USRE37315EExpiredUtility

Radiating device for hyperthermia

Assignee: MEDICAL ENTPR LTDPriority: Nov 11, 1991Filed: Jul 8, 1997Granted: Aug 7, 2001
Est. expiryNov 11, 2011(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Avigdor Lev
A61N 5/045A61N 5/04A61F 7/123A61B 18/18
34
PatentIndex Score
14
Cited by
48
References
91
Claims

Abstract

A flexible three-paths catheter provided with a balloon carries a sealingly sheathed radiofrequency radiating antenna, together with the shielded power supply cable and with some thermocouples, within a plastic lining surrounded by a flow of liquid; a second path carries the power supply cables of some outer thermocouples, flooded by the reverse liquid flow, while the third path allows a fluid to flow through for inflating the balloon. Introduction of the catheter into a hollow organ makes it possible to perform hyperthermal therapy of tumors by means of radiation.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim:  
     
       1. A radiating device for urethral  hyperthermia including a catheter provided at its distal end with an inflatable balloon ( 7 ) and adapted to receive multiple injected liquid flows ( 2 , 5 , 8 ) passing therethrough, a radiofrequency radiating antenna ( 1 ) and multiple thermocouples ( 6 , 6 ′,  6 ″), the radiating antenna being  adapted to be submerged within said liquid flow, characterized in that 
       said radiating antenna ( 1 ) is  adapted to be submerged within a liquid flow which proceeds through a central channel ( 2 ) surrounding said radiating antenna ( 1 ) towards the distal end of said catheter and passes from said catheter through a first opening ( 3 ) into the bladder to be treated, while flowing back into said catheter towards the  a proximal end thereof through a second separate opening ( 4 ) of a side channel ( 5 ) surrounding the  power supply cables of said thermocouples ( 6 , 6 ′,  6 ″),  
       the  ends of said thermocouples ( 6 , 6 ′,  6 ″) are adapted to project out of said second opening ( 4 ), being thus deflected outwards into the bladder when said balloon ( 7 ) is inflated by injecting a fluid therein through a second side channel ( 8 ) and third opening ( 9 ), whereby the  outwardly deflected ends of said thermocouples ( 6 , 6 ′,  6 ″) are adapted to come into tangential engagement with the bladder wall ( 32 ) irradiated by said antenna ( 1 ).  
     
     
       2. A radiating device including a catheter provided at its distal end with an inflatable balloon and adapted to receive multiple injected liquid fluid flows passing therethrough, a radiofrequency radiating antenna and multiple thermocouples, the radiating antenna being submerged within a fluid flow, characterized in that 
       
         said radiating antenna is adapted to be submerged within a flow which proceeds through a central channel surrounding said radiating antenna towards a distal end of said catheter and passes from said catheter through a first opening into an organ to be treated, while flowing back into said catheter towards a proximal end thereof through a second separate opening of a side channel surrounding power supply cables of said thermocouples,  
       
       
         ends of said thermocouples are adapted to project out of said second opening, being thus deflected outwards into the organ when said balloon is inflated by injecting a fluid through a second side channel and third opening, whereby the outwardly deflected ends of said thermocouples are adapted to come into tangential engagement with a wall of the organ irradiated by said antenna.  
       
     
     
       3. A radiating device including a catheter provided at its distal end with an inflatable balloon and adapted to receive multiple injected liquid fluid flows passing therethrough, a radiofrequency radiating antenna and multiple thermocouples, the radiating antenna being submerged within a fluid flow, characterized in that 
       
         said radiating antenna is adapted to be submerged within a flow which proceeds through a central channel surrounding said radiating antenna towards a distal end of said catheter and passes from said catheter through a first opening into an organ to be treated, while flowing back into said catheter towards a proximal end thereof through a second separate opening of a side channel surrounding power supply cables of said thermocouples,  
       
       
         ends of said thermocouples are adapted to project out of said second opening, being thus deflected outwards into the organ when said balloon is inflated by injecting a fluid through a second side channel and third opening, whereby outwardly deflected ends of said thermocouples are adapted to come into engagement with a wall of the organ irradiated by said antenna.  
       
