[54] METHOD OF SELECTIVELY APPLYING NEEDLE ARRAY CONFIGURATIONS
[75] Inventors: Gunter A. Hofmann; Sukhendu B.
Dev, both of San Diego; Steven C.
Dimmer, Valley Center; Jeffrey I.
Levatter, Rancho Santa Fe; Gurvinder
S. Nanda, San Diego, all of Calif.
[73] Assignee: Centronics Inc., San Diego, Calif.
[21] Appl. No.: 09/189,070 [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1998
Related U.S. Application Data
[62] Division of application No. 08/905,240, Aug. 1, 1997.
[51] Int. CI. A61N 1 04
[52] U.S. CI 607/2
[58] Field of Search 604/19-22; 607/2,
607/66, 67, 89, 101, 116, 148
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of EPT utilizes low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a "keying" element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.
6 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
