Apparatus and method for delivering ablative laser energy and determining the volume of tumor mass destroyed

1. An apparatus displaying a volume of a tumor mass destroyed, the apparatus comprising:

means for measuring a temperature of at least part of the tumor mass;

means for measuring at least a temperature at one point in proximity of the tumor mass; and

means for providing a graphical representation of the volume of the tumor mass destroyed based at least in part upon measuring temperature of at least part of the tumor mass and at least one point in proximity of the tumor mass.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the graphical representation of the volume of the tumor mass destroyed is superimposed onto an image of the tumor mass to provide real-time visual monitoring of the destroyed tumor mass.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the graphical representation includes a geometrical symbol.

4. An apparatus for determining a volume of tumor mass destroyed, the apparatus comprising:

a laser probe having a temperature sensor operable to measure a temperature of said tumor mass;

a computer control system electrically connected to the laser probe and operable to determine the volume of tumor mass destroyed based upon the tumor mass temperature and a tissue temperature measured in proximity to the tumor mass;

a display connected to the computer control system and operable to display a graphical representation of the volume of tumor mass destroyed; and

means for conducting a blood circulation test employing a contrasting agent to determine the volume of the tumor mass destroyed by an amount of laser energy.

5. An apparatus displaying a volume of a tumor mass destroyed, the apparatus comprising:

means for measuring a temperature of at least part of the tumor mass;

means for measuring at least a temperature at one point in proximity of the tumor mass; and

means for providing a graphical representation of the volume of the tumor mass destroyed based at least in part upon measuring temperature of at least part of the tumor mass and at least one point in proximity of the tumor mass, wherein the graphical representation of the volume of the tumor mass destroyed is superimposed onto an image of the tumor mass to provide real-time visual monitoring of the destroyed tumor mass, and wherein the real-time visual monitoring of the destroyed tumor mass is provided during interstitial laser therapy.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , which includes means for conducting a blood circulation test employing a contrasting agent to determine the volume of the tumor mass destroyed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the blood circulation test includes a contrast-enhanced color doppler ultrasound test.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the blood circulation test confirms that an entire amount of the tumor mass is effectively destroyed.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the blood circulation test is conducted before and after the tumor mass is destroyed.

10. An apparatus displaying a volume of a tumor mass destroyed, the apparatus comprising:

means for measuring a temperature of at least part of the tumor mass;

means for measuring at least a temperature at one point in proximity of the tumor mass;

means for providing a graphical representation of the volume of the tumor mass destroyed based at least in part upon measuring temperature of at least part of the tumor mass and at least one point in proximity of the tumor mass; and

means for conducting a blood circulation test employing a contrasting agent to determine the volume of the tumor mass destroyed.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the blood circulation test includes a contrast-enhanced color doppler ultrasound test.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the blood circulation test confirms that an entire amount of the tumor mass is effectively destroyed.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the blood circulation test is conducted before and after the tumor mass is destroyed.