Method of electroporation mediated delivery of drugs and genes
First Claim
1. A method for the therapeutic application of electroporation to a tissue of a subject for introducing molecules into cells therein, comprising:
- a) providing a system for electroporation comprising the following components in electrical communication;
(i) an electrode applicator having at least two opposing pairs of electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a needle electrode for penetrating tissue and introducing molecules into the tissue;
(ii) at least one identification element for providing information about the electrode applicator to the system;
(iii) a variable power supply to selectively supply voltage pulses to the electrodes; and
(iv) at least one switching element in electrical communication with each electrode, wherein the switching element directs pulses of opposite polarity voltage to selected opposing pairs of electrodes;
b) introducing molecules into selected tissue through the at least one needle electrode;
c) positioning the at least two opposing pairs of electrodes in conductive relation to the selected tissue; and
d) simultaneously applying the opposite polarity voltage pulses to the selected opposing electrode pairs;
wherein the applied voltage is proportionate to the distance between the electrode pairs, thereby causing electroporation of the tissue and introducing the molecules into the cells therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a “keying” element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for the therapeutic application of electroporation to a tissue of a subject for introducing molecules into cells therein, comprising:
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a) providing a system for electroporation comprising the following components in electrical communication;
(i) an electrode applicator having at least two opposing pairs of electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a needle electrode for penetrating tissue and introducing molecules into the tissue;
(ii) at least one identification element for providing information about the electrode applicator to the system;
(iii) a variable power supply to selectively supply voltage pulses to the electrodes; and
(iv) at least one switching element in electrical communication with each electrode, wherein the switching element directs pulses of opposite polarity voltage to selected opposing pairs of electrodes;
b) introducing molecules into selected tissue through the at least one needle electrode;
c) positioning the at least two opposing pairs of electrodes in conductive relation to the selected tissue; and
d) simultaneously applying the opposite polarity voltage pulses to the selected opposing electrode pairs;
wherein the applied voltage is proportionate to the distance between the electrode pairs, thereby causing electroporation of the tissue and introducing the molecules into the cells therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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18. A method for the in vivo electroporation therapy of a cell of a subject comprising:
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a) providing a system for electroporation comprising in electrical communication;
an electrode applicator having at least two opposing pairs of electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a needle electrode for penetrating tissue and introducing molecules into the tissue;
(ii) at least one identification element for providing information about the electrode applicator to the system;
(iii) a variable power supply to selectively supply voltage pulses to the electrodes; and
(iv) at least one switching element in electrical communication with each electrode, wherein the switching element directs pulses of opposite polarity voltage to selected opposing pairs of electrodes;
b) introducing a therapeutic composition into cells in selected tissue through the at least one needle electrode;
c) positioning the at least two opposing pairs of electrodes in conductive relation to the selected tissue; and
d) simultaneously applying the opposite polarity voltage pulses to the selected opposing electrode pairs wherein the applied voltage is proportionate to the distance between the electrode pairs, thereby causing in vivo electroporation of the tissue and introducing the therapeutic composition into the cells therein.
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23. A method for the therapeutic application of electroporation to a tissue of a subject for introducing molecules into cells therein, comprising:
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a) providing a system for electroporation comprising the following components in electrical communication;
(i) an electrode applicator having at least two opposing pairs of electrodes;
(ii) at least one identification element that provides information about the electrode applicator to the system;
(iii) a power supply to selectively apply voltage pulses to the system; and
(iv) at least one switching element in electrical communication with each electrode, wherein the switching element selectively directs the voltage pulses to the at least two pairs of electrodes;
b) inserting at least a first pair of the opposing electrodes into selected tissue of the subject;
c) positioning at least a second pair of the opposing electrodes in conductive relation to the selected tissue;
d) introducing molecules into the tissue; and
e) applying the opposite polarity voltage pulses to the selected opposing electrode pairs, thereby causing electroporation of the tissue and introducing the molecules into the cells therein. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification