Hyperthermia treatment and probe therefor

Abstract

A probe that emits energy to coagulate lesions is disclosed. The probe is constructed and arranged to emit light from its distal end, either at an angle to its longitudinal axis, or along its longitudinal axis. Optionally, an end reflector may be used to direct the energy in a beam to one side of the fiber end. An MRI system is arranged to generate a series of output signals indicative of temperature in the targeted area. The application of energy is stopped when the temperature at the boundary of the lesion reaches the required hyperthermic temperature. Cooling of the tip portion of the probe is effected by expansion of a supplied cooling fluid through a restrictive orifice into an expansion zone at the probe end to minimize collateral tissue damage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 957,876, filed on Dec. 17, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 701,834, filed Nov. 5, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,529, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 014,846, filed on Dec. 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,741 which is a continuation-in-part of International application Ser. No.: PCT / CA01 / 00905, filed on Jun. 15, 2001, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 593,699, filed on Jun. 15, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,337, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The treatment of tumors by hyperthermia is known. In one known process, tumors and other lesions to be treated can be heated above a predetermined temperature of the order of 55 C so as to coagulate the portion of tissue heated. The temperature range is preferably of the order of 55 to 65 C an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a method for controlling the temperature of a patient during surgery using MRI technology. The method involves monitoring the temperature of the patient's body and controlling the application of heat to the surgery area based on the temperature change. This helps to prevent overheating of cells outside the targeted tissue. The technical effect of this method is an improved non-invasive control system that ensures safe surgery.

Problems solved by technology

It is difficult therefore for the surgeon to effect a controlled heating which heats the entire lesion while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

The imaging system thus generates for the surgeon a location of the lesion to be excised but there is no system available which allows the surgeon to use the imaging system to control the heating effect.

The disclosure of the patent has not led to a commercially viable hyperthermic treatment system.

Again this patented arrangement has not led to a commercially viable hyperthermia surgical system.

This arrangement has not achieved commercial or medical success.

This arrangement however provides no feedback control of the heating effect.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,704 (Bille) assigned to MRC Systems GmbH issued Jul. 28, 1996 discloses a particular arrangement of laser beam and lens for use in irradiation of brain tumors but does not disclose methods of feedback control of the energy.

RI. However none of these papers describes an arrangement in which the energy is controlled by feedback from the monitoring arrangem

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