Enhanced systems and methods for RF-induced hyperthermia
First Claim
1. A method of inducing hyperthermia in at least target cells of a patient, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an RF transmitter having an RF generator in circuit communication with a transmission head, the RF generator capable of generating a hyperthermia-inducing RF signal having at least the one frequency for transmission via the transmission head;
(b) providing targeted RF absorption enhancers characterized by binding to the target cells to thereby increase heating of target cells responsive to the RF signal by interaction between the RF signal and the targeted RF absorption enhancer;
(c) introducing the targeted RF absorption enhancers into the patient;
(d) waiting for at least some of the targeted RF absorption enhancers to bind to some of the target cells;
(e) arranging the transmission head proximate to at least one body part of the patient containing the target cells in such a manner that the RF signal transmitted via the transmission head passes through and warms at least the targeted RF absorption enhancers bound to target cells;
(f) transmitting the RF signal via the transmission head, thereby warming the targeted RF absorption enhancers bound to target cells; and
(g) receiving at least a portion of the RF signal that passed through the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of inducing hyperthermia in at least a portion of a target area—e.g., a tumor or a portion of a tumor or targeted cancerous cells—is provided. Targeted RF absorption enhancers, e.g., antibodies bound to RF absorbing particles, are introduced into a patient. These targeted RF absorption enhancers will target certain cells in the target areas and enhance the effect of a hyperthermia generating RF signal directed toward the target area. The targeted RF absorption enhancers may, in a manner of speaking, add one or more RF absorption frequencies to cells in the target area, which will permit a hyperthermia generating RF signal at that frequency or frequencies to heat the targeted cells.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of inducing hyperthermia in at least target cells of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an RF transmitter having an RF generator in circuit communication with a transmission head, the RF generator capable of generating a hyperthermia-inducing RF signal having at least the one frequency for transmission via the transmission head;
(b) providing targeted RF absorption enhancers characterized by binding to the target cells to thereby increase heating of target cells responsive to the RF signal by interaction between the RF signal and the targeted RF absorption enhancer;
(c) introducing the targeted RF absorption enhancers into the patient;
(d) waiting for at least some of the targeted RF absorption enhancers to bind to some of the target cells;
(e) arranging the transmission head proximate to at least one body part of the patient containing the target cells in such a manner that the RF signal transmitted via the transmission head passes through and warms at least the targeted RF absorption enhancers bound to target cells;
(f) transmitting the RF signal via the transmission head, thereby warming the targeted RF absorption enhancers bound to target cells; and
(g) receiving at least a portion of the RF signal that passed through the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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- 20. The method of inducing hyperthermia in at least target cells of a patient according to claim wherein the at least one biomolecule comprises at least one antibody or antibody fragment or other targeting moiety, wherein the at least one RF absorbing particle comprises at least one tuned electronic circuit having at least one particle frequency associated therewith, wherein a substantial number of the targeted RF absorption enhancers each comprise at least one antibody or antibody fragment or other targeting moiety bound to at least one tuned electronic circuit small enough to be bound to and carried with the at least one antibody or antibody fragment or other targeting moiety to a target cell via the patient'"'"'s vascular system, and further wherein the hyperthermia-inducing RF signal transmitted by the RF transmitter has at least one frequency corresponding to the at least one particle frequency.
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25. The method of inducing hyperthermia in at least target cells of a patient according to claim wherein the at least one biomolecule comprises at least one antibody or antibody fragment or other targeting moiety, wherein the at least one RF absorbing particle comprises at least one metallic particle and further wherein a substantial number of the targeted RF absorption enhancers each comprise at least one antibody or antibody fragment or other targeting moiety bound to at least one metallic particle small enough to be bound to and carried with the at least one antibody or antibody fragment or other targeting moiety to a target cell via the patient'"'"'s vascular system.
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33. A method of inducing hyperthermia in at least target cells of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an RF transmitter having an RF generator in circuit communication with a transmission head, the RF generator capable of generating a hyperthermia-inducing RF signal having at least the one frequency for transmission via the transmission head;
(b) providing RF absorption enhancers to thereby increase heating of target cells responsive to the RF signal by interaction between the RF signal and the RF absorption enhancer, wherein the RF absorption enhancers have an associated manufacturing tolerance resulting in an associated range of corresponding frequencies and further wherein the RF signal comprises a plurality of frequencies corresponding to the range of resonant frequencies associated with the manufacturing tolerance of the RF absorption enhancers;
(c) introducing the RF absorption enhancers into the patient;
(d) arranging the transmission head proximate to at least one body part of the patient containing the target cells in such a manner that the RF signal transmitted via the transmission head passes through and warms at least the RF absorption enhancers; and
(e) transmitting the RF signal via the transmission head, thereby warming the RF absorption enhancers. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification