Completely implantable hyperthermia applicator with externalized temperature monitoring: tests in conductive gel.

Development is underway on a hyperthermia applicator intended for complete implantation and long-term use. Radio frequency energy is transmitted from an external antenna to a closely coupled subdermal antenna. This internal antenna is connected via a transmission line to deeply implanted electrodes. Changes in temperature at the electrodes result in a change in tissue resistivity which modifies the complex impedance seen at the external antenna terminals. This variation in antenna impedance (magnitude and/or phase angle) can, in principle, be utilized to indirectly monitor and regulate tissue temperature at the electrode location. Test results from conductive-gel tissue phantom experiments are presented.