Non-invasive cancer treatment
An apparatus ( 1 ) for treating a cancerous target site is provided. The apparatus comprises an electromagnetic emitter ( 10 ) comprising one or more electrodes with an electrically insulating coating for preventing electrical contact between the electrodes and the target site. The electromagnetic emitter ( 10 ) is configured to provide a tumour treating field at a target site ( 30 ) via the one or more electrodes, the tumour treating field being non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field having a frequency of between 10 kHz to 300 kHz; and further having a magnetic flux density of between 0.1 pT and 1 mT. The apparatus further comprises a heat source ( 20 ) configured to provide heating at the target site to cause hyperthermia at the target site. The apparatus is configured to apply the non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field and the heating independently. The apparatus comprises an electronic controller for electronically controlling the electromagnetic emitter and the heat source.
1 . An apparatus for treating a cancerous target site, comprising:
an electromagnetic emitter comprising one or more electrodes with an electrically insulating coating for preventing electrical contact between the electrodes and the target site, the electromagnetic emitter configured to provide a tumour treating field at a target site via the one or more electrodes, the tumour treating field being a non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field having a frequency of between 10 kHz to 300 kHz; and further having a magnetic flux density of between 0.1 pT and 1 mT;
a heat source configured to provide heating at the target site to cause hyperthermia at the target site; and
an electronic controller for electronically controlling the electromagnetic emitter and the heat source;
wherein the apparatus is configured to apply the non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field and the heating independently.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field at the target for a first time period, and to provide the heating at the target site for a second time period.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field at the target site for a first time period of between 1 minute and 24 hours.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to provide the heating at the target site for a second time period of between 1 minute and 360 minutes.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic emitter is configured to provide an alternating electromagnetic field at the target site having a magnetic flux density of between 0.1 pT and 100 μT.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic emitter is configured to provide an alternating electromagnetic field at the target site having a magnetic flux density of between 0.5 μT and 1 mT.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic emitter is configured to provide an alternating electromagnetic field at the target site having a magnetic flux density of between 8 μT and 1 mT.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein electromagnetic emitter is configured to provide an alternating electromagnetic field having a frequency of between 100 kHz to 300 kHz.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat source is configured to heat the target site to a temperature of above 42° C. and preferably between 42° C. and 57° C.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises an ultrasonic emitter configured to provide ultrasound radiation to the target site.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises an electromagnetic emitter configured to provide electromagnetic radiation to the target site.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a fluidic pump configured to pump fluid to the target site and a heater to heat the fluid before it reaches the target site.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a conductive heat emitter configured to provide heat to the target site by conduction of heat.
14 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the heating is applied simultaneously to the non-ionizing alternating electromagnetic field for a third time period.
15 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the heat source is configured to heat the target site to a temperature of between 42° C. and 57° C.
16 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the ultrasound radiation has one or more focal areas in the target site.