Tumor Ablation Pulse Packets Tuned by Membrane Charging Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing targeted cancer therapies struggle to effectively and selectively treat tumor cells without harming surrounding normal cells, particularly due to the difficulty in identifying and developing therapies that can differentiate between different tissue types.
Innovation Solution
Applying sub-microsecond pulses at megahertz frequencies with tailored packet sizes based on the membrane charging time constant of target tissues, such as tumors, to induce regulated cell death while sparing non-target tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pharmacological or immunological targeted therapies are used, then cancer cells can be targeted, but it remains difficult to effectively differentiate between tumor cells and normal cells without harming surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields at megahertz frequencies, changing the temporal parameters of energy delivery. This allows selective ablation of tumor cells based on their distinct electrical properties (membrane capacitance, resistance, time constants) compared to normal cells, achieving reliable tumor targeting while sparing surrounding healthy tissue through precisely controlled pulse duration and frequency
2Manufacturing precision
If sub-microsecond pulses at megahertz frequencies are applied, then precise ablation of tumor tissue is achieved, but the complexity of determining and applying correct packet sizes based on membrane charging time constants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the membrane charging time constant of the target tissue and uses this feedback information to automatically determine the appropriate packet size. This closed-loop approach simplifies the complexity by allowing the system to self-adjust based on real-time tissue characterization, eliminating the need for complex manual calculations while maintaining precise tumor ablation
3Reliability
If high electric fields are used for tumor ablation, then effective tumor cell death is achieved, but the energy density required increases and may affect non-target tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic sub-microsecond pulses delivered in packets at megahertz frequencies. This periodic action allows cumulative charging of the tumor cell membranes over multiple pulses, achieving effective cell death through repeated sub-threshold stimulation rather than a single high-energy pulse, thereby reducing the overall energy density required while maintaining reliable tumor ablation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise ablation of tumor tissues by exploiting differences in electrical properties, reducing the energy density required and minimizing damage to adjacent non-tumor cells.
Implementation Method 1
the induced plasma membrane potential change during the pulse exposure will typically result in a similar membrane charging in virtually all cells
Implementation Method 2
Since the charging time constant of any typical tissue is much higher than the pulse duration of 200 ns and since the electric field amplitude is very high, the induced plasma membrane potential change during the pulse exposure will typically result in a similar membrane charging
Implementation Method 3
which may induce intracellular stress to organelles such as the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
Implementation Method 4
Described herein are apparatuses that may target specific tissue types based on the electrical time constant of the target vs. non-target tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for selectively treating, including killing, tissues or cells with packets of sub-microsecond duration, high frequency electrical pulses in which the packet size (e.g., number of pulses) delivered is set based on the membrane charging time constant for the target tissue or cells.