A team of researchers at the University of Adelaide has invented a world-first tiny fibre-optic probe that can simultaneously measure temperature and see deep inside the body.

The miniaturised imaging and sensing probe has been developed to help study drug-induced hyperthermia.

The probe may help researchers find better treatments to prevent drug-induced overheating of the brain, and potentially refine thermal treatment for cancers.

While the first generation of the probe can both take images and measure temperature, the team hopes future generations will take other measurements as well - such as pH values, oxygen saturation and accumulation of fat in arteries.