Design of open ended circular waveguide for non-invasive monitoring of cranial healing in pediatric craniosynostosis

This article deals with design parameters of open ended circular waveguide (OECW) for non-invasive monitoring of skull healing in pediatric craniosynostosis patients post cranial surgery. The surgery involves removal of one or a set of bone flaps from the patient's skull. The defect thus created is filled with bone dust and heals by itself over time but complications like non-unions could occur, thereby, necessitating regular monitoring of the healing process. In this article, results of the simulated interaction of the waveguide with the skull healing are presented. Extensive optimization process is performed to arrive at optimal design parameters of the waveguide. Frequency of operation and the material that fills the waveguide are investigated to improve the sensitivity of detection and enhance the monitoring of three different stages of cranial healing.