A methodology for the measurement of the specific absorption rate of magnetic scaffolds

Deep-seated tumors can be treated performing local interstitial hyperthermia treatment (HT), using thermoseeds exposed to a radiofrequency magnetic field. Several novel biocompatible magnetic nanostructured thermoseeds, defined magnetic scaffolds (MagS), are available to this aim. In the literature, the methodology adopted for the evaluation of the heating potential is lab specific, but also characterized by variable experimental conditions and different protocols. In this work, a perspective critical comment and analysis of the experimental protocols is provided. Then, a robust estimation methodology of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of MagS for the HT is provided, supported by numerical multiphysics simulations, an experimentally tested. The simulations highlight that overestimation in the SAR values can result from the sample misplacement. From the experimental analysis, it is found that the averaging of multiple temperature records is needed to reliably and effectively estimate the SAR of MagS for DST HT.