Targeted RF absorption enhancers, e.g., antibodies bound to RF absorbing particles, are introduced into a patient; will target certain cells in the target areas and enhance the effect of a hyperthermia generating RF signal directed toward the target area
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7510555-B2
Publication Date
2009-03-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of inducing hyperthermia in at least a portion of a target area—e.g., a tumor or a portion of a tumor or targeted cancerous cells—is provided. Targeted RF absorption enhancers, e.g., antibodies bound to RF absorbing particles, are introduced into a patient. These targeted RF absorption enhancers will target certain cells in the target areas and enhance the effect of a hyperthermia generating RF signal directed toward the target area. The targeted RF absorption enhancers may, in a manner of speaking, add one or more RF absorption frequencies to cells in the target area, which will permit a hyperthermia generating RF signal at that frequency or frequencies to heat the targeted cells.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method for killing or damaging target cells in a patient using RF-induced hyperthermia driven by RF absorption enhancers. The method introduces RF absorption enhancers into the patient that selectively bind to the target cells and generate sufficient heat to kill or damage only the bound target cells when an RF field is applied.
The RF field is generated by an RF signal applied between a transmission head and a reception head arranged differently from each other. The heads are arranged on opposite sides of a portion of the patient for treatment, and the RF field is directed to the portion of the patient between the transmission and reception heads that contains the RF absorption enhancers.
The disclosed RF absorption enhancers include components that interact with the applied RF field in a resonant or tuned manner to enable heating at desired conditions. The document describes targeted RF absorption enhancers such as antibodies bound to RF-absorbing particles, including metal particles, magnetic particles, tuned LC/TRF circuit particles with optional rectifiers/diodes, organometallics, and radionuclide particles.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines the core method for killing or damaging target cells using RF absorption enhancers and an RF field applied between a transmission head and a different reception head arranged on opposite sides. The independent claim includes three main inventive aspects.
Selective RF absorption enhancer binding and RF-field-only heating
Introducing into the patient RF absorption enhancers capable of selectively binding to the target cells and capable of generating sufficient heat to kill or damage the bound target cells by heat generated solely by the application of an RF field generated by an RF signal.
Opposite-side transmission and reception head arrangement
Arranging the transmission and reception heads on opposite sides of a portion of the patient for treatment.
Irradiation between heads to kill or damage bound cells
Irradiating the portion of the patient between the transmission and reception heads containing RF absorption enhancers with an RF field to kill or damage the target cells from the heat generated by the RF absorption enhancers.
Overall, the claims coverage centers on a targeted RF hyperthermia method where selectively binding RF absorption enhancers generate heat solely from an RF field applied between a transmission head and a different reception head positioned on opposite sides of the treated patient portion.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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