     
     
       4. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter provided with an inflatable balloon and including a central channel, first and second side channels, and first, second, and third openings;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at a first end portion of the catheter, the antenna adapted for being submerged in a first fluid that flows through the central channel surrounding the antenna towards the first end portion of the catheter, passes from the catheter through the first opening, and flows back into the catheter towards a second end portion thereof through the second opening; and  
       
       
         a plurality of thermocouples, having ends, the plurality of thermocouples extending along the first side channel of the catheter, each of the ends of the plurality of thermocouples adapted to project out of the second opening and to be deflected outwards when the balloon is inflated by injecting a second fluid through the second side channel and the third opening,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of thermocouples adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       5. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter provided with an inflatable balloon and including first and second channels and a first opening;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, the antenna adapted for being submerged in a fluid that flows through the first channel surrounding the antenna and into the organ; and  
       
       
         a plurality of thermocouples, having ends, the plurality of thermocouples extending along the second channel each of the ends of the plurality of thermocouples projecting out of the first opening and being deflected outwards when the balloon is inflated,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of thermocouples are adapted to contact a wall of the hollow organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       6. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter provided with an inflatable balloon;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, adapted for irradiating the organ;  
       
       
         a channel for providing a fluid to the organ; and  
       
       
         a plurality of thermocouples, having ends, the plurality of thermocouples extending along the catheter, each of the ends of the plurality of thermocouples being deflected outwards when the balloon is inflated,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of thermocouples are adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       7. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter provided with an inflatable balloon and including first and second channels and a first opening;  
       
       
         an antenna situated at an end portion of the catheter, the antenna adapted for being submerged in a fluid that flows through the first channel surrounding the antenna and into the organ; and  
       
       
         a plurality of temperature sensing devices, having ends, the plurality of temperature sensing devices extending along the catheter each of the ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices being deflected outwards when the balloon is inflated,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices are adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       8. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter provided with an inflatable balloon;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the organ;  
       
       
         a channel for providing a fluid to the organ; and  
       
       
         a plurality of temperature sensing devices, having ends, the plurality of temperature sensing devices extending along the catheter, each of the ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices being deflected outwards when the balloon is inflated,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices are adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       9. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, adapted for irradiating the organ;  
       
       
         a channel, within the catheter, adapted for providing a fluid comprising a cytotoxic substance to the organ; and  
       
       
         a plurality of temperature sensing devices, having ends, the plurality of temperature sensing devices extending along the catheter, each of the ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices adapted for being deflected outwards after the catheter is inserted into the organ,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices are adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       10. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter, including a channel adapted for providing a fluid to the organ;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, adapted for irradiating the organ; and  
       
       
         a plurality of temperature sensing devices, having ends, the plurality of temperature sensing devices extending along the catheter, each of the ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices being deflected outwards after the catheter is inserted into the organ,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices are adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       11. A radiating device for irradiating a cavity comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the cavity;  
       
       
         channel extending along the catheter and adapted for providing fluid to the cavity; and  
       
       
         a plurality of temperature sensing devices, having ends, the plurality of temperature sensing devices extending along the catheter, each of the ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices being deflected outwards after the catheter is inserted into the cavity,  
       
       
         wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices are adapted to contact a wall of the cavity irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       12. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , wherein the channel is within the catheter.  
     
     
       13. The radiating device as recited in claim  12 , wherein the antenna is within the channel.  
     
     
       14. The radiating device as recited in claim  13 , adapted for fluid flow by the antenna and into the cavity.  
     
     
       15. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , further comprising a shielded cable coupled to the antenna.  
     
     
       16. The radiating device as recited in claim  15 , adapted for fluid flow by the shielded cable and the antenna and into the cavity.  
     
     
       17. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , further comprising means for providing a second fluid around the antenna.  
     
     
       18. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , adapted for flow of a conditioning liquid.  
     
     
       19. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , adapted for flow of a solution of a selective cytotoxicity substance.  
     
     
       20. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , wherein the antenna is adapted for a frequency range of  900 - 1000  MHZ.  
     
