Hyperthermia and cavitation for cancer and thrombus treatment

• Main Authors: GUNNAR MYHR, BJORN AJ ANGELSEN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.10.2011
• Subjects: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DIAGNOSIS; ELECTROTHERAPY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MAGNETOTHERAPY; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; RADIATION THERAPY; SURGERY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY

A system and methods are provided for cancer and thrombi treatments in which firstly hyperthermia is induced, followed by cavitation and/or drug release in a region of interest 10 in a human or animal body. The system includes an energy transmitter 2 having a variable intensity and/or a variable frequency; and a control unit 5 to operate the energy transmitter 2 in at least two different modes. In one embodiment, which may use ultrasound, the first mode has a mechanical index below a threshold level for cavitation (high frequency); the second mode has a mechanical index above the threshold (low frequency). In another embodiment, the first mode induces hyperthermia below a threshold temperature for releasing an encapsulated agent and the second mode induces heating above the threshold temperature, and may use ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation in the radio or microwave ranges. The initial hyperthermia treatment enhances the effect of subsequent treatments by reducing hypoxia and improving blood and drug access to the region of interest. Temperature, cavitation and oxygenation may be monitored using an MRI device 1. Further treatments may be provided by unit 6.