BG103107A - Method and apparatus for electrochemiotherapy - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the treatment of malignant tumours where the effect of the antitumour substances is intensified by their joint application with electric pulses fed by means of electrodes. The pulses cause a break through (electropermeabilization) of the cellular membranes where the respective substances rush into the cell and develop their effect. The method consists in intratumour inoculation of local anaesthetic and antitumour form followed by the application of bipolar electric pulses with first and second phase having equal duration, wuith reduced period of repetition (1 ms) and reduced intensity (up to 1200 V/cm). Apart from known cytotoxic forms, the method also allows a combination of other biologically active substances resulting to the annihilation and suppressing the growth of tumour cells, as well as to means for the stimulation of the immune processes in the organism. The apparatus for electrochemiotherapy consists of a supply unit (1), timer (2) and two generators of powerful electric puilses (3 & 4). The timer has two outputs coupled to the inputs of generators (3 & 4) the outputs of which are comnnected in series, their common output being coupled to electrodes. The electrodes have an adjustable distance between them and small electrically active areas compared to their total geometrical surfaces. 8 claims, 4 figures