     
       21. The radiating device according to claim  11 , wherein the antenna comprises a linear dipole antenna.  
     
     
       22. The radiating device according to claim  21 , wherein the linear dipole antenna comprises a coil- shaped segment and a linear conductor.    
     
     
       23. The radiating device according to claim  22 , further comprising: 
       
         a first plastic sleeve surrounding a portion of the linear conductor;  
       
       
         a metal braiding surrounding the first plastic sleeve;  
       
       
         a second plastic sleeve surrounding the metal braiding;  
       
       
         a metal cylinder surrounding the second plastic sleeve and electrically coupled to the metal briading; and  
       
       
         a third plastic sleeve surrounding the metal cylinder.  
       
     
     
       24. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , further comprising a stainless steel wire coupled to each of the plurality of temperature sensing devices.  
     
     
       25. The radiating device as recited in claim  11 , further comprising means for retaining the plurality of temperature sensing devices prior to deflection.  
     
     
       26. The radiating device according to claim  25 , wherein the retaining means comprises at least one notch.  
     
     
       27. The radiating device according to claim  11 , further comprising a sealing member for sealing the antenna.  
     
     
       28. The radiating device according to claim  27 , further comprising a sealing member for each of the plurality of temperature sensing devices.  
     
     
       29. The radiating device according to claim  27 , wherein the sealing member comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene layer.  
     
     
       30. The radiating device according to claim  11 , further comprising a second plurality of temperature sensing devices for detecting temperatures at predetermined positions along the antenna.  
     
     
       31. The radiating device according to claim  30 , wherein each of the second plurality of temperature sensing devices is coupled to a power supply cable.  
     
     
       32. The radiating device according to claim  31 , wherein each of the power supply cables is wound into a helical coil.  
     
     
       33. The radiating device according to claim  11 , wherein the deflected ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices tangentially contact the wall of the cavity.  
     
     
       34. The radiating device according to claim  11 , wherein the catheter further comprises an inflatable balloon.  
     
     
       35. The radiating device according to claim  34 , wherein the balloon is adapted to be inflated by a second fluid.  
     
     
       36. The radiating device according to claim  35 , wherein the second fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
       37. The radiating device according to claim  35 , wherein the second fluid is a gas.  
     
     
       38. The radiating device according to claim  34 , wherein the catheter comprises a second channel in communication with the balloon for providing a second fluid to inflate the balloon.  
     
     
       39. The radiating device according to claim  34 , wherein each of the ends of the plurality of temperature sensing devices is deflected outwards when the balloon is inflated.  
     
     
       40. The radiating device according to claim  11 , wherein the catheter comprises a first opening adapted to provide the fluid into the cavity and a second opening adapted to allow for circulation out of the cavity.  
     
     
       41. The radiating device according to claim  34 , wherein the catheter comprises a first opening adapted to provide the fluid into the cavity and a second opening adapted to allow for circulation out of the cavity.  
     
     
       42. The radiating device according to claim  41 , wherein the catheter comprises a third opening adapted to provide a second fluid to inflate the balloon.  
     
     
       43. The radiating device according to claim  11 , adapted to contact a cavity that is an organ.  
     
     
       44. The radiating device according to claim  11 , adapted to contact a cavity that is a hollow organ.  
     
     
       45. The radiating device according to claim  11 , adapted to contact a cavity that is a bladder.  
     
     
       46. The radiating device according to claim  11 , further comprising means for protecting the cavity wall from excess heat from the antenna.  
     
     
       47. The radiating device according to claim  11 , further comprising means for preventing the catheter from being displaced from the cavity.  
     
