Treating a tumor or the like with electric fields at different frequencies
US8244345B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/40
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Cells that are in the late anaphase or telophase stages of cell division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like tumor cells, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Improved results may be achieved by using a field with two or more frequencies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.