초록 ▼

In the treatment of a tumor with radiation therapy is enhanced by a weak magnetic field, the field strength time sequence of exposure and shape and contour of the magnetic field are varied to achieve desired results. In one separate aspect, exposure to a magnetic field is continued after exposure to

In the treatment of a tumor with radiation therapy is enhanced by a weak magnetic field, the field strength time sequence of exposure and shape and contour of the magnetic field are varied to achieve desired results. In one separate aspect, exposure to a magnetic field is continued after exposure to a free radical-creating therapy is ceased or diminished, thereby increasing the lifetimes of free radicals which have already been created. In another preferred embodiment a magnetic field is strategically placed to avoid extending the lives of free radicals in tissue through which a free radical-creating beam must pass, to reach a tumor. This application discloses quantitative parameters for field strength and exposure time to create concentrations and reactivity of free radicals, including long-lived free radicals and discloses the use of shaped, contoured, and designed electromagnetic fields. A treatment planning station is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of creating an elevated concentration of free radicals having augmented lifetimes within a tumor in a patient, comprising: a. exposing said tumor to a first stimulus sufficient to create an elevated concentration of free radicals in said tumor and then ceasing to expose said tumor to sai

1. A method of creating an elevated concentration of free radicals having augmented lifetimes within a tumor in a patient, comprising: a. exposing said tumor to a first stimulus sufficient to create an elevated concentration of free radicals in said tumor and then ceasing to expose said tumor to said stimulus;b. after ceasing to expose said tumor to said first stimulus, exposing said tumor to a second stimulus sufficient to maintain an elevated concentration of free radicals in said tumor and creating a magnetic field that traverses said tumor and that inhibits the recombination of said free radicals in said tumor, thereby augmenting said lifetimes of said free radicals; andc. ceasing said second stimulus and continuing to create said magnetic field for at least one minute after ceasing said second stimulus, whereby said magnetic field continues to prolong free radical lifetimes in said tumor. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said tumor is within a patient and said patient is moved from a first room to a second room, between the performance of step a, and the later performance of step b. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said magnetic field is of a magnitude that inhibits the interstate crossing of triplet state free radical pairs to singlet state free radical pairs. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said magnetic field is created by at least one magnet positioned exterior to said tumor. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said magnetic field is created by magnetic particles that are injected into proximity to said tumor. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said elevated concentration of free radicals is created by sound waves. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said elevated concentration of free radicals is created by acoustic cavitation. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said tumor is made up of tumor cells and said free radicals interfere with the operation of enzymes within said tumor cells. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said magnetic field is contoured, scaled or designed to conform to tumor volume or shape. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein electromagnetic shielding is used about said tumor to block ambient electromagnetic interference from said tumor. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said creation of said magnetic field continues after said ceasing of said second stimulus, for between 5 minutes and 3 hours. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said creation of said magnetic field continues after said ceasing of said second stimulus, for between 20 minutes and 2 hours. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said creation of said magnetic field continues after said ceasing of said second stimulus, for between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said creation of said magnetic field continues after said ceasing of said second stimulus, for more than 10 minutes. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said creation of said magnetic field continues after said ceasing of said second stimulus, for more than 30 minutes. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said creation of said magnetic field begins after a gap of greater than 10 seconds from said ceasing of said first stimulus and continues after said ceasing of said second stimulus for more than 1 hour. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said first stimulus is a radiation beam having a first strength, sufficient to raise the concentration of free radicals to a desired level and said second stimulus is a radiation beam of a second strength lower than said first strength sufficient to maintain the level of free radicals.