectrum of a high water content tissue [3].


## 3. Simulations

Many researchers have simulated, measured, and evaluated the probable biological effects of EM fields on the human and other living systems. Several researchers have simulated the human body models, specially the human head and have evaluated the effective parameters on SAR [11–14].


### 3.1. Phantoms

Measurements of SAR and EM fields in the human body are not possible; consequently, the phantoms have been designed to model the human body at normal body temperatures. They have many shapes, such as spherical and human-like bodies. The liquids or gels as materials to tissues are placed in phantoms and exposure source is situated near them. One robot arm will then measure the E or H field by a probe placed at various locations near the model. A computer processor calculates the SAR. These measurement systems have several problems.


### 3.2. Modelling by HFSS Software

Because of the available commercial systems, the common models for SAR measurements are a thin bowl (a 5 mm thickness shell with 4.6 relative permittivity) containing fully the head (brain) tissue equivalent materials. Figure2 shows this commercial model.Figure 2
One-layer human head model defined in HFSS software.Then a six-layer human head model has been tried instead of a one-layer common phantom model, because it models the real human head in a much better way as shown in Figure3. This new model is composed of six spheres, similar to a six-layer model for the human head, that is, skin, fat, bone, dura, CSF, and brain as shown in Figure 4.Figure 3
Six-layer human head model defined in HFSS software.Figure 4
The perspective of Six-layer human head model [6].Tables1, 2, and 3 show the model properties and dimensions in HFSS simulations.Table 1
Specifications of one-layer head.
Tissue
Permittivity
Conductivity(S/m)
Thickness(mm)
Head equivalentmaterial
41.5
0.9
85
Shell
4.6
0
5Table 2
Other specifications of model.
Dipole length
149 mm
power
1 Watt
SAR line●
180 mm
●SAR line is a line that HFSS software measures the SAR around it.Table 3
Tissue properties and thickness of six-layer human head model [6].
Tissue
Permittivity
Conductivity (S/m)
Thickness (mm)
Skin
40.7
0.65
1
Fat
10
0.17
0.14
Bone
20.9
0.33
0.41
Dura
40.7
0.65
0.5
CSF
79.1
2.14
0.2
Brain
41.1
0.86
81


### 3.3. Source Exposure

A dipole antenna has been used as the exposure source as shown in Figure5. The antenna is situated at 5 mm distance from the head models in both one- and six- layer models. The simulations have been done at frequency 900 MHz. The length of antenna is 149 mm, its radius is 1.8 mm and the frequency of operation is 900 MHz.Figure 5
Dipole antenna.


### 3.4. Characteristics of Models

All specifications of the one- and six-layer human head model and dipole antenna are shown in Tables1 to 3.


## 3.1. Phantoms

Measurements of SAR and EM fields in the human body are not possible; consequently, the phantoms have been designed to model the human body at normal body temperatures. They have many shapes, such as spherical and human-like bodies. The liquids or gels as materials to tissues are placed in phantoms and exposure source is situated near them. One robot arm will then measure the E or H field by a probe placed at various locations near the model. A computer processor calculates the SAR. These measurement systems have several problems.


## 3.2. Modelling by HFSS Software

Because of the available commercial systems, the common models for SAR measurements are a thin bowl (a 5 mm thickness shell with 4.6 relative permittivity) containing fully the head (brain) tissue equivalent materials. Figure2 shows this commercial model.Figure 2
One-layer human head model defined in HFSS software.Then a six-layer human head model has been tried instead of a one-layer common phantom model, because it models the real human head in a much better way as shown in Figure3. This new model is composed of six spheres, similar to a six-layer model for the human head, that is, skin, fat, bone, dura, CSF, and brain as shown in Figure 4.Figure 3
Six-layer human head model defined in HFSS software.Figure 4
The perspective of Six-layer human head model [6].Tables1, 2, and 3 show the model properties and dimensions in HFSS simulations.Table 1
Specifications of one-layer head.
Tissue
Permittivity
Conductivity(S/m)
Thickness(mm)
Head equivalentmaterial
41.5
0.9
85
Shell
4.6
0
5Table 2
Other specifications of model.
Dipole length
149 mm
power
1 Watt
SAR line●
180 mm
●SAR line is a line that HFSS software measures the SAR around it.Table 3
Tissue properties and thickness of six-layer human head model [6].
Tissue
Permittivity
Conductivity (S/m)
Thickness (mm)
Skin
40.7
0.65
1
Fat
10
0.17
0.14
Bone
20.9
0.33
0.41
Dura
40.7
0.65
0.5
CSF
79.1
2.14
0.2
Brain
41.1
0.86
81


