System and method for using electromagnetic radiation to influence cellular structures

Abstract

A system and method for the present invention requires use of a generator, in combination with a radiation unit, to radiate electromagnetic waveform energy onto a target tissue (i.e. a cellular structure). During radiation of the target tissue in accordance with a predetermined titration-like protocol, the influence of the waveform energy on the cellular structure is periodically monitored. The protocol is stopped when the cellular structure has been transformed or morphed into a desired phenotype.

Claims

1. A method to epigenetically influence a cancerous cell in a target tissue comprising: determining a resonant frequency of the cancerous cell; defining a desired phenotype for the cancerous cell; generating waveform energy at an octave of the resonant frequency; directing the waveform energy onto the target tissue to epigenetically influence the cancerous cell; and using a sensor to monitor a phenotypic response of the cancerous cell to the waveform energy to determine whether the cancerous cell has produced the desired phenotype; wherein the sensor is configured to monitor the phenotypic response of the cancerous cell via a bioelectrical impedance analysis, and wherein the desired phenotype is a cancer-free cellular structure.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: tuning the waveform energy to select a wavelength λ that corresponds to the octave of the resonant frequency; adjusting a peak value of amplitudes of the waveform energy to a selected intensity level v; providing a predetermined time duration t.sub.d for activation of the generating step; and selectively moving an operational fluence along a predefined pathway through the target tissue.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the waveform energy is continuous during the predetermined duration t.sub.d.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the tuning step is accomplished by selecting the wavelength λ of the waveform energy for transit through tissue surrounding the target tissue, to the target tissue at a penetration depth.

5. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the waveform energy is pulsed during the generating step, with each waveform energy pulse having radiation of the predetermined time duration t.sub.d within a predetermined time interval t.sub.i between successive beginnings of respective waveform energy pulses.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the generating step further comprises exciting a plasma with the waveform energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation to create a longitudinal electromagnetic wave, wherein the plasma is confined in a plasma antenna.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising a step of imaging the target tissue to create images of the target tissue for use during the directing step.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the imaging step is accomplished using a technique selected from a group consisting of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT), or Ultrasound.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the waveform energy is at least one of an X-ray and a gamma ray.

10. A method for epigenetically influencing a cancerous cellular structure in a target tissue comprising steps of: defining a desired phenotype for the cancerous cellular structure in the target tissue, wherein the cancerous cellular structure has a fundamental frequency, and the desired phenotype is a cancer-free cellular structure; radiating the target tissue with waveform energy at the fundamental frequency via a predetermined protocol to result in a phenotypic response of the cancerous cellular structure; monitoring the phenotypic response of the cancerous cellular structure in the target tissue by a sensor via a bioelectrical impedance analysis; and terminating the predetermined protocol when the phenotypic response corresponds with the desired phenotype.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the predetermined protocol further comprises: tuning the radiation to a wavelength λ that corresponds to the fundamental frequency; adjusting a peak value of amplitudes of the radiation to a volume intensity level v; and providing the time duration t.sub.d for activation of the generating step.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the waveform energy is electromagnetic radiation having a functional relationship with the fundamental frequency, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation is established by an octave evaluation.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the target tissue is selected from a group consisting of in vivo tissue and in vitro tissue.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic presentation of components for a system in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a time line of radiation pulses in a representative pulse train of waveform energy radiation in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an illustration of the sequential progression of epigenetic influence on two different cellular structures during the transformation of the respective cellular structure into a desired phenotype;

(5) FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the interactive tasks involved in the methodology of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the interactive components incorporated into the system of the present invention for imaging an operational fluence for the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring initially to FIG. 1 a system in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, the system 10 is to be used for radiating waveform energy to epigenetically influence cellular structures within a target tissue. To do this, the system 10 includes a unit 12 for directing radiation 14 toward a target tissue 16 of a patient 18. In particular, it is envisioned that the unit 12 will be capable of generating a waveform energy radiation 14 that spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum of wavelengths. Further, it is envisioned that the radiation 14 may also include acoustic sound waves in the range between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, as well as infrasound waves (<20 Hz) and ultrasound waves (>20 kHz). In the case of sound waves, the energy waveform of radiation 14 may be either a pure frequency or a complex frequency and, in the case of electromagnetic waves, the radiation 14 may have either a single wavelength λ, or a combination of different wavelengths. Also, as envisioned for the present invention, the target tissue 16 may be either in vivo as shown in FIG. 1, or it may be in vitro.

(9) Still referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the system 10 includes a computer 20 which is connected with the unit 12. Depending on the particular application for system 10, the computer 20 may perform various functions during a same protocol. For instance, in addition to providing operational details for the radiation 14, the computer 20 may also be used to operationally control movements of the unit 12.

(10) As also shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 also includes a sensor 22 which is used to monitor the target tissue 16, and to transfer information pertaining to the target tissue 16 to a comparator 24. For this purpose, the sensor 22 can be of any type well known in the pertinent art that is capable of epigenetically monitoring a transformation or morphology of the target tissue 16. For example, sensor 22 may be employed to perform titration-like methodologies with processes such as bioelectrical impedance analysis and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. The results of the monitoring performed by sensor 22 are then provided as input to the comparator 24. In the system 10, the comparator 24 is connected with the computer 20.

