Implantable hyperthermia device and system

Abstract

A system for generating heat and sensing the temperature in an internal body organ such as in a tumor and for gaining information about the tumor for diagnosis and other purposes comprising a first system portion which is preferably entirely implantable beneath the skin of the person being treated or diagnosed including a probe device having electrical heater and sensor elements in it for implanting extending into the tumor to be treated and including an internal control unit also implantable under the skin and operatively connected to the heater and sensor elements in the probe, the internal control unit also including an electronic control unit for controlling the energizing of the heater element and having a sensor responsive portion responsive to the temperature sensed by the sensor element, and a transmitter/receiver device and a second system portion including an external control unit having a transmitter/receiver device for positioning on the skin adjacent to the internal transmitter/receiver device for exchanging information between the internal and the external control units, the external control unit also including a computer and associated computer control devices and software. The external control unit also includes system elements for controlling the application of electric energy to the heater element to generate heat in the body organ. The internal control unit may also include a rechargeable energy source rechargeable under control of the external control unit.