Investigation of Radiofrequency Radiation Effects on Excitable Tissues
Abstract
The effects of 2450-MHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on excitable membranes were studied. Spherical aggregates of cultured chick cardiac cells were used as the model excitable tissue. An exposure device was developed to deliver known amounts of RFR energy to the aggregate preparation. The device consists of a 1/4-inch semi-rigid coaxial cable which opens into a circular brass plate that serves as a ground plane. In our experiments, the brass plate is also used for regulated heating. The fringing field extending above the device aperture effectively couples to the culture medium in a 35-mm circular dish, with negligible radiated field outside the medium. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) inside the culture dish for two volumes of media was determined from measurements of electric fields and temperatures. Small dipole (2.9-mm) and monopole (2.7-mm) probes were used to perform field intensity measurements and 0.4-mm diameter high-resistivity thermistors attached to resistive leads were used to measure temperature rise. SAR was accurately determined as a function of input power and of position in the dish, with the maximum occurring at the center. The trends for greater variability have been suggested by all maximum upstroke velocity and interest interval data analyzed and are consistent with an RF perturbation of membrane molecular components. Additional studies are underway to see whether bulk heating can account for observed variabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA088067
Entities
People
- Everette C. Burdette
- R. C. Lantz
- Robert L. Dehaan
- Ronald L. Seaman
Organizations
- Georgia Tech