Patent ID: 6451002
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61N,C12M

Abstract:
A method for the therapeutic application of electroporation to a portion of the body of a patient for introducing molecules into cells of a tissue therein, comprising:providing an array of multiple opposed pairs of electrodes, wherein at least two opposed pairs of electrodes are activated simultaneously, at least one of said pairs of electrodes having a needle configuration for penetrating tissue; inserting a first pair of said needle electrodes into selected tissue; positioning a second pair of electrodes of said array of electrodes in conductive relation to said selected tissue so that said tissue is between said first and second pairs of electrodes; and said pairs of electrodes are opposed; and separately applying pulses of high amplitude electric signals to opposed pairs of the electrodes, but not all electrodes, simultaneously and proportionately to the distance between said electrodes so as to establish an electric field strength of from about 0.2 kV/cm to 20 kV/cm, thereby causing in vivo electroporation of the cells of the tissue.