Patent ID: 7599745
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of selectively destroying or inhibiting the growth of rapidly dividing cells located within a target region of a patient, comprising the steps of: imposing an AC electric field in the target region of the patient, wherein the electric field has frequency characteristics that correspond to a vulnerability of the rapidly dividing cells, wherein the electric field is strong enough to damage, during the late anaphase or telophase stages of cell division, a significant portion of the rapidly dividing cells whose long axis is generally aligned with the lines of force of the electric field, and wherein the electric field leaves non-dividing cells located within the target region substantially unchanged, wherein the electric field is imposed in the target region for one or more intervals of time, and wherein the presence of the electric field in the target region for the one or more intervals of time kills a therapeutically significant portion of the rapidly dividing cells.