## 3.3. Source Exposure

A dipole antenna has been used as the exposure source as shown in Figure5. The antenna is situated at 5 mm distance from the head models in both one- and six- layer models. The simulations have been done at frequency 900 MHz. The length of antenna is 149 mm, its radius is 1.8 mm and the frequency of operation is 900 MHz.Figure 5
Dipole antenna.


## 3.4. Characteristics of Models

All specifications of the one- and six-layer human head model and dipole antenna are shown in Tables1 to 3.


## 4. Results

In this section the results of human head model in one and six layer and antenna model both dipole and PIFA are shown. Also the results for SAR and electric fields strength are compared.


### 4.1.  “One-Layer” Human Head Model  with Dipole Antenna at 0.9 GHz

This model consists of a shell with 5 mm thickness and a sphere with 85 mm radius as the head equivalent materials. According to (2), the SAR has a direct relationship to the E-field strength. Because of the importance of the electric field in SAR calculations, the E-field strength distribution in the one-layer head model is shown in Figure 6. The maximum value is at the nearest point to the source exposure (red colour). The local and average SAR as a function of the distance between the dipole and the head model is shown in Figure 7.Figure 6
E-field strength distribution in one-layer human head model at 900 MHz.Figure 7
Head model as a function of the distance between the dipole and the head model.


### 4.2. “Six-Layer” Human Head Model with Dipole Antenna at 0.9 GH

The E-field distribution in the six-layer model is simulated and shown in Figures8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. The E-field strength is simulated in all the six layers, by the aforementioned procedure.Figure 8
E-field strength in brain tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 9
E-field strength in CSF tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 10
E-field strength in Dura tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 11
E-field strength in bone tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 12
E-field strength in fat tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 13
E-field strength in skin tissue at 900 MHz.The result of simulations is shown in the Table4. As shown the E-field strength is decreasing by the distance from the source, consequently the maximum value of E-field strength in the brain tissue as an internal layer is the lowest.Table 4
E-field strength in six-layer model, dipole antenna.
Tissue
E-field strength (V/m)
Skin
1.80× 102
Fat
1.77× 102
Bone
1.67× 102
Dura
1.40× 102
Csf
1.37× 102
Brain
1.21× 102The comparison of SAR between one- and six-layer head models are given in Table5.Table 5
Compression between SAR in two models (one- and six-layer model by Dipole antenna).
Max SAR (Watt/Kg)
Layer
Conductivity
Local SAR
Average SAR
One layer + dipole
Shell
0
0
0
Head equivalent material
0.9
1.8× 10+1
1.2× 10+1
Six layers + dipole
Skin
0.65
1.39× 10+2
2.2× 10+1
Fat
0.17
3. 57× 10+1
7.77
Bone
0.33
5.06× 10+1
2.05× 10+1
Dura
0.65
6.6× 10+1
7.83
CSF
2.14
2.16× 10+2
7.75× 10+1
Brain
0.86
8.8× 10+1
4.5× 10+1The values show that the maximum of SAR strength in the six layers is more than one layer. It says that the standard model (that is used in standard systems) may be not suitable and complete and does not show the accurate model of human tissues.


