Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) is a novel treatment modality for malignant solid tumors, often employing electric field simulations to analyze the distribution of electric fields on the tumor under different parameters of TTFields. Due to the present difficulties and high costs associated with reproducing or implementing the simulation model construction techniques, this study used readily available open-source software tools to construct a highly accurate, easily implementable finite element simulation model for TTFields. The accuracy of the model is at a level of 1 mm3. Using this simulation model, the study carried out analyses of different factors, such as tissue electrical parameters and electrode configurations. The results show that factors influncing the distribution of the internal electric field of the tumor include changes in scalp and skull conductivity (with a maximum variation of 21.0% in the treatment field of the tumor), changes in tumor conductivity (with a maximum variation of 157.8% in the treatment field of the tumor), and different electrode positions and combinations (with a maximum variation of 74.2% in the treatment field of the tumor). In summary, the results of this study validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed modeling method, which can provide an important reference for future simulation analyses of TTFields and clinical applications.
Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique utilizing infrared or near-infrared light. Clarifying the energy deposition patterns and safe dose thresholds within realistic anatomical head structures is crucial for advancing its clinical application. However, existing studies often rely on simplified models for numerical simulation, which may fail to accurately capture the influence of cortical sulci and gyri on light propagation and thermal diffusion. This study established a high-resolution (1 mm3) anatomically realistic human head model using the finite element method, and developed an optical-thermal multiphysics coupling framework to systematically simulate and analyze key parameters, including power density and wavelength, to evaluate light penetration depth and tissue temperature elevation characteristics. The results demonstrated that approximately 0.05% of the incident optical power penetrated to the cortical gray matter. As the power density increased, scalp temperature elevation reached up to 5.22 °C, and brain temperature elevation reached up to 0.49 °C, with a distinct “halo” scattering effect observed within the cerebrospinal fluid layer. These simulation results systematically revealed the photothermal propagation characteristics and tissue thermal responses of tPBM in realistic head anatomy, providing an important theoretical basis for defining safe dose thresholds and optimizing individualized stimulation parameters.