Patent ID: 7333852

Claim:
A method for selectively destroying dividing cells in living tissue, the dividing cells having polarizable intracellular members, the method comprising the steps of: passing a first electric field through the living tissue to produce a non-homogenous electric field within the dividing cells with an increased density in a region of a cleavage furrow in late anaphase or telophase, the non-homogenous electric field being sufficient to move the polarizable intracellular members toward the cleavage furrow until the intracellular members disrupt the cleavage furrow, wherein the passing step is implemented for one or more intervals of time that are collectively sufficient for the disruptions of the cleavage furrow to destroy a significant portion of the dividing cells in the living tissue, and wherein passage of the first electric field through nondividing cells in the living tissue leaves the nondividing cells substantially undamaged.