     
       48. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an inflatable balloon, an antenna and a plurality of thermocouples, into an organ;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a first fluid such that the first fluid flows through a first channel of the catheter and circulates out a first opening in the catheter through the organ and into a second opening in the catheter and through a second channel of the catheter; and  
       
       
         inflating the balloon by passing a second fluid through a third channel of the catheter and out a third hole in the catheter and into the balloon, such that the plurality of thermocouples are deflected by the inflated balloon and contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       49. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an inflatable balloon, an antenna, and a plurality of temperature sensing devices, into an organ;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a first fluid such that the first fluid flows through a first channel of the catheter and circulates out a first opening in the catheter through the organ and into a second opening in the catheter and through a second channel of the catheter; and  
       
       
         inflating the balloon by passing a second fluid through a third channel of the catheter and out a third hole in the catheter and into the balloon, such that the plurality of temperature sensing devices, carried in the second channel, are deflected by the inflated balloon and contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       50. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter including an inflatable balloon, an antenna, and a plurality thermocouples, into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid through the catheter and into the organ; and  
       
       
         inflating the balloon such that the plurality of thermocouples are deflected by the inflated balloon and contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       51. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter including an inflatable balloon, an antenna and a plurality of temperature sensing devices into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid through the catheter and into the organ; and  
       
       
         inflating the balloon such that the plurality of temperature sensing devices are deflected by the inflated balloon and contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       52. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and a plurality of temperature sensing devices, into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid comprising a cytotoxic substance through the catheter and into the organ; and  
       
       
         deflecting the plurality of temperature sensing devices to contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       53. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and a plurality of temperature sensing devices, into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid through the catheter and into the organ; and  
       
       
         deflecting the plurality of temperature sensing devices to contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       54. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and a plurality of temperature sensing devices, into a cavity;  
       
       
         irradiating the tin radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid into the cavity; and  
       
       
         deflecting the plurality of temperature sensing devices to contact a wall of the cavity.  
       
     
     
       55. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the providing step comprises the step of providing the fluid through the catheter and into the cavity.  
     
     
       56. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  55 , wherein the step of providing comprises the step of flowing the fluid past the antenna.  
     
     
       57. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the fluid comprises a conditioning liquid.  
     
     
       58. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the fluid comprises a solution of a selective cytotoxicity substance.  
     
     
       59. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the catheter includes a balloon.  
     
     
       60. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  59 , further comprising the step of: 
       
         inflating the balloon such that the plurality of temperature sensing devices are deflected by the inflated balloon and contact the wall of the cavity.  
       
     
     
       61. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  60 , wherein the inflating step comprises the step of inflating the balloon with a liquid.  
     
     
       62. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  60 , wherein the inflating step comprises the step of inflating the balloon with a gas.  
     
     
       63. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of controlling a volume of the fluid in the cavity.  
     
     
       64. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of evacuating gas introduced by the providing step to prevent irradiation non- uniformities.    
     
     
       65. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of controlling a temperature of the fluid.  
     
     
       66. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of controlling a flowrate of the fluid.  
     
     
       67. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of sensing temperatures at different locations by modifying a location of the temperature sensing devices.  
     
     
       68. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of generating therapeutically active radiation using the antenna to achieve a temperature within the cavity lethal for cancer cells.  
     
     
       69. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising sensing a temperature at various positions along the antenna with a second plurality of temperature sensing devices.  
     
     
       70. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising sensing a temperature at various positions along the antenna and a shielded cable coupled to the antenna with a second plurality of temperature sensing devices.  
     
     
       71. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the plurality of temperature sensing devices come into tangential contact with the wall of the cavity.  
     
     
       72. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein a second plurality of temperature sensing devices come into tangential contact with the wall of the cavity.  
     
     
       73. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of controlling a temperature of the wall of the cavity.  
     
     
       74. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of controlling a temperature of the antenna.  
     
     
       75. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the inserting step comprises inserting the catheter into an organ.  
     
     
       76. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the inserting step comprises inserting the catheter into a hollow organ.  
     
     
       77. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , wherein the inserting step comprises inserting the catheter into a bladder.  
     
     
       78. The method of performing hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of protecting the cavity wall from excess heat from the antenna.  
     
     
       79. The method of hyperthermal therapy according to claim  54 , further comprising the step of preventing the catheter from being displaced from the cavity.  
     
