GELS WITH PREDETERMINED CONDUCTIVITY USED IN ELECTROPORATION OF TISSUE

• US 20080214986A1
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Rubinsky, Boris, Ivorra, Antoni
• Granted Patent: US 7,674,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0009 involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis microelectromechanical systems A61K9/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/329 characterised by features of the needle shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/042 Material of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation

Abstract

Gel compositions with adjusted conductivity are disclosed which compositions are used for directing reversible electroporation and irreversible electroporation of cells and tissue. The gel compositions are also used in a similar manner in order to carry out thermotherapy on cells and tissues.

Claims

1. A method of carrying out electroporation of tissue, comprising:

inserting a gel into a patient wherein the gel has a predetermined conductivity relative to surrounding tissue;

applying current across tissue in an amount so that cells of the tissue are subjected to electroporation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductivity of the gel is sufficiently below that of the surrounding tissue such that when current is applied substantially no current flows through the gel and the current is directed to a specific targeted area of tissue to be electroporated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductivity of the gel is substantially the same as that of surround tissue and when current is applied a homogeneous electrical field is applied and a specific area of targeted tissue is electroporated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gel is comprised of a therapeutically active drug.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gel is a hydrogel comprised of water and solid phase polymer chains.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductivity of the gel is adjusted by incorporating a predetermined concentration of ions in the gel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein ions are derived from NaCl in the gel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the gel is inserted by injection.

9. The method of any of claim 1 wherein the electroporation is reversible.

10. The method of any of claim 1 wherein the electroporation is irreversible.

11. A method of carrying out thermotherapy of tissue, comprising:

inserting a gel into a patient wherein the gel has a predetermined conductivity relative to surrounding tissue;

applying current across tissue in an amount so that cells of the tissue are subjected to a temperature change sufficient to disrupt normal cell permeability.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature change is sufficient to change cell permeability so as to result in cellular death.

13. A kit for carrying out electroporation, comprising:

a gel having a predetermined conductivity relative to tissue surrounding an area to be subjected to electroporation;

a syringe for injecting the gel;

first and second electrodes for creating a current between the electrode when inserted in a patient; and

instructions for performing electroporation.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the gel is comprised of a therapeutically active drug.

15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the gel is a hydrogel comprised of water and solid phase polymer chains.

16. The kit of claim 13, further comprises:

an additive for adjusting the conductivity of the gel by incorporating a predetermined concentration of ions in the gel.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the additive comprises NaCl.