Device for interstitial laser therapy

#The present invention is a U.S. National Stage under 35 USC 371 patent application, claiming priority to Serial No. PCT/AU2018/050262, filed on 22 Mar. 2018; which claims priority of AU 2017901030, filed on 23 Mar. 2017, the entirety of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

#The present invention generally relates to the field of interstitial laser thermotherapy. In further specific examples, a temperature sensor is formed or provided as part of a device for interstitial laser therapy.

#Optical fibres exhibit excellent light-guiding properties which, combined with a compact size and flexibility, make them ideal for various medical applications.

#Example embodiments are apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example device for interstitial laser therapy, from a front-side perspective.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, from a top-side perspective.

#The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of an embodiment or embodiments. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.

#In the context of this specification, the term “about” is understood to refer to a range of numbers that a person of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value in the context of achieving the same function or result.

#Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided an example device 100 for interstitial laser therapy. Device 100 includes an optical waveguide 110 extending about a central longitudinal axis 120 and having an optical output end 112. Output end 112 is a distal end of optical waveguide 110. Device 100 further includes an optical diffuser 130 optically coupled to, or optically associated with, or positioned about, output end 112. Diffuser 130 includes, or is comprised of, a housing 132 having an open end 134 for receiving output end 112, and preferably for also receiving a longitudinal portion 114 of optical waveguide 110. Housing 132 has an exterior surface 136, for example being a circumferential exterior surface. Device 100 further includes a temperature sensor 151. Temperature sensor 151 is preferably positioned internally of exterior surface 136 of optical diffuser 130. In one example, temperature sensor 151 is interposed, or positioned, or located, between central longitudinal axis 120 and exterior surface 136, furthermore temperature sensor 151 is preferably, though not necessarily, also interposed, or positioned, or located, within the longitudinal extent of longitudinal portion 114 of optical waveguide 110.