     
       80. A radiating device for irradiating a cavity comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the cavity;  
       
       
         a first channel adapted to Provide a fluid to the cavity;  
       
       
         a second channel adapted to receive the fluid from the cavity; and  
       
       
         at least one temperature sensing device, having an end, the end of the at least one temperature sensing device extending outward from the catheter after the catheter is inserted into the cavity,  
       
       
         wherein the end of the at least one temperature sensing device is adapted to detect a temperature of a wall of the cavity irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       81. A radiating device for irradiating a cavity comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the cavity;  
       
       
         a first channel adapted to provide a fluid to the cavity;  
       
       
         a second channel adapted to receive the fluid from the cavity; and  
       
       
         at least one temperature sensing device, having an end, the end of the at least one temperature sensing device extending outward from the catheter after the catheter is inserted into the cavity,  
       
       
         wherein the end of the at least one temperature sensing device is adapted to detect a temperature of the cavity irradiated by the antenna.  
       
     
     
       82. The radiating device as claimed in claim  81 , wherein the at least one temperature sensing device is released from the catheter after the catheter is inserted into the cavity.  
     
     
       83. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the organ;  
       
       
         a channel, within the catheter, adapted to provide a fluid comprising a treatment substance to the organ; and  
       
       
         at least one temperature sensing device, having an end, the end of the at least one temperature sensing device extending outwards from the catheter after the catheter is inserted into the organ,  
       
       
         wherein the end of the at least one temperature sensing device is adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated by the antenna and wherein the fluid is adapted to be provided to the organ simultaneously with the irradiation of the organ.  
       
     
     
       84. The radiating device according to claim  83 , wherein the treatment substance comprises a cytotoxic substance.  
     
     
       85. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the organ;  
       
       
         a first channel, within the catheter, adapted to provide a fluid comprising a cytotoxic substance to the organ;  
       
       
         a second channel, within the catheter, adapted to receive the fluid from the cavity; and  
       
       
         at least one temperature sensing device, having an end, the end of the at least one temperature sensing device extending outward from the catheter after the catheter is inserted into the organ;  
       
       
         wherein the end of the at least one temperature sensing device is adapted to contact a wall of the organ irradiated be the antenna and wherein the fluid is adapted to be provided to the organ simultaneously with the irradiation of the organ.  
       
     
     
       86. A radiating device for irradiating an organ comprising: 
       
         a catheter;  
       
       
         an antenna, situated at an end portion of the catheter, for irradiating the organ;  
       
       
         a first channel, within the catheter, adapted to provide a fluid comprising a cytotoxic substance to the organ;  
       
       
         a second channel, within the catheter, adapted to receive the fluid from the cavity; and  
       
       
         at least one temperature sensing device, having an end, the end of the at least one temperature sensing device extending outward after the catheter is inserted into the organ,  
       
       
         wherein the end of the at least one temperature sensing device is adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid and wherein the fluid is adapted to be provided to the organ simultaneously with the irradiation of the organ.  
       
     
     
       87. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and at least one temperature sensing device, into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid through the catheter and into the organ;  
       
       
         extracting the fluid from the organ through the catheter; and  
       
       
         extending the at least one temperature sensing device adapted to detect a temperature of a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       88. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and at least one temperature sensing device, into a cavity;  
       
       
         irradiating the cavity by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         providing a supply of a fluid through the catheter and into the cavity;  
       
       
         extracting the fluid from the cavity through the catheter; and  
       
       
         extending the at least one temperature sensing device within the cavity; and  
       
       
         detecting a temperature of the cavity.  
       
     
     
       89. The method as recited in claim  88 , wherein 
       
         the detecting step comprises detecting a temperature of the fluid.  
       
     
     
       90. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and at least one temperature sensing device, into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         simultaneously with irradiating, providing a supply of a fluid comprising a cytotoxic substance through the catheter and into the organ; and  
       
       
         extending the at least one temperature sensing device adapted to contact a wall of the organ.  
       
     
     
       91. A method of performing hyperthermal therapy comprising the steps of: 
       
         inserting a catheter, including an antenna and at least one temperature sensing device, into an organ;  
       
       
         irradiating the organ by generating radiation using the antenna;  
       
       
         simultaneously with irradiating, providing a supply of a fluid comprising a cytotoxic substance through the catheter and into the organ.

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