Fiberoptic Sensors for Thermal Therapy

This proposal addresses the need for accurate, self-referencing temperature measurement in cancer treatments such as hyperthermia and RF ablation. In all of these therapies, conventional metallic sensors such as thermocouples are unattractive because they either interact with the heating field (hyperthermia, RF ablation) or have excessive thermal conductivity (cryoablation). Integrated Photonics Technology (IPITEK) is the leader in fiberoptic temperature sensing for cancer treatment, and our unique temperature sensing technology is currently in Phase 2 FDA trials for microwave cancer treatments. In this work, we also propose to investigate the use of nanoparticle colloids for heat dispersion through our numerous collaborations in the thermal therapy field. In addition, we will investigate a novel technique for endpoint detection in cancer treatments of this type. At the end of Phase 1 IPITEK will deliver to NIST a fully-functional (not prototype) multi-sensor unit with probes suitable for thermal therapy use. Due to our advances and experience in this area, IPITEK is uniquely qualified to provide this product and can deliver an instrument with unsurpassed performance and unequalled features.