Patent ID: 9532901
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. An implantable medical device for modulating function of an ovary, comprising: a) a flexible hollow element having a closed three-dimensionally curved surface and being provided with temperature regulating apparatus, said hollow element being implantable in such a way so as to enclose an ovary while an interior side of said hollow element is in heat exchanger relation with a cortex of said ovary; b) an energy supply for powering, or inducing operation of, said temperature regulating apparatus; and, c) a controller for selectively controlling operation of said temperature regulating apparatus in order to modulate the function of said ovary in a desired way, wherein said temperature regulating apparatus comprises a non-linear matrix of cells that are spatially arranged along said curved surface, for differentially and controllably modulating the temperature of each cell to allow temperature differences between different areas of the cortex, each of said cells being operable to selectively reduce the temperature of said ovary or a portion thereof below a physiological body temperature in order to modulate function of said ovary without changing body temperature at a different body portion, wherein said controller continues operation of one or more of the cells until bloodstream concentration of fertility affecting medication being administrated decreases below an expected gonado-toxic level.