Abstract: Method, apparatus, and a substance is disclosed for releasing at a temperature above normal tissue temperature an anti-cancer drug and applying heat in combination to tissue having neoplastic cells such as a malignant brain tumor. The apparatus comprises a probe having a semi-rigid elongated member that is interstitially implanted in the malignant tumor. The elongated member is coated with a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. An electrical thermistor is also included within the elongated member for measuring the temperature of the probe in order to regulate the release of the drug and the temperature of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for treating tissue interstitially with multiple modalities of treatment. The apparatus comprises a semi-rigid elongated member that is implanted interstitially in the malignant tumor. A hollow passageway is longitudinally positioned in the member for positioning one or more modalities inserted or positioned therein. The elongated member is coated with another modality such as a carrier substance that is responsive at a temperature above normal tissue temperature for releasing a carried substance such as a therapeutic anti-cancer drug. Within the elongated member, an electrical heater element for one modality produces heat when energized for heating the probe, the carrier substance, the anti-cancer drug, and the surrounding tissue. A second modality such as a source of radiation is inserted in the passageway after the probe is interstitially implanted. A trocar stylet is initially inserted in the passageway to implant the probe.

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 fo