Abstract: In the present invention heat is directed to the hypothalamus of a warm-blooded animal, utilizing the physiological mechanisms that regulate body temperature to effect a compensatory cooling response, thereby lowering body temperature. The invention relates generally to methods of treating cancer comprising inducing hypothermia by directing heat to the hypothalamus, optionally maintaining cancerous tissue at or near to normal body temperature, and optionally applying another cancer treatment. This other cancer treatment may be radiation therapy, chemotherapy, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, or some other cancer treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for inducing hypothermia in an animal. Known methods for inducing hypothermia all involve cooling the outside or inside of an animal, sometimes in conjuction with drugs that disable the animal's homeostatic responses. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for applying heat to the hypothalamus of a warm-blooded animal in order to utilize the physiological mechanisms that regulate body temperature to effect a compensatory cooling response, thereby lowering body temperature. It is new and unsuggested in the art to apply heat in an effort to reduce body temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for inducing hypothermia in an animal. Known methods for inducing hypothermia all involve cooling the outside or inside of an animal, sometimes in conjuction with drugs that disable the animal's homeostatic responses. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for applying heat to the hypothalamus of a warm-blooded animal in order to utilize the physiological mechanisms that regulate body temperature to effect a compensatory cooling response, thereby lowering body temperature. It is new and unsuggested in the art to apply heat in an effort to reduce body temperature.