Method and device for treating abnormal tissue growth with electrical therapy

• US 8,014,854 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ionix Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ionix Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Kroll, Mark W., Schroeppel, Edward A., Kroll, Kai
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US12/173,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 604/20, 606/39
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/205 for promoting a biological process
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36002 Cancer treatment, e.g. tumour
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy

Abstract

This invention relates generally to the electrical treatment of malignant tumors and neoplasms by applying a voltage to affected tissue. Devices and various adaptations therein are described for use in electrical therapy. Additionally, various chemotherapeutic agent and radiation therapies are described which may be advantageously used in conjunction with electrical therapy to ameliorate cancer.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of abnormal tissue growth madeup of abnormal cells, the method comprising:

providing circuitry coupled to a power source;

providing at least one electrode operably coupled to said circuitry; and

delivering through said circuitry direct current electrical therapy as a series of

voltage pulses between 20 and 900 volts for ablating at least one abnormal cell and simultaneously causing electroporation of at least one abnormal cell;

wherein said electrical therapy is delivered at a duty cycle in the range of 50 to 70 percent.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said direct current electrical therapy is applied at voltages and time periods sufficient for changing the pH by at least 2.0 inside said abnormal tissue growth.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said direct current electrical therapy is applied for a period of time not less than 1 minute.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said direct current electrical therapy is delivered in pulses numbering between 1 and 10,000.