Electromedicine
Health for Humanity is committed to stopping the cancer process in your body. Technology second to none has been developed from not only the 3 decades
of research conducted by the North Carolina Institute of Technology, but also by many of the world's greatest scientists. Only in Ecuador will one find this technology as Ecuador becomes the international center for the cure of breast cancer and other diseases. Here we list studies done with the same electromedicine devices that we use here in the clinic.
INDEX
Electro-Carcinoma Therapy in Germany
Tumor Regression by Electric Current
Targeting Cancers Key Enzyme with Electric Current
Cancer Treatment by Oscillating Magnetic Fields
Electric Current Helps Wipe Out Liver Tumours
Treatment of Blood with Electric Current
Microbial Inactivation by Oscillating Magnetic Fields
Deactivation of Microorganisms by an Oscillating Magnetic Field
Electric current helps diabetic foot ulcers heal
Ultra-Low Microcurrents heal chronic skin wounds
Biocompatible Electric Current Stops HIV-1 Infectivity
Magnetic Pulser Field Therapy
Health Effects of Electro-Magnetic Fields
Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2007 Aug;6(4):295-300.
Irreversible electroporation: implications for prostate ablation.
Gary Onik, M.D.3,2,*, Paul Mikus, B.Sc.2, Boris Rubinsky, Ph.D.1,2,4
1. Center for Bioengineering in the Service of Humanity and Society
School of Engineering and Computer Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Oncobionic Inc., 30211 Avenida De las Banderas Suite 200
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92679, USA
3. Department of Radiology, Celebration Health/Florida Hospital, Suite A-280, 400 Celebration Place, Celebration, Florida 34747, USA
4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Bioengineering
University of California at Berkeley
*OnikCryo@aol.com
Abstract
Percutaneous prostate cryo-ablation has become an accepted treatment for primary prostate cancer. Thermal tissue ablation based on cold, however, does have some distinct limitations. These include, variable damage at the cryo lesions margin, injury to adjacent structures such as rectum, urethra and NVB (neurovascular bundle), and long procedure time due to the need for multiple freeze thaw cycles, that have limited the acceptance of this modality. Irreversible electroporation IRE, is a new non-thermal ablation modality that uses short pulses of DC electric current to create irreversible pore in the cell membrane, thus, causing cell death. This method theoretically should have significant advantages in ablating prostate tissue.
Six males dogs had their prostates treated using IRE. Pulses were applied using a DC generator that delivered pulses in the microsecond range of duration, with a variable pulse interval and voltage range. IRE probes were placed percutaneously or trans-rectally using trans-rectal ultrasound guidance. In one of the dogs, the lesions were made purposely to include the rectum, urethra, and neurovascular bundle (NVB). Subjects were followed for 1 to 14 days before sacrifice.
IRE lesions in the prostate had unique characteristics compared to thermal lesions. The margins of the IRE lesions was very distinct with a narrow zone of transition from normal to complete necrosis, there was complete destruction within the IRE lesion, and rapid resolution of the lesions with marked shrinkage within two weeks. Structures such as urethra, vessels, nerves, and rectum were unaffected by the IRE application.
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Introduction
Percutaneous prostate cryo-ablation has become an accepted treatment for primary prostate cancer (1). Cryoablative lesions, however, have some distinct limitations, such as variable damage at the cryo lesions margin, injury to adjacent structures such as rectum, urethra and neurovascular bundle (NVB), and long procedure time due to the need for multiple freeze thaw cycles. These characteristics have limited the widespread acceptance of this modality despite certain demonstrated advantages over the more traditional treatments of radiation and radical prostatectomy (2). Irreversible electroporation (IRE), is a new non-thermal ablation modality that uses short pulses of DC electric current to create irreversible pores in the cell membrane, thus, causing cell death. This method has been shown to have significant advantages in ablating hepatic tissue, such as rapid lesion creation, rapid lesion resolution, sparing of structures such as vessels and bile ducts, and uniform destruction throughout the IRE lesion (3). In addition IRE is extension of an already successful cancer treatment electro-chemotherapy in which reversible electroporation is accomplished (opening of the cell membrane that then closes allowing chemotherapy into the cell resulting in it’s death) (5). It is postulated that IRE advantages could be directly applied to the prostate as well with out the use of chemotherapy as needed in electrochemotherapy. In this paper, we will describe the first application of IRE to prostate tissue.
Methods
This study was conducted in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice regulations as set forth by the 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 58 and was approved by the animal use committee. Each procedure started with anesthetization of the animal under general anesthesia per SOP #33156. In addition, pancuronium (0.1 mg/kg,) was administered through an IV prior to the procedure, to reduce muscle contractions during the application of the electrical pulses. Pancuronium (0.05 mg/ml at 1 mg/ml) was administered throughout the procedure as needed.
Six male beagle dogs had their prostates treated using IRE. Using trans-rectal US 18 gauge electrodes were placed transperennially into the prostate in three dogs. One to four probes were placed into one lobe of the prostate in five dogs. In two dogs, four probes were placed in order to create a hemi-ablation of the prostate. The probes were used in pairs of two, and each pair applied 80 pulses of 1500, with a pulse length of 100 microseconds. In the sixth dog pairs of probes were placed to purposely create a lesion in certain sensitive structures such as the urethra, rectum, and neurovascular bundles. Pulses applied in the safety study at each anatomical structure were 80 pulses of 2000 V with a pulse length of 100 microseconds. Pulses were applied using a DC generator (Oncobionic Inc.) that delivered pulses in the microsecond range of duration, with a variable pulse interval and voltage range. IRE was delivered in a bipolar manner between two probes, separated by between 1 and 1.5 cm. In three subjects a single probe with both electrodes incorporated into it and separated by 5mm was placed trans-rectally using ultrasound guidance. Treatment parameters of the single probe were 1 or 8 pulses of 1000 V with a pulse length of 100 microseconds. Pulses delivered per lesion varied in number. Three animals sacrificed at one day had 8 pulse delivered at 1 kV and two animals sacrificed at 2 weeks had 80 pulses delivered per pair of electrodes using 1.5 kV. The duration of the pulses was 100 microsecond with an interval between pulses of 100-200 milliseconds.
Results
All animals survived the procedure. Upon application of the IRE pulse a variable degree of generalized muscle contraction occurred in each animal, from no contraction to mild to moderate contraction. The degree of contraction appeared to be related to the level of anesthesia of the animal, the degree of muscle blocking agents given, if any, and the voltage of the pulse used, with the higher voltages causing greater contractions. In previously reported experiments (3) we found that when Pancuronium was administered to the animals at the doses reported earlier, the contractions were manageable even when a maximal voltage of 3kV was applied to the electrodes. It appears that voltages lower than 1.5 kV as used in these experiments, produced little to no contraction in anesthetized animals and paralyzed animals. This is important because potential major movement of the animal could potentially cause damage to unwanted structures due to needle movement.
The study is limited by the small number of animals and variance of the parameters used; therefore, a comparison of the various voltages and pulse sequences and the effect that they might have on the histology, both immediate and delayed, cannot be made form this study. At 1 day the lesion made at 1 kV with 8 pulses appeared grossly to be hemorrhagic (Figure 1). Histology showed the ablated area to have diffuse necrotic glandular tissue with no obvious viable tissue within the ablated zone (Figure 2). The ablated zone was well demarcated from the immediately adjacent unaffected prostate parenchyma with an abrupt transition between necrotic glandular tissue in the ablation area and adjacent normal glandular tissue (Figure 3). Necrotic glandular tissue was noted adjacent to the urethra; however, the urethral structural integrity remained intact without evidence for necrosis within the sub-mucosa (Figure 4), even when the urethra was subjected to direct ablation during the safety portion of the study. In the neurovascular bundle areas, including the neurovascular bundle that was directly ablated during the safety portion of the study, vessels had variable loss of endothelium and were surrounded by scattered red blood cells (hemorrhage), neurophils, and edematous stroma. In some areas the vessel walls were hyper eosinophilic and homogenous consistent with fibrinoid necrosis. The lumen of affected vessels remained patent however without evidence for thrombosis (Figure 5). In addition, no heat sink effect was evident adjacent to vessels with complete necrosis adjacent and often surrounding patent vasculature. Nerves within the neurovascular bundles appeared to be intact and unaffected (Figure 6). Even ganglion cells showed no evidence of cells death.
Science magazine #130, 1959, Humphrey and Seal
Biophysical Approach Toward Tumor Regression In Mice
Mice
were given implants of sarcoma-180. External electrodes (1" x 1.5") were
placed on the skin, one on the tumor area. 3mA of direct current was
applied for 4.8 hours daily for 21 days, at which time there was 60% total
regression (tumor death) in all treated mice.
Click here for more complete info on
tumor electrical treatments.
Health Effects of Electro-Magnetic Fields
from Science News, Vol. 156, No. 20
November 13, 1999, p. 316
http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/11_13_99/bob2.htm
http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/11_13_99/bob2ref.htm
Two previous studies had found that electro-magnetic fields (EMFs)
reduce pain and swelling. EMFs also have that effect in a new trial
headed by orthopedic surgeon Roy K. Aaron. Presumably, he says, it does
it "by changing the chemistry of the joint." Studies by his team and
others indicate that these fields can increase a joint's production of
natural anti-inflammatory agents, such as transforming growth
factor-beta. Not surprisingly, Aaron notes, medical supply companies
are now developing products, such as a glove with coils, to deliver
EMFs to arthritis-ravaged joints. Softer tissues also respond to these
fields. For instance, Arthur A. Pilla, a biophysicist at the Mount
Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, observes that many people
with bone breaks experience significant pain in muscles around their
injuries. Shortly after EMF therapy begins, however, that pain
disappears. Though the mechanism remains elusive, Pilla says, the
treatment seems to affect swelling, which can cause pain. If this
proves true, he says, EMFs might benefit people with carpal tunnel
syndrome, where swelling in the wrist pinches nerves going to the
fingers. Indeed, that's a possibility that Betty F. Sisken of the
University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington would like to
explore. Currently, she's probing EMFs' direct influence on nerves. In
their initial studies, she and her colleagues crushed a nerve in the
hind leg of rats and then treated the animals with EMFs for 4 hours
daily.
BIOCOMPATIBLE ELECTRIC CURRENT ATTENUATES HIV-1 INFECTIVITY
William D. Lyman, Irwin R. Merkatz
William C. Hatch and Steven C. Kaali
Departments of Pathology, and Obstetrics & Gyneclogy
Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
1300 Morris Park Ave. Bronx, N.Y. 10461
Summary
In this report, we present the results of double-blinded studies on the
use of direct electric current to alter the infectivity of HIV-1 for
susceptible cells in vitro. These experimental currents were equal to
3.85 and 7.7µA/mm2
current densities respectively. The reduction of infectivity was
dependent upon the total electric charge (µA x min) passing through the
chamber to which the virus was exposed. Viral infectivity was
determined by two independent measures: a syncytium-formation assay
which can be used to quantify the production of infectious particles;
and a reverse transcriptase assay which is an index of viral protein
production.
Results
Syncytium-formation assay:
Using this index
of HIV-1 infectivity, it was determined that exposing virus to direct
electric current suppressed its capacity to induce the formation of
syncytia. Figure 1 shows a representative experiment and Table 2 shows
the Croup data for 3 separate experiments. As can be noted in Figure 1,
a statistically significant (p<0.001) reduction in syncytium number
was absented and this reduction was dependent upon the current applied
to the viral isolate. At three different viral dilutions, there were
analogous results in that a total charge of 200µA x min
(25µA for 8
minutes) reduced the number of syncytia from 50% to 65% while a charge
of 3O0µA x min (50µA for 6 minutes, 75µA for 4 minutes or 100µA for 3
minutes) resulted in 90% reduction.
Reverse transcriptase assay:
The direct electric currents to
which HIV-l was exposed also reduced reverse transcriptase activity.
Five separate experiments were conducted and a representative
experiment is shown in Figure 2 and the data are included in Table 3.
As can be seen in Figure 2, there was a significant decrease in the
amount of reverse transcriptase activity after exposure of the virus to
either 50A for 3 or 6 minutes. An equivalent reduction in reverse
transcriptase activity was also noted with exposure to 100µA for 3
minutes and almost ablation of reverse transcriptase activity was seen
with exposure of the viral isolate to 100µA for 6 minutes. The group
data (Table 3) show that after exposure to 50µA for 6 minutes, there
was a 44% reduction in activity and treatment of virus with 100µA for 6
minutes resulted in a 94% reduction. An analysis of variance indicates
that the decrease in reverse transcriptase activity was statistically
significant (p<0.0001).
DISCUSSION
The results reported here demonstrate that HIV-1 treated with direct
electric currents from 50 to 100µA has a significantly reduced
infectivity for susceptible cells in vitro. This reduction of
infectivity correlates with the total electric charge passing through
the chamber. The therapeutic potential of electric current may reside
in its ability to lower the viral titer to subclinical significance or
in its incorporation into a strategy analogous to that of other
therapies in which repeated cycles of treatment eventually achieve
remission or cure. It may be also feasible to treat AIDS patients with
direct electric current using either extracorporeal [out of body]
systems or self contained indwelling electrodes.
Figure l
Syncytium Formation at 1:160 dilution
| exposure (µA/minute) |
0/6 |
25/8 |
50/6 |
50/6 |
100/3 |
| # of syncytium formed |
128 |
45 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
Five aliquots of the RF strain of HIV-1 were exposed to direct electric
current. At all the dilutions tested, electrical treatment of the virus
aliquots resulted in a significant decrease in syncytium formation.
Figure 2
Reverse Transcriptase Activity
| exposure
(µA/minute) |
0/3 |
0/6 |
50/3 |
50/6 |
100/3
|
100/6
|
| reverse
transcriptase |
300 |
205 |
108 |
105 |
100 |
12 |
| (count
per million x 10-3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six aliquots of the RF strain of HIV-1 were exposed to different
amounts of current for 3 or 6 minutes. A significant decrease
(p<0.005) from 0 current levels (0/3 and 0/6) in reverse
transcriptase activity is noted. However, the decrease is more
significant (p<0.0001) when virus is exposed to 100µA for 6 minutes.
Our Notes on this paper:
Human CD4 immune
blood cells were exposed to various amounts of electric current for various
amounts of time and then mixed with HIV-1 virus. The resultant decrease in CD4
infection by the virus (resulting in cell enlargement [syncytium] and reverse
transcriptase production) is listed in the two tables under the column headings
indicating how much electric current in microamperes (µA=
millionths of an ampere) was applied to the virus for how many minutes. 100µA applied for 3 minutes to the virus produced only approximately
2% of the number of enlarged cells (syncytium) as was produced after 6
minutes without electrical treatment of the virus. 100µA is equal to 7.7µA per square millimeter (mm2)
of the surface of the electrodes delivering the electric current to the
virus.
Explanation of tests: Human CD4 immune cells, when exposed to HIV-1
virus, normally become infected with the virus and then enlarged as the
virus reproduces itself (with the coerced help of the blood cell)
within the CD4 cell. So anything that can reduce the viral infectivity
(the ability of the virus to infect a cell) can be tested in the
laboratory to see if less enlarged cells (syncytium) are produced which
will show the degree of success of the anti-viral. Reverse
transcriptase is an enzyme used by retroviruses to form a complementary
DNA sequence (cDNA) from their RNA. The resulting DNA is then inserted
into the chromosome of the host cell. A test showing how much is being
produced is a way to quantify approximately how much viral reproduction
has happened as a result of viral infection of the CD4 cells. So a test
result showing reduced reverse transcriptase activity is one that shows
how successful an anti-viral is at reducing the infectivity of a virus.
U.S. PATENT 5,139,684
By Steven Kaali and Peter Schwolsky
Filed 11-16-1990, approved 8-18-1992
Electrically conductive methods and systems for treatment of
blood and other body fluids and/or synthetic fluids with electric
forces
Claimed:
"...applying... no biologically damaging
electric potentials... to the electrically conductive electrode
segments whereby electric field forces are produced... that induce
biologically compatible current flow through the blood... to attenuate
bacteria, virus, parasites, fungus contained in the blood... to render
the bacteria, virus, parasites, fungus ineffective while not impairing
the biological usefulness of the fluids"
Summary:
"...to attenuate such contaminants to the extent
that bacteria, virus, or fungus, or parasites contained in the blood...
are rendered ineffective to infect or affect healthy cells."
Best Mode of Practicing Invention:
"For example, treatment
of AIDS virus in media at 100 microamperes for 3 minutes has been
observed to substantially attenuate (render ineffective) the AIDS
virus."
Experimental Results:
"In conclusion, these experiments...
indicate at a statistically significant level that direct electric
current... can attenuate the ability of HIV-1 to infect normally
healthy cells which are susceptible to the HIV-1 AIDS virus." "Both of
these assays (syncytia & reverse transcriptase) are widely used as
reproducible measures of viral infection and can be used to determine
if alternations in viral infectivity as a product of this electrical
treatment can be detected."
"...it is believed obvious that other modifications and variations of
the invention will be suggested to those skilled in the art in the
light of the above teachings."
"...it is possible that certain virus may be attenuated (or attenuated
at a faster rate) if they are exposed to a greater electric current
magnitude of the order of 70% microamperes for shorter time periods."
Our Notes on PATENT 5,139,684:
The patent's 1st laboratory test used
electrically treated (at 100µA/3min which is 7.7µA per square
millimeter for 3 minutes) HIV-l virus mixed with human T cells (immune
cells which the HIV likes to infect) and showed 99% less infected &
enlarged T cells (syncytia) by viruses after 4 days compared to T cells
mixed with HIV-1 not electrically treated. The patents 2nd lab test
used electrically treated (l00µA/6min) HIV-1 mixed with blood T cells
and showed 72% less virus associated enzymes (reverse transcriptase
produced as a result of viral reproduction) after 4 days, compared to T
cells mixed with HIV-1 not treated. The patent stated; "it is possible
that certain virus may be attenuated (or attenuated at a faster rate)
if they are exposed to a greater electric current magnitude of the
order of 70% microamperes for shorter time periods." 70% microamperes (70%µA) applied to the experiments electrodes with a surface area of
13.3mm2 yields a current of 38.5µA per square millimeter (38.5µA/mm2). In approximation of this idea, my
Microbe Electrifier was estimated to produce 17 to
34µA/mm2 (for 4 - 8 mm2
cross sectional arterial area). This high current is necessary due to
the short (but repeated) treatment durations of blood when using an
electrode on each wrist. Due to the short durations of exposure to the
electricity, as the
blood passes through the main arteries (~ 1 minute), it is necessary to
do treatments of up to 1 - 2 hours.
U.S.
Patent 4,665,898
Inventor: Jonathan L. Costa, Gunter A. Hofmann
Date: May 19, 1987
Malignancy Treatment
Abstract
A body part of an animal afflicted with malignant cells is disposed within a
magnetic coil and subjected to a plurality of magnetic field pulses, the pulses
having intensities of between about l and about 100 Tesla and characteristic
frequencies of between about 5 and about 100 kHz. The pulses magnetic field
selectively inactivates and/or destroys malignant cells with relatively little
damage to normal tissue.
Summary of the Invention
... Herein, it is discovered that high intensity magnetic fields applied in
short pulses with moderate frequencies, can be used to selectively destroy or
otherwise inactivate malignant cells within tissue of a living animal. Selective
inactivation of malignant cells within animal tissue subjected to a pulsed
magnetic field is accomplished without noticeable deterioration of gross
characteristics of normal tissue.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
It is found that subjecting body parts containing cancerous tissue to a
plurality of magnetic field pulses, with characteristic frequencies above about
5 kHz and intensities above about 1 Tesla, will either arrest the growth of
tumors or progressively reduce the number of cancerous cells, resulting in
remission of tumors... The magnetic field in the coil is produced upon discharge
of a bank of capacitors. The capacitor bank is charged from a source, and when a
switch is closed... an oscillating current can be generated between the plates
of the capacitors. The oscillating current, in turn, generates a pulsed magnetic
field which is concentrated within the region bounded by the coil... Immediately
subsequent to closing the switch, an intense magnetic field is produced by
current flowing in one direction. As the current changes direction, the magnetic
field changes polarity... The oscillating current and, hence, the oscillating
magnetic field rapidly decreases after about ten oscillations dropping to a few
percent of the original magnetic field strength. Herein, magnetic field
intensities refer to the intensities of the initial peaks... The method is
applicable to practically any type of tissue and is believed applicable for
treatment of most types of malignancies... In each session, an animal is exposed
to at least 1 and up to 1000 magnetic pulses. Generally a living animal would be
subjected to at least ten pulses at each therapy session and up to one hundred
pulses. An animal will be subjected to additional sessions until tumor remission
is achieved... Malignant cells are more susceptible to destruction and/or
inactivation by a pulsed intense electromagnetic field because the field may
create eddy currents that are unique to the tumor. These localized eddy currents
may cause effects that are deleterious to the viability and/or reproductive
capability of the tumor cells. Alternatively, there may be macromolecules unique
to malignant cells which are especially magnetically susceptible... Furthermore,
treatment with a pulsed magnetic field does far less damage to the natural
immune system than does radiation treatment or chemotherapy. Frequently, a
patient who is treated extensively with ionizing radiation and/or with
chemotherapy will experience an almost complete breakdown of the immune system.
Subsequent to treatment, the immune system may take up to a year to recover,
particularly with respect to immunity to viral infections. As a result, even if
a patient is cured of the malignancy by radiation and/or chemotherapy, he is
subject to debilitating disease or even death by infections to which his body
would ordinarily have built up immunity. With the magnetic treatment described
herein, here has been no evidence of major immune system beak-down.
TABLE 2
Evaluation of the Growth of Rat Mammary Tumors Following Multiple Exposures to a
Rapidly Varying Magnetic Field
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tumors with |
|
|
|
|
|
Total #. |
Interruption |
Tumors with |
Total |
Responding |
| Tumor type |
Tesla/kHz
|
of Tumors |
of Growth
|
Shrinkage
|
Tumors |
in percent
|
|
DMBA
|
5T / 8kHz
|
8
|
2
|
6
|
8
|
100%
|
|
primary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NMU
|
5T / 8kHz
|
10
|
1
|
9
|
10
|
100%
|
|
primary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It can be seen from the above table that the
method of the present invention is useful for treating a variety of
malignancies, although the response varies according to the type of tumor.
Accordingly, the method has general applicability to malignancy treatment.
Example 3
Twelve rats having primary DMBA-induced mammary carcinomas were treated daily
with a conventional Magneform machine. A primary mammary gland carcinoma induced
by a carcinogen, such as DMBA or NMU, is highly virulent, as outlined in
substantial detail in P. M. Guillino, et al., Journal of the National Cancer
Institute, Vol. 54, no. 2, February 1974. It is common for such a tumor in a rat
to increase in size by about 10 to 30 fold in about 30 days, and if left
untreated almost invariably will ulcerate within about 45 days. Ten of the rats
are treated daily with 20 pulses at 5 Tesla and 8 KHz. Their tumor volumes on
the 1st and 30th days are listed in with table 3 below:
TABLE 3
| Test |
Tumor volume (cm3) |
tumor volume (cm3) |
|
Rat |
Day 1 |
Day 30
|
| 1. |
1.60 |
1.95 |
| 2. |
1.20 |
3.65 |
| 3. |
2.10 |
1.20 |
| 4. |
1.40 |
3.81 |
| 5. |
.90 |
.42 |
| 6. |
3.00 |
3.81 |
| 7. |
.38 |
.45 |
| 8. |
2.10 |
8.18 |
| 9. |
6.79 |
8.88 |
| 10. |
1.10 |
.85 |
It can be seen from the above table that after
thirty days the tumors were either diminished in size, stabilized, or at least
controlled relative to untreated tumors... The remaining two rats were treated
in an identical manner but at 1/4th the field intensity, i.e., 1.2 Tesla, 8 kHz,
20 pulses. One of these died on day 58 while the tumor size of the other had
decreased in size from 1.6 cm3 on day 1 to 1.4 cm3 on day
62. The rats generally appeared to exhibit normal behavior and appetite and did
not appear to lose weight. The fact that the rats did not die of infections
suggested that the immune systems functioned normally.
Our Notes on Patent 4,665,898
This device produces the same type of oscillating magnetic field as does my OMF
Generator. The basic design of mine is the same, with a capacitor (charged with
high voltage) connected in parallel with a coil by an electrically controlled
switch (a xenon flash tube) to produce a decaying oscillating magnetic field.
This patents device varies from mine in application only by the test subject
being placed inside the coil, whereas mine was used so that the coil rests on
the test subject which is effected by the lines of magnetic force emanating from
the coil. Field force becomes less and less with more distance from the center
of the coil as is indicated by the field force lines separating more. The
results of test example 1 is a reduction of live cancer cells (in test tube) of
32% of undifferentiated carcinoma and 29% of embryonic carcinoma after 18 days.
This was after 8 pulses of oscillating magnetic field of 5 Tesla at 8 kHz on day
1. The results of test example 2 is 75% and 90% of treated rat mammary tumors (6
of 8 DMBA primary tumors, and 9 of 10 NMU primary tumors) shrunken after 20
pulses daily of OMF at 5 Tesla and 8 kHz for 6 days. The results of test example
3 is an average 86% reduction of tumor size after 30 days (compared to a typical
20 times tumor growth after 30 days). Treatment was with 20 pulses OMF of 5
Tesla at 8 KHZ daily for 30 days. Tumors were induced by injection of the DMBA
chemical. The table below has columns for the typical 20x size after 30 days and
the percent reduction of the treated tumors compared to the 20x size. It also
shows the equally positive lower intensity (1.2 Tesla) test results on one tumor
with a resultant 96% reduction.
TABLE 3
|
Tumor volume (cm3) |
Tumor volume (cm3) |
typical size after |
percent |
| Rat # |
Day 1 |
Day 30 |
30 days untreated |
tumor reduction |
| 1. |
1.60 |
1.95 |
32.0 |
94% |
| 2. |
1.20 |
3.65 |
24.0 |
85% |
| 3. |
2.10 |
1.20 |
42.0 |
97% |
| 4. |
1.40 |
3.81 |
28.0 |
86% |
| 5. |
.90 |
.42 |
18.0 |
98% |
| 6. |
3.00 |
3.81 |
60.0 |
94% |
| 7. |
.38 |
.45 |
7.6 |
94% |
| 8. |
2.10 |
8.18 |
42.0 |
81% |
| 9. |
6.79 |
8.88 |
13.6 |
35% |
| 10. |
1.10 |
.85 |
22.0 |
96% |
|
|
|
|
86% average |
|
|
|
|
|
results of treatment with 20 pulses of 1.2 Tesla at 8 kHz for 30 days:
[from: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/ift-omf.html]
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
June 2, 2000
Kinetics of Microbial
Inactivation for Alternative Food Processing Technologies
Oscillating Magnetic Fields
Scope of Deliverables
This section reports the effects of magnetic fields on microbial populations.
1. Definition, Description and Application
Static (SMF) and oscillating (OMF) magnetic fields have been explored for their potential as microbial inactivation methods... an OMF is
applied in the form of constant amplitude or decaying amplitude sinusoidal waves. OMF applied in the form of pulses reverse the charge for
each pulse, and the intensity of each pulse decreases with time to about 10% of the initial intensity (Pothakamury and others 1993).
Preservation of foods with OMF involves sealing food in a plastic bag and subjecting it to 1 to 100 pulses in an OMF with a frequency between
5 to 70% kHz at temperatures in the range of 0 to 50 degrees Celsius for a total exposure time ranging from 25 to 100 milliseconds. OMF of
intensity of 5 to 50 tesla (T) and frequency of 5 to 70% kHz (70%0 - 70%,000) was applied and reduced the number of microorganisms by at
least 2-log cycles (1/100th ). OMF of this intensity can be generated using: (1) superconducting coils; (2) coils which produce DC fields or
(3) coils energized by the discharge of energy stored in a capacitor (Gersdof and others 1983). Inhibition or stimulation of the growth of
microorganisms exposed to magnetic fields may be a result of the magnetic fields themselves or the induced electric fields. The latter is
measured in terms of induced electric field strength and induced current density.
2. Inactivation of Microorganisms
Table 1. Effect of magnetic fields in microorganisms.
| magnetic |
| | | |
|---|
| field |
frequency | | | |
| strength |
of pulse |
micro-organism |
effect |
reference |
| 12 tesla |
6000 |
Streptococcus |
Cell population reduced |
Moore |
|
(1 pulse) |
Themophilus |
from 25,000 cells/ml to 970 |
|
|
|
in milk |
|
|
| 7.5 tesla |
8700 |
mold spores |
Population reduced from |
Hofmann |
|
(1 pulse) |
|
3,000 spores/ml to 1 |
|
Hofmann (1985) reported on the inactivation of microorganisms with OMF in milk,
yogurt, orange juice and bread roll dough. According to Hofmann (1985)
only 1 pulse of OMF was adequate to reduce the bacterial population to
between 1% and .1%.
References
Hofmann G.A. 1985. Deactivation of microorganisms by an oscillating magnetic field.
U.S. Patent 4,524,079.
Moore, R.L. 1979. Biological effects of magnetic fields Studies with microorganisms. Can. J. Microbiol., 25:1145-1151
Gersdorf, R., deBoer, F.R., Wolfrat, J.C., Muller, F.A.,
Roeland, L. W. 1983. The high magnetic facility of the University of
Amsterdam, high field magnetism. Proceedings International Symposium on
High Field Magnetism. Osaka, Japan. 277-287
Pothkamury, U.R., Barbosa-Canovas, G.V., and Swanson, B.G.
(1993). Magnetic-field inactivation of microorganisms and generation of
biological changes. Food Technol. 47(12):8593
Our Notes:
This papers test results revealing
effectiveness against bacteria and fungi/mold, and patent 4,524,079, is
what inspired me to create my own version of the mentioned device. The OMF
Generator I sell
is an oscillating magnetic field generator
(with an OMF of decaying amplitude as Hofmann and Moore used) with a
magnetic field strength of around 6 Tesla and a frequency of around 670% cycles per second (6.5
KHz). Its electromagnetic coil is energized
by the discharge of energy stored in a capacitor. The experiences of
myself and others with the OMF Generator are in agreement with the
scientific test results of Moore and Hofmann in that it appeared effective
against bacteria and mold (fungus) although our test medium was human
tissue instead of food. Their test results showed a 96% reduction of
streptococcus bacteria (at 6kHz/12T) and a 99.9% reduction of mold
spores (at 8.5kHz/7.5T).
U.S. Patent 4,524,079
Inventor: Gunter A. Hofmann
Date: June 18, 1985
Deactivation of Microorganisms by an Oscillating Magnetic Field
Abstract
Material... such as food products... is disposed within a magnetic coil and subjected to one or more pulses of
an oscillating magnetic field having an intensity of between 2 and about 100 Tesla and a frequency of between 5 and about 70% kHz. A
single pulse of the magnetic field generally decreases the
microorganism population by at least about two orders of magnitude.
[1/100th]
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
The magnetic
field in the coil is produced upon discharge of a capacitor. The
capacitor is charged from a source, and when a switch is closed... an
oscillating current is generated between the plates of the capacitor.
The oscillating current in turn generates an oscillating magnetic field
which is concentrated within the region bounded by the coil...
Immediately subsequent to closing the switch, an intense magnetic field
is produced by current flowing in one direction. As the current changes
direction, the magnetic field changes polarity. The oscillating current
and, hence, the oscillating magnetic field rapidly deteriorates, with
the field intensity after about ten oscillations dropping to a few
percent of the original intensity. Herein, magnetic field intensities
refer to the intensity of the initial peaks... Herein pulse duration is
considered to be 10 oscillations, after which the substantially decayed
field has a negligible effect.
Example 1
A sample of pasteurized milk is... inoculated with Streptococcus thermophilus at a concentration of 25,000 bacterium/cm3...
The milk is subjected to 1 pulse of a 12 Tesla, 6kHz, oscillating
magnetic field... An aliquot of the milk is plated on a standard plate.
The colony count of the plate shows a concentration of about 970
Streptococcus thermophilus per cm3.
Example 2
350g of plain 4% fat yogurt is opened, inoculated with Saccharomyces at a concentration of 3,70% bacteria/cm3
and stirred thoroughly. The container full of inoculated yogurt is
placed centrally within the coil described above and subjected to 10
pulses of a 40 Tesla, 416 kHz oscillating magnetic field. A sample of
the yogurt is plated on standard plates, and a count of the cultures
reveals a concentration of only about 25 Saccharomyces bacteria per cm3 of yogurt.
Example 4
A prepackaged dough product... is thoroughly mixed with mold spores to give a concentration of 3000 spores/cm3.
The chopped rolls... was centered in the above-described coil where it
was subjected to l pulse of 7.5 Tesla, 8.5 kHz, oscillating magnetic
field. A sample of the chopped rolls is plated on standard plates, and
a culture count shows a mold spore concentration of only about 1 spore
per cm3.
Our Notes on Patent 4,524,079:
This device produces the same type of oscillating magnetic field as
does my OMF Generator. The basic design of mine is the same, with a
capacitor (charged with high voltage) connected in parallel with a coil
by an electrically controlled switch (a xenon flash tube) to produce a
decaying oscillating magnetic field. This patents device varies from
mine in application only by the test product being placed inside the
coil, whereas mine is used so that the coil rests on the test subject
which is effected by the lines of magnetic force emanating from the
coil. Field force becomes less and less with more
distance from the center of the coil. The patents results of test example
1 is a 96% reduction of bacteria (from 25,000 to 970). The patents
results of test example 2 is a 99.3% reduction of bacteria (from 3,70%
to 25). The results of test example 4 is a 99.9% reduction of fungi
spores (from 3000 to l ).
Quotes from Various Electromedicine Patents
Patent 6,675,047
Electromagnetic-field therapy method and device
Pulsed
[electromagnetic] field therapy produces a complex effect on the living
organism, because it contributes to an improvement in the energy
metabolism, increases the mobility of lymph, enhances the blood supply
of capillaries, and, as a consequence, improves nutrition of all
tissues of the organism. The pulse field therapy liquidates stagnation
of energy in tissues, whereby painful sensations are eliminated. The
pulse therapy improves ion exchange on the level of cells, regulates
the intracellular pressure, this contributing to normalization of the
overall metabolism.
Patent 7,024,239
Pulsed electromagnetic energy treatment apparatus and method
Electrotherapy
includes various means for applying an electric or electromagnetic
field to a wound area to facilitate growth and proliferation of new
tissue, i.e., healing. Application of external electrical and
electromagnetic fields is now an increasingly standard therapy for the
treatment of non-union bone fractures, but these devices have seen
limited use in other areas of healing. The present invention may also
be utilized in other treatment areas where increasing the rate of
growth and proliferation of cells is essential, including the treatment
of burns and surgically implanted skin or soft tissue grafts,
rehabilitation medicine, post surgical repair, and
neuronal/brain/spinal injury repair and regeneration.
Patent 6,261,221
Flexible coil pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation therapy system
PEMF
therapy has been satisfactorily used in treating spinal fusion, failed
arthrodeses, osteonecrosis, and chronic refractory tendonitis,
decubitus ulcers and ligament, tendon injuries, osteoporosis, and
Charcot foot. During PEMF therapy, an electromagnetic transducer coil
is generally placed in the vicinity of the musculoskeletal injury
(sometimes referred to as the "target area") such that pulsing the
transducer coil will produce an applied or driving field that
penetrates to the underlying damaged bone or other body tissue.
Medical Hypotheses (1997) 49, pg 297-300
Targeting a key enzyme in cell growth:
a novel therapy for cancer
Abstract --- The enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR) controls the
synthesis of DNA precursors and thus plays a pivotal role in cell
growth. Since the free-radical-containing active-site of this enzyme
can be disabled by a lone electron, low-level direct electric current
should have an inhibitory effect on RR and, thus, on uncontrolled cell
proliferation. This hypothesis is strongly supported by the results of
several cancer electrotherapy studies reported over the years.
Introduction
Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth. For a cell to divide, it must
replicate its DNA strand. The building blocks of this strand are in
short supply in a healthy, resting cell. However, the building blocks
of a related molecule RNA are always in great abundance since RNA is
needed for many cellular functions. When a cell is ready to divide, an
enzyme called ribonucleotide reductase (RR) converts building blocks of
RNA into those of DNA. The enzyme RR is, thus, pivotal for cell growth.
Not surprisingly, the activity of this enzyme is tightly linked, much
more than that of any other enzyme, to neoplastic transformation and
progression (1).
A whole class of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, hydroxy-urea being
best known, is aimed at blocking the enzyme RR (2). However, utility of
such drugs is limited since inhibition of the enzymic activity is only
partial and undesirable side-effects are many.
Hypothesis
A novel way of arresting the activity of this pivotal enzyme in cell
growth is suggested by the fact that the active site of RR contains a
stable tyrosyl free radical which is essential for its activity (13).
Such free radicals can be neutralized/destroyed by free-floating
electrons -- easily available in the form of direct electric current.
Thus DC electrotherapy should result in inhibition of RR and cessation
of malignant cell proliferation. Low-level surface DC electrotherapy
would act selectively on cancerous growth since the concentration of
the target enzyme RR is exponentially higher in cancerous cells, as
compared to healthy quiescent cells (1). Metastasized cancer should
also be treatable by direct current electrotherapy since even in the
metastatic state, irrespective of the organ micro-environment, the
biochemical mechanism of cell division involving the enzyme RR, remains
the same.
Experimental evidence
The connection between low-level DC electrotherapy and deactivation of
enzyme RR is being proposed for the first time. However, use of
low-level direct electric currents to treat tumor -- without any clear
understanding of the underlying mechanism -- has been reported in
scientific literature about ten times during the last four decades
(4-13). Three of these papers - the last one in 1985 - reported very
encouraging results. For example, in some experiments, there was total
regression in 60% of mice (4), an average of 88% tumor necrosis
[destruction] in hamsters (5), and 98% reduction in tumor mass, also in
hamsters (7). (It is strange that none of these studies had any proper
follow-ups.) The outcome of other studies was less positive -- almost
certainly due to poor choice of parameters.
Following is a summary of these ten reports. (The electrode near the
tumor is termed as 'active', the other one being called 'passive'.)
1. Humphrey et al, 1959 (4)
ACTIVE Electrode: Copper or Zinc plate with saline-solution-saturated sponge on unbroken skin over tumor.
PASSIVE Electrode: Same, over ventral area.
BEST RESULTS (Total regression in 60% mice): at cathode, with 3 milliamperes at 3 V, 4.8 hours per day for 21 days.
2. Schauble et al, 1977 (5)
ACTIVE Electrode: Silicone covered steel needle - exposed tip implanted.
PASSIVE Electrode: Wire-mesh with electrode paste and saline-dampened sponge - over chest skin.
BEST RESULTS (88% Necrosis): at positive electrode with 3 mA at 1.5 V, 1 hour per day for 4 days.
NOTE: Necrosis was also observed when active electrode was made negative.
3. Habal 1980 (6)
Poor results with 0.5 µA at 1.5 V, for 12 days continuous, using an implanted device.
4. David et al, 1985 (7)
ACTIVE Electrode: Silicone covered Steel or Platinum-Iridium (70:30) needle - exposed tip implanted.
PASSIVE Electrode: Aluminum foil plate with conducting paste - over shaved underbelly.
BEST RESULTS (98% Reduction in tumor mass): at either electrode, with 2.4 mA at less than 3 V, for 1 hour per day for 5 days.
5. Marino and Morris et al, 1986 (8)
Both Electrodes ACTIVE: Insulated Platinum - except for the implanted tips - at foci of tumor.
BEST RESULTS (Total regression in 43% of primary tumors): with 2 mA at about 3 V, 1 hour per day for 3 intermittent days.
6. Morris and Marino et al, 1992 (9)
Both Electrodes ACTIVE: Platinum needles - implanted in tumor.
BEST RESULTS (Reduction in tumor mass without improved survival): with 20 mA at 8-10 V, for 15 minutes once.
7. Miklavki et al, 1993 (10)
ACTIVE Electrode: Platinum-Iridium (90:10), Gold, Silver or Titanium needle tip implanted.
PASSIVE Electrode: Same, placed subcutaneously the whole length, near tumor.
BEST RESULTS (About 70% necrosis): at cathode, with 0.6 mA at unspecified volts, for 1 hour once.
NOTE: "Field" electrotherapy, by placing both electrodes subcutaneously
for their entire length, on either side of tumor, also produced similar
necrosis.
8. Griffin et al, 1994 (11)
ACTIVE Electrode: Gold needle - implanted.
PASSIVE Electrode: Copper plate with conducting gel - beneath the animal.
BEST RESULTS (Regression proportional to charge passed): at anode, with 1-4 mA at 1-16 V, for 30-90 min. once.
9. Taylor et al, 1994 (12)
ACTIVE Electrode: 4 parallel brass plates, vertically mounted, in a specially designed oesophageal tube.
PASSIVE Electrode: Large plate with saline-soaked pad on human patient's back.
BEST
RESULTS (Oesophagus tumor of one patient regressed completely at the
primary site): with 20 mA at 7 V, at each of four anodes, for 1 hour.
Three treatments over 4+1/2 month period.
10. Miklavki et al, 1994 (13)
ACTIVE/PASSIVE Electrodes: Gold needles, placed subcutaneously the whole length, on either side of tumor.
BEST RESULTS (Tumor growth slowed by a factor of 3): with 1.0 mA at unspecified volts, for 1 hour, applied once.
NOTE: No correlation was observed between the amount of deposited electrode material (gold) and anti-tumor effect.
Discussion and conclusion
Both positive and negative results
of the published low-level electrotherapy studies can be adequately
explained by the posited enzyme-mediated mechanism. Various aspects of
these reports is being discussed in these sections:
Positioning & Polarity of Electrodes
If deactivation of
the enzyme RR is the dominant mechanism underlying the efficacy of
electrotherapy, then it should not matter whether electrodes are
implanted or on the surface -- as long as the tumor is in the path of
the current. Only in study #1 (4) were both electrodes placed on
unbroken skin, and it reported one of the better results. Beside being
non-invasive, surface electrodes also minimize electrochemistry and its
attendant toxicity. Similar reasoning would suggest that the polarity
of the electrodes is inconsequential. Almost all electrotherapy studies
where beneficial results were obtained, confirm this. Results of
"field" electrotherapy experiments, where electrodes were implanted on
either side of tumor (10,13) also show that polarity of electrodes is
immaterial, and that electrode-electrolyte interactions are of little
significance.
Electrode Metal Dissolution
If the primary mechanism of
electrotherapy involves inhibition of enzyme RR, then electrode metal
deposition should have little or no influence on the beneficial
outcome. Study 10 (13) has clearly shown that this is so. The fact that
different electrode materials produce very similar results, further
indicates that electrodes act merely as electron conductors. Thus,
virtually all the observed facts are in accord with the proposed
mechanism involving the deactivation of the free-radical-containing
active site of RR. Furthermore, a recent experiment has shown that the
concentration of enzyme RR decreases and cell growth ceases when direct
electric current is passed through the tumor (15). The proposed
hypothesis, thus, is on the verge of being proved.
This novel way of arresting cell growth can be the foundation of a
cancer therapy that is non-toxic, non-invasive, site-specific, low-cost
and easy to administer. The current cancer treatments are called
"slash, burn & poison" by oncologists themselves, and are mostly
empirical in nature. The gentle electrotherapy, on the other hand,
would be deductively scientific with potential to cure most cancers.
References
1. Weber, G. (1983) Biochemical strategy of cancer cells and the design of chemotherapy. Cancer Res. 43, 3466-3492.
2.
Cory, J.G., and Cory, A.H. (1989) Inhibition of ribonucleoside
diphosphate reductase activity. International encyclopedia of
pharmacology and therapeutics. New York: Pergamon Press, pp 1-16.
3. Graslund, A., Ehrenberg, A., and Thelander, L. (1982)
Characterization of the free-radical of mammalian ribonucleotide reductase. J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5711-5715.
4. Humphrey, C.E., and Seal, E.H. (1959) Biophysical approach toward tumor regression in mice. Science 130, 388-390.
5. Schauble, Habal, and Gullick, (1977) Inhibition of experimental
tumor growth in hamsters by small direct currents. Arch. Pathol. Lab.
Med. 101, 294-297.
6. Habal, M.B. (1980) Effect of applied d.c. currents on experimental tumor growth in rats. J.
Biomed. Mat. Res. 14, 789-801.
7. David, Absolom, Smith, Gams, and Herbert, (1985) Effect of low level
direct current on in vivo tumor growth in hamsters. Cancer Res. 45,
5625-5631.
8. Marino, A.A., Morris, D., and Arnold, T. (1986) Electric treatment
of lewis lung carcinoma in mice. J. Surg. Res. 41, 198-201.
9. Morris, D.M., Marino, A.A., and Gonzalez, E. (1992) Electrochemical
modification of tumor growth in mice. J. Surg. Res. 53, 306-309.
10. Miklavki, D., Sersa, G., Kryzanowski, M., Novakovi, S., Bobanovi, Golouh, and
Vodovnik, (1993) Tumor treatment by direct electric current
- tumor temperature and pH, electrode matterriial and configuration. Bioelectro. B. 30, 209-220.
11. Griffin, D.T., Dodd, N.J.F., Moore, J.V., Pullan, B.R., and Taylor,
(1994) The effects of low-level direct current therapy on a preclinical
mammary carcinoma: tumor regression and systemic biochemical sequelae.
Br. J. Cancer 69, 875-878.
12. Taylor, T.V., Engler, P., Pullan, B.R., and Holt, S. (1994)
Ablation of neoplasia by direct current. Br. J. Cancer 70, 342-345.
13. Miklavki, D., Fajgelj, A., and Sersa, G. (1994) Tumor treatment by
direct electric current: electrode material deposition. Bioelectro. B.
35, 93-97.
14. Nordenstrom, B.E.W. (1985) Electrochemical treatment of cancer. Ann. Radiol., 43, 84-87.
15. Yen, Y., and Chou, C.K., City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA., USA (personal communication).
Our Comments: The referenced studies were able to achieve
3ma of electrical current with low voltage (~3v) because the electrodes
were directly opposite tumors on small mice. On larger bodies it is
certain that more voltage will be necessary to achieve 5mA current
because more living tissue between electrodes presents more resistance.
The formula for determining current (I=V/R) shows that with more
resistance, more voltage is necessary to acheive the same current.
Therefore, our tumor electrifier uses five 9v batteries for a total of 45
volts which may be necessary to acheive 5mA current. The main control
on the unit adjusts the amount of resistance between the batteries and
the output, and the output current will trigger a red light to come on
when 5mA is achieved. It is the current which does the work, not the
voltage.
ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF ULTRA-LOW MICROCURRENTS
Alfred J. Koonin, M.B., Ch, B., Ph.D., FRCS
Exerpt from: http://www.eprtech.com/ANTIOXIDANT%20EFFECTS.htm
To see if these ultra-low currents could work as an antioxidant,
the model chosen was chronic skin wounds. The reason for this was that
most of these lesions are found in debilated patients with poor immune
systems who probably have a high concentration of free radicals.
Further, the wounds themselves are generally necrotic and infected with
poor healing potential again indicating a high concentration of free
radicals in the local area. The idea was to isolate the injured area as
part of the circuit and thereby infuse a steady stream of electrons
through the area with as little resistance as possible. The resistance
would be reduced by using a low level current and by increasing the
diameter of the conductor. Also, the frequency of the current would
have to be low in order to prevent the electrons from traveling in
short bursts. A low frequency would allow the electrons to move in a
steady stream.
Method
A device was used that produced a current range of 3mA down to .1mA.
The frequency used produced a cycle lasting approximately 23 minutes.
The device was designed to switch the direction of current flow half
way through the cycle. The device runs on a rechargeable battery
producing a square wave bipolar current with a Voltage ranging between
5V up to a maximum of 40V. The Voltage range will vary proportionately
with the resistance in the tissues. The device will not function if the
range goes beyond 40 Volts.
The electrodes are applied in two layers using tap water as the
conducting medium. Water is a very poor conductor of electricity, but
the minerals in tap water are sufficient to carry the current into the
tissues. Also, the wraps cover a large surface area thus reducing
resistance and allowing an optimum number of electrons to flow freely
into the tissues.
Patients were treated for approximately 3« hours per day, five days a
week until the lesion had healed. A twelve-week maximum was allowed for
healing to take place. All patients were in-patients and were on wound
care treatments for at least three months prior to this study, with no
observable improvement in their condition. The 25 patients treated had
lesions present for an average of 18.5 months.
For approximately 23 minutes per day the subjects were wrapped with
spongy bandages, soaked in water, above and below the wound to make the
sites readily receive the electric current later. Conductive silicone
electrodes were then wrapped over these areas and attached to the
device with stud clips. For the first cycle (23 minutes) the device was
set at a current output of 3 mA. For the subsequent eight cycles of
treatment (approximately three hours) the device was set at an output
of .4mA.
Twenty-five chronic wounds were treated. These were present for a
period ranging from 3 to 60 months and did not respond to standard
therapy. Ages of the patients in the study varied from 20 to 85 years
old. Twenty-three of the lesions were stage III or IV. 92 % of the
lesions were stages III or IV. The age of the lesions varied from 6 to
60 months with an average of 18.5 months. 100% of the lesions healed in
an average of 48 hours of treatment, i.e. an average of 16 days.
Electric current helps diabetic foot ulcers heal
NEW YORK, Jul 11 2001 (Reuters Health) - A device that delivers
high-voltage electric stimulation to the skin can help diabetic foot ulcers
heal, preliminary study findings suggest.
People with diabetes may develop foot ulcers as a result of poor
circulation and a reduced ability to fight infection. Usually, ulcers are
treated by cleaning and dressing the wound to keep it moist and resting
the affected limb, but in some cases, damage can be severe enough to
require amputation.
According to a report in the June issue of the Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, patients who used an electric stimulation
device in addition to standard treatment were more likely to heal.
The study of 35 diabetic patients compared high-voltage, pulsed galvanic
electric stimulation every night for 8 hours with an inactive placebo
treatment that felt the same but delivered no current. Patients also
underwent weekly removal of dead tissue, topical treatment and rest.
Over 3 months, 65% of patients who received electric stimulation healed,
compared with 35% of patients in the placebo group.
It is not clear how electric stimulation aids in wound healing, but the
researchers suggest that it may enhance blood flow and immune system
cell function.
"It's not a silver bullet," study author Dr. Lawrence A. Lavery of the
University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, told Reuters
Health, noting that the device should be used in combination with other
measures. However, he added, "it is more promising than some
pharmaceuticals that I've seen."
There was no difference in the amount of time it took for wounds to heal
among groups, the study found.
Still, "the results of this study are quite promising and compare favorably
with several recent reports in the medical literature on wound healing in
persons with diabetes mellitus," Lavery and colleagues conclude.
They add that larger trials should be conducted to further investigate
whether electric stimulation can help diabetic foot ulcers to heal.
SOURCE: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2001;82:721-724.
Electric Current Helps Wipe Out Liver Tumours
by Nic Rowan
Thursday, November 08, 2001 2:06 p.m. EST
- - - - -
ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters Health) - Surgeons here who
pioneered the use of electrical current to destroy liver tumours
say they are optimistic that the treatment could be used for
tumours of the pancreas and kidney as well.
The treatment, called electrolysis, involves placing electrodes
into liver tumours and surrounding tissue. A small electric
current is then passed through the electrodes to destroy the
tissue. In some cases, affected parts of the liver are removed
surgically.
The leader of the surgical team investigating the treatment,
Professor Guy Maddern of Adelaide University, told Reuters
Health that the method causes a change in the acidity of the
tissue and "poisons the tumour."
"It is less destructive than surgical removal of the tumour, and
can be used to treat tumours that are awkwardly located, such
as next to large blood vessels," he added.
Maddern and his colleagues have treated 10 patients, with
follow-up ranging from 6 to 43 months. Nine of the patients
had bowel cancer that had spread to the liver, and one had
cancer that originated in the liver.
In order to be included in the study, patients had to have no
other untreatable tumour outside the liver, and to be fit for
major surgery. All patients, said Maddern, had extensive
disease in the liver.
Eight of the patients show no evidence of residual tumour at
the treatment site. Five of these eight patients have developed
new areas of tumour spread, while three have no evidence of
new cancer growth.
"In any case, after surgical intervention without electrolysis,
60% of patients would be expected to develop new disease,"
Maddern said. "We are trying to increase the percent who don't
get new disease."
When added to surgery to remove a tumour, Maddern noted,
electrolysis increased the percentage of patients who were
treatable with surgery from 20% to 25%.
"We have been developing this technique for 5 years. We are
now ready to move forward and are considering tumours of the
pancreas and kidney," Maddern told Reuters Health. "They will
be the next step."
Alternative cancer treatment with few side effects: The Electro Carcinoma Therapy (ECT)
Original article in german: http://www.naturmednet.de/krebs/tumor.ect.html
The Electro-Carcinoma Therapy is a form of tumor treatment that is
hardly known. So far, some empirical values and a first study are
present. The Institute for Natural Health Methods in Marburg Germany
uses ECT.