### 4.3. “Six-Layer” Human Head Model with PIFA Antenna at 0.9 GHz

For further consideration of the problem, simulation is repeated for head model, but with PIFA antenna at 900 MHz [10]. The geometry of antenna is shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16. The other specifications of the model are according to Table 1. The results for the E-field strength and SAR simulations are shown in Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.Figure 14
The structure of PIFA antenna at 0.9 GHz [10]. *Height of the antenna patch from the ground plane is the 7.5 mm.Figure 15
PIFA antenna at 900 MHz.Figure 16
Six-layer human head model with PIFA antenna.Figure 17
E-field strength in brain tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 18
E-field strength in CSF tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 19
E-field strength in Dura tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 20
E-field strength in bone tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 21
E-field strength in fat tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 22
E-field strength in skin tissue at 900 MHz.The results show that the E-field strength is decreasing by increasing the distance from the source: consequently, the maximum value of E-field strength in the brain tissue at the internal layer is the lowest. The results for PIFA antenna are similar to those of dipole antenna, with regards to the decreasing values of SAR with increasing the distance between the source and head. Table6 shows the results for PIFA antenna.Table 6
E-field strength in six layers (PIFA antenna).
Tissue
E-field strength (V/m)
Skin
7.99×10−1
Fat
7.8× 10−1
Bone
7.4× 10−1
Dura
6.4× 10−1
CSF
6.2× 10−1
Brain
5.2× 10−1Table7 shows the SAR maximum strength values in one- and six-layer model by PIFA antenna as a source exposure. According to these results it has been seen that the SAR values in these simulation depend on the distance from antenna and conductivity value of tissues. For example in one-layer model shell is the nearer layer to the exposure source, so although it has lower conductivity, the SAR is more than head equivalent material. Also in six-layer model the SAR is varied by conductivity and distance from the exposure source too. For example, dura and skin have same conductivity but the skin is the nearer layer to antenna, so it has more SAR.Table 7
Compression between SAR in two models (one- and six-layer model by PIFA antenna).
Max SAR (watt/Kg)
Layer
Conductivity
Local SAR
Average SAR
One layer + PIFA
Shell
0
0
0
Head equivalent material
0.9
1.27×10−4
0.83×10−4
Six layers + PIFA
Skin
0.65
2.4×10−3
1.27×10−3
Fat
0.17
1.4×10−3
0.9×10−3
Bone
0.33
1×10−3
0.99×10−3
Dura
0.65
1.5×10−3
0.52×10−3
CSF
2.14
5×10−3
3.2×10−3
Brain
0.86
2×10−3
1.47×10−3The penetration of fields on human body, for example, human head, has been considered by many researchers. Some of these researches are in simulation by software and some of them are done by measurement systems (human phantom models). For more information the references [15–18] can be seen. So, at the same frequency of exposure source, the results may be different because of the difference in human body model.


## 4.1.  “One-Layer” Human Head Model  with Dipole Antenna at 0.9 GHz

This model consists of a shell with 5 mm thickness and a sphere with 85 mm radius as the head equivalent materials. According to (2), the SAR has a direct relationship to the E-field strength. Because of the importance of the electric field in SAR calculations, the E-field strength distribution in the one-layer head model is shown in Figure 6. The maximum value is at the nearest point to the source exposure (red colour). The local and average SAR as a function of the distance between the dipole and the head model is shown in Figure 7.Figure 6
E-field strength distribution in one-layer human head model at 900 MHz.Figure 7
Head model as a function of the distance between the dipole and the head model.


## 4.2. “Six-Layer” Human Head Model with Dipole Antenna at 0.9 GH

The E-field distribution in the six-layer model is simulated and shown in Figures8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. The E-field strength is simulated in all the six layers, by the aforementioned procedure.Figure 8
E-field strength in brain tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 9
E-field strength in CSF tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 10
E-field strength in Dura tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 11
E-field strength in bone tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 12
E-field strength in fat tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 13
E-field strength in skin tissue at 900 MHz.The result of simulations is shown in the Table4. As shown the E-field strength is decreasing by the distance from the source, consequently the maximum value of E-field strength in the brain tissue as an internal layer is the lowest.Table 4
E-field strength in six-layer model, dipole antenna.
Tissue
E-field strength (V/m)
Skin
1.80× 102
Fat
1.77× 102
Bone
1.67× 102
Dura
1.40× 102
Csf
1.37× 102
Brain
1.21× 102The comparison of SAR between one- and six-layer head models are given in Table5.Table 5
Compression between SAR in two models (one- and six-layer model by Dipole antenna).
Max SAR (Watt/Kg)
Layer
Conductivity
Local SAR
Average SAR
One layer + dipole
Shell
0
0
0
Head equivalent material
0.9
1.8× 10+1
1.2× 10+1
Six layers + dipole
Skin
0.65
1.39× 10+2
2.2× 10+1
Fat
0.17
3. 57× 10+1
7.77
Bone
0.33
5.06× 10+1
2.05× 10+1
Dura
0.65
6.6× 10+1
7.83
CSF
2.14
2.16× 10+2
7.75× 10+1
Brain
0.86
8.8× 10+1
4.5× 10+1The values show that the maximum of SAR strength in the six layers is more than one layer. It says that the standard model (that is used in standard systems) may be not suitable and complete and does not show the accurate model of human tissues.


## 4.3. “Six-Layer” Human Head Model with PIFA Antenna at 0.9 GHz

For further consideration of the problem, simulation is repeated for head model, but with PIFA antenna at 900 MHz [10]. The geometry of antenna is shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16. The other specifications of the model are according to Table 1. The results for the E-field strength and SAR simulations are shown in Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.Figure 14
The structure of PIFA antenna at 0.9 GHz [10]. *Height of the antenna patch from the ground plane is the 7.5 mm.Figure 15
PIFA antenna at 900 MHz.Figure 16
Six-layer human head model with PIFA antenna.Figure 17
E-field strength in brain tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 18
E-field strength in CSF tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 19
E-field strength in Dura tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 20
E-field strength in bone tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 21
E-field strength in fat tissue at 900 MHz.Figure 22
E-field strength in skin tissue at 900 MHz.The results show that the E-field strength is decreasing by increasing the distance from the source: consequently, the maximum value of E-field strength in the brain tissue at the internal layer is the lowest. The results for PIFA antenna are similar to those of dipole antenna, with regards to the decreasing values of SAR with increasing the distance between the source and head. Table6 shows the results for PIFA antenna.Table 6
E-field strength in six layers (PIFA antenna).
Tissue
E-field strength (V/m)
Skin
7.99×10−1
Fat
7.8× 10−1
Bone
7.4× 10−1
Dura
6.4× 10−1
CSF
6.2× 10−1
Brain
5.2× 10−1Table7 shows the SAR maximum strength values in one- and six-layer model by PIFA antenna as a source exposure. According to these results it has been seen that the SAR values in these simulation depend on the distance from antenna and conductivity value of tissues. For example in one-layer model shell is the nearer layer to the exposure source, so although it has lower conductivity, the SAR is more than head equivalent material. Also in six-layer model the SAR is varied by conductivity and distance from the exposure source too. For example, dura and skin have same conductivity but the skin is the nearer layer to antenna, so it has more SAR.Table 7
Compression between SAR in two models (one- and six-layer model by PIFA antenna).
Max SAR (watt/Kg)
Layer
Conductivity
Local SAR
Average SAR
One layer + PIFA
Shell
0
0
0
Head equivalent material
0.9
1.27×10−4
0.83×10−4
Six layers + PIFA
Skin
0.65
2.4×10−3
1.27×10−3
Fat
0.17
1.4×10−3
0.9×10−3
Bone
0.33
1×10−3
0.99×10−3
Dura
0.65
1.5×10−3
0.52×10−3
CSF
2.14
5×10−3
3.2×10−3
Brain
0.86
2×10−3
1.47×10−3The penetration of fields on human body, for example, human head, has been considered by many researchers. Some of these researches are in simulation by software and some of them are done by measurement systems (human phantom models). For more information the references [15–18] can be seen. So, at the same frequency of exposure source, the results may be different because of the difference in human body model.


## 5. Conclusions

The simulations are done at 900MHz, because it is the standard for the mobile communication systems. The resulting data show that when the human body tissue especially the human head (because of placing the cell phone near the head) is exposed to EM fields; the fields penetrate in all the human head tissues. The E-field strength penetration and SAR deposition depend on tissue material properties (conductivity, permittivity, and permeability). By increasing the conductivity, SAR increases too. In this paper two human head models have been used, one and six layer. The one-layer human head model is simple and easy to use for simulation and measurement system, because the human body equivalent materials are gel or liquid in commercial SAR measurement system. But it has no assurance and the measurements are not reliable, because it does not show a good and real model of human head.So Six-layer head model has been used. In Tables 5 and 7, the local and average SAR for one and six layer is shown. The compression of both local and average SAR in six-layer models is more than one layer. Furthermore, the commercial models (viz., one layer model) may not be good models for the human body, because the results show that the EM field penetration is higher in a six-layer model. So the design of a better model is unavoidable for the study of the exposure of human body to EM field sources. The result for another mobile antenna, that is, PIFA is repeated and showes similar results. Results show that by PIFA antenna the E-field strengths are very lower. According to (2) the SAR is lower too.



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*Source: 580872-2013-01-15.xml*