Method of treating conditions such as tumors in living bodies
First Claim
1. A method of treating a condition in a living body that is produced by defective cells comprising applying to an area of the body containing the defective cells localized infrared electromagnetic energy having a wavelength such that the energy is absorbed by the defective cells, the energy being derived from a flowing fluid having a temperature within the normal operating temperature range of the body and the wavelength of the energy being determined by said temperature, and adjusting the amplitude of the energy, by adjusting the flow rate of the fluid, to a value that is effective to substantially destroy defective cells without substantially destroying healthy cells.
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Abstract
Conditions, such as tumors, in a living body are treated by applying localized infrared electromagnetic energy to the affected area of the body. The energy is selected to have a wavelength such that the energy is absorbed by the cells, and the amplitude of the energy is adjusted to a value that is effective to cause destruction of defective cells without destroying healthy cells. Preferably, the energy is derived from a flowing fluid having a temperature within the normal operating temperature range of the body, which determines the wavelength of the energy, and the amplitude of the energy is adjusted by controlling the flow rate of the fluid.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A method of treating a condition in a living body that is produced by defective cells comprising applying to an area of the body containing the defective cells localized infrared electromagnetic energy having a wavelength such that the energy is absorbed by the defective cells, the energy being derived from a flowing fluid having a temperature within the normal operating temperature range of the body and the wavelength of the energy being determined by said temperature, and adjusting the amplitude of the energy, by adjusting the flow rate of the fluid, to a value that is effective to substantially destroy defective cells without substantially destroying healthy cells.
- 16. A method of treating a tumor in a living body comprising implanting a tube within the body adjacent to the tumor, passing a flowing fluid into the body through the tube, the fluid having a temperature within the normal operating temperature range of the body, removing the flowing fluid from the body, and adjusting the flow rate of the fluid to a value that is effective to substantially destroy tumor cells without substantially destroying healthy cells.
Specification