Dr. Arye Rosen

The use of RF/microwaves in medicine has increased dramatically over the last ten years. RF and microwave therapies for the treatment of cancer in humans are well documented, and are presently used in many cancer centers. RF treatments for supra ventricular arrhythmias, and more recently for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia, are currently employed by major hospitals. RF/microwaves are also used in human subjects for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the last few years, several otolaryngological centers have been utilizing RF to treat upper airway obstruction and to alleviate sleep apnea. Many centers also utilize RF for the treatment of gastro-esophageal disease (GERD), for pain management, and for endometrial ablation. Balloon microwave catheters for ablating solid tumors, then forming cavities in those tumors for the local delivery of therapeutic agents, are currently being investigated. New modalities are being studied, such as RF/microwave for the enhancement of drug absorption and microwave septic wound treatment, microwave imaging for the detection of breast cancer, epidemiological studies on the effects of rats’ exposure to microwave, as well as tissue regeneration using electromagnetic fields. In addition, technology is presently being developed that allows for permanent implantation of microwave wireless sensors in humans. A permanently implantable intra-cranial pressure monitor is one such application of the latter technology. Many more areas of research are currently being investigated, a partial list of which is summarized in the introduction.

Dr. Arye Rosen (M’77–SM’80–F’92) received the Masters degree in engineering from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, the M.Sc. degree in physiology from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Rosen, has been involved in research and development of microwave/millimeter-wave devices and circuits, microwave optical interaction, high-power semiconductor lasers and the utilization of energies for application in therapeutic medicine for the past 40 years. He also holds the title of Associate in Medicine at Jefferson Medical College, where he has been engaged in research in the Division of Cardiology since 1970. He has authored more than 200 technical papers, co-edited two books and authored six book-chapters in the field of engineering and medicine. He holds over 60 U.S. patents in the fields of engineering and medicine. Dr. Rosen is an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering, "For contributions to microwave and laser technologies and the medical applications of these technologies." (2002). He is an Elected Member of The Franklin Institute's Committee on Science and the Arts (2003), and a Member of the John Scott Award Advisory Committee, City of Philadelphia Board of Directors of City Trusts (2004). He is a Life Fellow of IEEE, elected in 1992 "For innovation in semiconductor devices and circuits for use in microwave systems and for microwave applications to medicine." He was IEEE Distinguished Microwave Lecturer from 1997 to 2000, during which time he has presented his and the work of others in the U.S., Japan, Europe and the Middle East. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the IEEE Third Millennium Medal (January 2000) and an IEEE Microwave Application Award (June 2000). He was also the recipient of a 1989 IEEE Region One Award and a 1997 Drexel University College of Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Distinguished Alumni Award.