ULTRAWIDEBAND ANTENNA FOR OPERATION IN TISSUE

• US 20090125091A1
• Filed: 08/21/2006
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Old Dominion University Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: Old Dominion University (Commonwealth of Virginia)
• Inventors: Schoenbach, Karl H., Beebe, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,000,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

Method and apparatus for cellular and intracellular manipulation of cell functions with ultrashort electrical pulses and for targeted delivery of the electrical pulses into cell cultures, patients, and tissues.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

an electric field pulse generator;

an electric pulse radiator; and

,

a focusing reflector for electromagnetic waves or a focusing lens

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field pulse generator and/or electric pulse radiator (emitter) comprises electrodes, antennae, cables, coaxial cables, plates, and radiating fins.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the antennae comprise an ellipsoidal reflector.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the antennae comprise a parabolic reflector.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the antenna contains a focusing lens.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric pulse generator generates between about 0.1 picosecond voltage pulses up to 900 nanosecond (ns) voltage pulses.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field generator generates electric fields up to 5 MV/cm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field generator generates electric fields of up to 10 MV/cm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field generator generates electric fields of 10 kV/cm to 800 kV/cm.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric pulse generator that generates a pulse duration of less than or equal to 1 nanosecond (ns);

a voltage of less than or equal to 1 MV.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein monopolar, bipolar, and oscillatory high voltage pulses with amplitudes from about 10 kV to 1 MV, and pulse durations (half periods) ranging from about 10 ps to 5 ns are generated.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy of the electrical pulses are focused into a well defined volume in cell cultures, tissues and organs (ellipsoidal antenna) or over a large distance (parabolic antenna).

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy is delivered through a single or multiple coaxial cable or other waveguides to targets in tissue.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

one or more receptacles comprising cells to be exposed to the ultrashort pulses;

an insulator;

a coaxial cable;

an ultrawideband exposure cell;

a current probe;

a capacitive voltage divider;

a screen room comprising an oscilloscope and trigger;

a Marx-Bank with about 20 to 30 stages in a pressurized containment;

a pulse forming network; and

,

a tail cut switch.

15. A method of inducing apoptosis in cells and tissues comprising

subjecting the cells or tissues to an electric field;

focusing the electric field onto cells or tissues in need of treatment; and

,

inducing apoptosis in cells and tissues.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electric field is focused onto abnormal cells or tissues and does not affect normal cells.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the electric field is focused by an antenna, electrodes, cables, coaxial cables, plates, parallel plates, needles, and radiating fins.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the electric field is focused with an antenna and a reflector or lens.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the cells are subjected to at least about 10 to 10000 pulses, at least once per day.

20. A method of treating a patient with cancer comprising

subjecting the patient to an electric field;

focusing the electric field onto cancer cells or tissues comprising cancer cells; and

,

treating a patient with cancer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electric field is focused onto abnormal cells or tissues comprising abnormal cells and does not affect normal cells.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the electric field is focused by an antenna, electrodes, cables, coaxial cables, plates, parallel plates, needles, and radiating fins.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the electric field is focused with an antenna and a reflector or lens

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the cancer cells or tissues comprising cancer are subjected to at least about 10 to 10000 pulses, at least once per day.

25. A method of treating cells and tissues infected with an infectious disease organism comprising

subjecting the cells or tissues to an electric field;

focusing the electric field onto cells or tissues in need of treatment; and

,

treating cells and tissues infected with an infectious disease organism.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the electric field is focused onto abnormal cells or tissues and does not affect normal cells.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the electric field is focused by an antenna, electrodes, cables, coaxial cables, plates, parallel plates, needles, and radiating fins.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the electric field is focused with an antenna and a reflector.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the cells are subjected to at least about 50 to 1000 pulses, at least once per day.

30. A method of inducing calcium release in cells comprising:

subjecting the cells or tissues to an electric field;

focusing the electric field onto cells or tissues in need of treatment; and

,

inducing calcium release in cells.

31. A method of modifying cell structures and functions comprising:

subjecting the cells or tissues to an electric field;

focusing the electric field onto cells or tissues in need of treatment; and

,

modifying cell structures and functions.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the cell structures are intracellular and extra cellular.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the cell structures comprise:

mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, nucleolus, Golgi apparatus, DNA, RNA, messenger RNA, proteins, DNA-protein interactions, RNA-protein interactions, protein-protein interactions, amino acids, lipids, lipid rafts, membrane receptors, and ion channels.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the cell functions comprise:

metabolism, transcription, translation, gene expression, secretion, neurotransmitter release, ion channel gating, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, second messenger generation, enzyme activities, reactive oxygen species generation, oxidation/reduction reactions.