Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a volume of tissue mass destroyed. The present invention includes a temperature probe and a laser probe having a temperature sensor. The laser probe and temperature probe are inserted to measure a temperature of the tissue mass and a temperature of tissue mass surrounding the tissue mass. By determining the volume of tissue mass destroyed, a graphical representation of the volume of tissue mass destroyed is provided whereby real-time visual monitoring of the destruction of the tissue mass is achieved.

Abstract: An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source.

Abstract: An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source.

Abstract: A method of removing undesirable cells and killing cells surrounding a cavity caused by the removal of the undesirable cells includes the step of inserting a probe through an incision made in the skin of a patient. The method further includes the steps of removing undesirable cells using the probe and using image-guided technology and inserting a balloon into the cavity formed by the removal of the undesirable cells. Still further, the method includes the steps of conforming the balloon to a shape of the cavity and providing sufficient fluid to fill the cavity based on the volume and reaching a temperature in the fluid to achieve a temperature in the tissue surrounding the cavity that kills cells surrounding the cavity.

Abstract: An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source.

Abstract: A method of removing undesirable cells and killing cells surrounding a cavity caused by the removal of the undesirable cells includes the step of inserting a probe through an incision made in the skin of a patient. The method further includes the steps of removing undesirable cells using the probe and using image-guided technology and inserting a balloon into the cavity formed by the removal of the undesirable cells. Still further, the method includes the steps of conforming the balloon to a shape of the cavity and providing sufficient fluid to fill the cavity based on the volume and reaching a temperature in the fluid to achieve a temperature in the tissue surrounding the cavity that kills cells surrounding the cavity.

Abstract: Interstitial laser therapy kits are disclosed. The items contained in the kit are useable to perform a single interstitial laser treatment. The kit includes a laser probe cannula, a stylet, a thermal probe, two probe holders, and a removable optical fiber, sterilized and contained in a non-resealable first plastic bag. The first plastic bag has at least one unique kit identifier printed on it. The kit also includes a saline syringe, a hemostasis valve, and a saline tube, contained in a non-resealable second plastic bag. The interstitial laser therapy kit is combined with an appropriate interstitial laser therapy apparatus to perform a single interstitial laser treatment, and after any of the items in a kit has been used, each of the items is discarded. An interstitial laser therapy control system enables the operator to ensure that the kit is used discarded after it has been used.

Abstract: An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.

Abstract: A method of removing undesirable cells and killing cells surrounding a cavity caused by the removal of the undesirable cells includes the step of inserting a probe through an incision made in the skin of a patient. The method further includes the steps of removing undesirable cells using the probe and using image-guided technology and inserting a balloon into the cavity formed by the removal of the undesirable cells. Still further, the method includes the steps of conforming the balloon to a shape of the cavity and providing sufficient fluid to fill the cavity based on the volume and reaching a temperature in the fluid to achieve a temperature in the tissue surrounding the cavity that kills cells surrounding the cavity.

Abstract: An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.

Abstract: A method is described for preventing breast cancer recurrence after surgical removal of a breast cancer mass. Specifically, the method is thermal treatment of breast tissue surrounding a cavity after lumpectomy for breast cancer. Delivery of a heated fluid is through a balloon catheter to the cavity generated after lumpectomy with the goal of ablating the surrounding tissue, including transformed cells that were not removed through surgery. A balloon and controller were designed for this application.

Abstract: An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a volume of tissue mass destroyed. The present invention includes a temperature probe and a laser probe having a temperature sensor. The laser probe and temperature probe are inserted to measure a temperature of the tissue mass and a temperature of tissue mass surrounding the tissue mass. By determining the volume of tissue mass destroyed, a graphical representation of the volume of tissue mass destroyed is provided whereby real-time visual monitoring of the destruction of the tissue mass is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a volume of tumor mass destroyed. The present invention includes a temperature probe and a laser probe having a temperature sensor. The laser probe and temperature probe are inserted to measure a temperature of the tumor mass and a temperature of tissue mass surrounding the tumor mass. By determining the volume of tumor mass destroyed, a graphical representation of the volume of tumor mass destroyed is provided whereby real-time visual monitoring of the destruction of the tumor mass is achieved.

Abstract: Interstitial laser therapy kits are disclosed. The items contained in the kit are useable to perform a single interstitial laser treatment. The kit includes a laser probe cannula, a stylet, a thermal probe, two probe holders, and a removable optical fiber, sterilized and contained in a non-resealable first plastic bag. The first plastic bag has at least one unique kit identifier printed on it. The kit also includes a saline syringe, a hemostasis valve, and a saline tube, contained in a non-resealable second plastic bag. The interstitial laser therapy kit is combined with an appropriate interstitial laser therapy apparatus to perform a single interstitial laser treatment, and after any of the items in a kit has been used, each of the items is discarded. An interstitial laser therapy control system enables the operator to ensure that the kit is used discarded after it has been used.

Abstract: An interstitial laser energy treatment apparatus having co-acting movable probe holders which facilitate positioning of a laser probe and thermal probe in different positions relative to a tissue mass such as the tumor to be treated and relative to each other to facilitate treating tissue masses based on the exact position, size and shape of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source.