Method for treatment of neoplastic cells in the prostate of a patient
View Patent ↗An apparatus and a method for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are disclosed. The apparatus includes an applicator piece carrying a set of electrodes shaped and positioned to create a substantial electric field in the volume of hyperplasia and a pulse generator adapted for delivery of electrical pulses above the upper electroporation limit for the neoplastic cells. The amplitude, duration and number of the electrical pulses are generally selected to cause necrosis of a significant fraction of the volume of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The apparatus may include a high frequency system for heating the prostatic tissue and a cooling system for cooling the urethra. The combined action of heating and cooling may increase the temperature of the prostate cells to 45 degrees C. to 55 degrees C., while keeping the urinary tract at a temperature 15 degrees C. to 20 degrees C. This temperature distribution can increase the selectivity of the treatment by increasing susceptibility of the neoplastic cells to the electroporation treatment and decreasing it for the normal urethral tissues.
1. A method for treating neoplastic cells of the prostate of a patient, comprising:
placing a set of electrically conductive electrodes in the body of a patient near the neoplastic cells of the prostate to be treated; and
applying, through the placed electrodes, a plurality of electric pulses in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in the membranes of the neoplastic cells so as to cause irreversible electroporation necrosis of the neoplastic cells.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising cooling a urethra to a temperature in the range of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising heating the neoplastic cells to a temperature in the range of 45 to 50 degrees Celsius before applying the electric pulses.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one temperature sensor to be placed in the vicinity of the electrodes for use in monitoring the temperature of the prostate.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the resistance of the treated neoplastic cells after treatment for use in determining an end-point of the treatment.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes applying a plurality of rectangular pulses.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of placing includes placing the set of electrodes using a perineal needle template under ultrasound guidance.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes applying each pulse with a duration of at least 10 microseconds.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes applying each pulse with a duration of at least 10 microseconds and with an amplitude of at least 1000 Volts/cm.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising injecting a cytotoxic drug into the neoplastic cells.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying includes applying the plurality of pulses through a switch circuit to commutate the electric pulses between the set of electrodes.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of applying further includes applying the plurality of pulses with each pulse having a duration of at least 10 microseconds and having an amplitude of at least 1000 volts/cm.
13. A method for treating neoplastic cells of the prostate of a patient, comprising:
piercing a perineum to place a set of electrically conductive electrodes in the body of a patient near neoplastic cells to be treated; and
applying, through the placed electrodes, a plurality of electric pulses with each pulse having a duration of at least 10 microseconds and having an amplitude of at least 1000 volts/cm to irreversibly open pores in the membranes of the neoplastic cells so as to cause irreversible electroporation necrosis of the neoplastic cells.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of applying includes applying the plurality of pulses through a switch circuit to commutate the electric pulses between the set of electrodes.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the set of electrodes are placed using a perineal needle template under ultrasound guidance.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising injecting a cytotoxic drug into the neoplastic cells.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising monitoring the resistance of the treated neoplastic cells after treatment for use in determining an end-point of the treatment.