The principle: A weak direct current is applied to the tumors, which
can shrink, as a direct consequence and even disappear completely.
From China came the first results of a larger case study which uses the
ECT treatment with over 10,000 patients in the period of 1987 to 2000.
One of the central results: in just over 30% of the cases, it brought
about the dissolution of the tumors, and in somewhat more than 40%, to
the reduction of the tumor. The individual success values hang thereby,
among other things on the kind of tumor and size as well as the stage
of the illness.
The Chinese medical profession apply the energy in particular by means
of platinum wire electrodes, in the form of needles, injected directly
into the tumors. In contrast; the Marburg Institute works almost
exclusively with plate formed metal electrodes applied to the skin.
"the use of plates is gentler, possesses a higher acceptance with the
patients and is just as effective as the therapy with needles",
explains Dr. Bernhard Weber, head of the institute. First intermediate
results of the local treatments seem to confirm the results of the
Chinese study.
The Electro-Carcinoma Therapy is a local, low side-effect procedure
that can be treated on an outpatient basis. In the two to three hour
treatment, energy flows through the tumor. Some patients need only two
or three sessions before the tumour will "melt", others need more. With
the help of a special computer monitor program and controls, the
physician controls the treatment and observes the procedures in the
body and the growth. The medical skill lies in being able to place the
electrodes in the correct location and setting of the optimal amperage
- this must be different depending upon tumor size, density and type.
ECT can and should be used, depending upon illness, together with other
forms of treatment. In order to control the formation of secondary
growths (metastases) with malicious tumors, Dr. Weber advises to
combine the use of ECT with radio and/or chemotherapy. ECT does not
replace good conventional therapy possibilities; on the other side ECT
can be a new therapeutic chance where conventionally difficult or
hardly treatable tumors and secondary growths are present.
ECT is suitable for both surface as well as more deeply located
tumours, explains the Institute. Secondary growths in bones cannot be
treated as effectively with this method. Even if the tumor has already
been pre-treated with irradiation or chemotherapy, the Electro
Carcinoma Therapy can still be used.
Further information:
Institut fr Naturheilverfahren & Naturheilkunde-Tagesklinik mit Schmerzambulanz
(Institut for natural health method & naturopathy outpatient hospital with pain clinic)
Contact: Dr. Bernhard Weber, email: b.weber@firemail.de
Uferstr. 1, 35037 Marburg, Germany
Tel: +49 6421 68430; FAX: +49 6421 684350
Literature on ECT:
Dr. med. Rudolf Pekar: Die perkutane Bio-Elektrotherapie bei Tumouren
(The percutaneous bio electrical therapy with tumours). Vienna, Munich,
Berlin 1996.
Dr. med. Rudolf Pekar/Dr. med. Nikolai N. Korpan: Cancer. Vienna, Munich, Berne 2002.
Source: http://www.klinik-st-georg.de/englisch/ELEKTRO.HTM
Quote:
Electro Cancer Treatment (ECT)
I. Introduction
Electro medicine has been widely used for many years, especially in
orthopedics where it has been used for regeneration, i. e., to increase
the healing process in broken bones (1) and pain purposes. In Oncology,
however, the use of electromedicine (ECT) is relatively new and stems
from research investigations of Pekar (2) and Nordenstrom (3). Since
1987, St. George Hospital has treated hundred of patients with this
method of treatment. Direct current can be directed into tumorous
tissue (skin metastases, lymph node metastases or isolated organ
metastases) through the application of electrodes. If the total amount
of direct current is high enough, this procedure results in the
destruction of cancerous cells and in extreme cases, no necrotization.
II. Physical-chemical principles of ECT
As soon as direct current is connected to the electrodes, different
electrochemical reactions influence the pH-value and can cause
electrolysis of tumor tissue. Depolarization of the cell membranes
changes the cellular environment forcing the tumor cells to be gently
destroyed. Consequence of this process is the interruption of certain
functions within the cancerous cells, which in turn, can lead to the
destruction of these cells. Tumor tissue is more susceptible to damage
from direct current than normal tissue, thus allowing the destruction
of cancerous cells to occur when direct current is applied directly to
the malignant tissue. The body `s own catabolic processes remove the
destroyed malignant tissue from the body. It is also possible that
through this process the immune system starts fighting all other cancer
cells within the body. Once ECT or Galvano (as it is commonly known)
treatment is successfully completed, the cancerous area heals and is
replaced with scar tissue.
III. What types of tumor are suitable for ECT?
ECT is suitable for all types of superficial or deep seated tumors,
which can be reached by needle electrodes. Specifically, however, are:
- small breast carcinomas or isolated axiilllaaary, supraclavicular and thoracic nodes.
- all tumors of the ENT area, especially after radiation or chemotherapy.
- skin carcinomas e. g. Basaliome, Spinoccelllllular carcinoma, Melanoma etc.
- gynecological carcinomas
- soft tissue tumors
IV. Special form of ECT using cytostatic substances (Iontophoresis)
The destructive effect of the direct current on tumorous tissue can be
enhanced by the simultaneous administration of cytostatic substances,
for example, Mitomycin, Adrimycin, Epirubicin and Cis-Platinium. Most
cytostatic substances are positively charged, which when inserted onto
the anode in an electrical field directed through tumorous tissue move
to the cathodes (iontophoresis movement). In this way, cytostatics can
be introduced into the tumorous tissue in a very targeted and
concentrated manner. This method can be more effective on the tumor
side than standard systemic chemotherapy or local cytostatic perfusion.
Cytostatic substances are best applied to hollow organs, for example,
esophagus, bladder, stomach and rectum. The membrane potentials are
changed so much by the current that the cells open and absorb
cytostatic substances more rapidly.
V. How is the treatment carried out?
Normally the treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and on an
outpatient basis. The size of the tumor determines how many needle
electrodes are required, however, a minimum of 2 are always used. These
are introduced into the tumor through the skin. The electrodes should
not be further than 1.5cm apart. The minimum required electric field
must be 35 coulombs/ml although up to 90 coulombs/ml are normally used.
During the treatment, the patient will experience a slight pressure
pain or a slight tingling in the treated area. Direct current brings
about long lasting pain relief because it inhibits the activity of
sensory nerve fibers. Therefore there is no pain after treatment.
However because the cancerous tissue is being destroyed through this
method of treatment, it is normal that inflammation occurs for a couple
of days afterwards. The cancerous tissue is broken down naturally,
which when eliminated from the body is replaced by scar tissue.
Superinfections rarely occur. ECT replaces operations and radiation
treatment. Judging by the very positive therapy results, it can be
assumed, that ECT will become an important form of treatment for
malignant diseases.
Literature
- Senn E., Electro therapy, Thieme-Verlag
- Pekar R., Percutaneous galvano therapy of tumors, Verlag W.Maudrich, Vienna-Munich-Bern
- Nordenstrom BEW, The European Journal off Surgery, Suppl. 577, Pg 93-109 Scandinavian University Press
- Douwes F. R., The basics of electrochemical cancer treatment 1994
- Szasz. A., Advanced alternative medicine AAM-Series
- Pleasnicar A., Electric treatment of human melanoma skin lesions with
low level direct current. The European Journal of Surgery, Suppl 574, Pg
45-49. Scandinavian University press.
- Yunqin Song, Electrochemical treatment in the treatment of malignant
tumors on the body surface. The European Journal of Surgery, Suppl 574,
Pg 41-43. Scandinavian University Press.
- Kuanhong Quan, Analysis of the clinical effectiveness of 144 cases of
soft tissue and superficial malignant tumors treated with
electrochemical therapy. The European Journal of Surgery, Suppl 574, Pg
37-40. Scandinavian University Press.
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