Implantable Thermal Therapeutic Device with Precise Temperature Control Enabled by Foldable Electronics and Heat-Insulating Pads

Abstract

Thermal therapy has continued to attract the attention of researchers and clinicians due to its important applications in tumor ablation, wound management, and drug release. The lack of precise temperature control capability in traditional thermal treatment may cause the decrease of therapeutic effect and thermal damage to normal tissues. Here, we report an implantable thermal therapeutic device (ITTD), which offers precise closed loop heating, in situ temperature monitoring, and thermal protection. The ITTD features a multifunctional foldable electronics device wrapped on a heat-insulating composite pad. Experimental and numerical studies reveal the fundamental aspects of the design, fabrication, and operation of the ITTD. In vivo experiments of the ITTD in thermal ablation for antitumor demonstrate that the proposed ITTD is capable of controlling the ablation temperature precisely in real time with a precision of at least 0.7°C and providing effective thermal protection to normal tissues. This proof-of-concept research creates a promising route to develop ITTD with precise temperature control capability, which is highly desired in thermal therapy and other disease diagnosis and treatments.