(11) For an alternative to the use of a sensor 22 as disclosed above, it will be understood and appreciated by the skilled artisan that an epigenetic change (transformation/morphology) in the target tissue 16 can also be monitored by performing periodic biopsies 26 of the target tissue 16. Again, a titration methodology can be employed. In the event, the particular protocol which is used, its periodicity, and the extent to which the biopsy(ies) 26 is/are employed will be established on a case-by-case basis by the user of the system 10.

(12) In addition to the hardware components for the system 10 mentioned above, various inputs for these components are required for an operation of the system 10. Importantly, the parameters 28 that are required for establishing the waveform energy of radiation 14 are a primary consideration. In particular the parameters 28 will necessarily include a selected frequency f for the vibration of the sound wave in the radiation 14. Also included will be the intensity level v for the max peak amplitudes of the sound wave, and a predetermined time duration t.sub.d for the radiation 14. Depending on the particular application, the time duration t.sub.d for the radiation 14 may be either continuous or pulsed.

(13) Referring to FIG. 2, time considerations for the radiation 14 are shown. If the radiation 14 is to be pulsed during an operation of the system 10, each radiation pulse will continue for a predetermined time duration t.sub.d within a predetermined time interval t.sub.i. For a train of pulses (e.g. an n number of pulses as shown in FIG. 2), the predetermined time interval t.sub.i for each individual pulse can be established to extend between the successive beginnings of respective radiation pulses in the train (i.e. t.sub.i>t.sub.d). Stated differently, each pulse will have a length t.sub.i (t.sub.i=time interval), during which the radiation 14 will be generated for the time duration t.sub.d. On the other hand, for a continuous radiation 14, t.sub.d will equal t.sub.i (i.e. t.sub.d=t.sub.i and n=1).

(14) Insofar as the frequency f of the radiation 14 is concerned, several considerations are possible. For one, as noted above, the frequency f may be pure or complex. For another, during a radiation 14, the predetermined frequency f may be alternated between a first frequency f.sub.1 and a different second frequency f.sub.2 (i.e. f.sub.1≠f.sub.2). Further, alternation of the frequencies may be set to occur at a predetermined repetition rate.

(15) In an operation of the present invention, it is necessary for there to first be a determination and an identification of a desired phenotype 30. By definition, as used for the present invention, a phenotype 30 is set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from its interaction with the environment. Here, reference to the word “individual” in the definition is taken to mean a cellular structure, a contiguous group of cellular structures, or a portion of a cellular structure, such as a chromosome. For the present invention, the cellular structure is alive and can be either in vivo or in vitro. With this in mind, consider the exemplary cellular structures 32 and 34 shown in FIG. 3.

(16) For the examples presented here with reference to FIG. 3, consider the cellular structure 32 to be a cancer cell, and the cellular structure 34 to be an undifferentiated cell. The consequence on these respective cellular structures will then depend on the particulars of the protocol 36 that is employed for influencing a particular target tissue 16 with a particular radiation 14. Consider first, the transformation/morphology desired for an active cancer cell (cellular structure) 32. In this instance, the desired phenotype 30′ will be a cancer-free cellular structure. Importantly, once the desired phenotype 30′ has been identified, and defined, its definitional parameters 28 (including its natural frequency) must be input into the comparator 24. Depending on the characteristics of the desired phenotype 30′, operational parameters 28 for the radiation 14 (i.e. f, v, t.sub.d, n and t.sub.i) are established. Specifics of the particular protocol 36 that are required to influence cellular structure 32 into the desired phenotype 30′ are then followed and monitored.

(17) In detail, during the conduct of a protocol 36, the sensor 22 (biopsy 26) is used to observe the cellular structure 32, and the comparator 24 is used to compare the cellular structure 32 with the desired phenotype 30′. Thus, the comparator 24 effectively monitors the transformation/morphology of the cellular structure 32 as it is being influenced by the radiation 14. When the comparator 24 determines a cellular structure 30′/32 has been created which corresponds with the desired phenotype 30′ (i.e. a cancer-free cell), the protocol 36 can be terminated.

(18) For another example, consider the transformation/morphology of a cellular structure such as an undifferentiated cell 34. In this case, the desired phenotype 30″ may be selected from any of various particular type cells (e.g. a liver cell). As with the earlier example, definitional parameters 28 for a desired phenotype 30″ are input into the comparator 24. Also, the required parameters 28 for radiation 14 are established, and an appropriate protocol 36 is followed. As before, when the comparator 24 determines a cellular structure 30″/34 has been created which corresponds with the desired phenotype 30″ (i.e. a liver cell), the protocol 36 can be terminated.

(19) For the conduct of a typical protocol 36, refer to FIG. 4. There it will be seen that block 38 requires parameter input for an operation of the system 10. Based on the above disclosure, it will be appreciated that this parameter input is really a two-step process. First, a desired phenotype (e.g. phenotype 30′ or 30″) needs to be identified and defined. Importantly, this includes selecting a natural frequency for the desired phenotype 30′ or 30″. Most often this can be accomplished by selecting a natural frequency from previously compiled empirical data. Second, the parameters 28 for operating the radiation unit 12 need to be established (i.e. f, v, t.sub.d, n and t.sub.i).

(20) Once system 10 has been set for operation as described above, block 40 indicates that the protocol 36 can be performed. The actual conduct of the protocol 36, however, is very event-dependent and may vary considerably depending on the transformation/morphology desired for a particular target tissue 16. Moreover, due to the titration-like methodology that is envisioned by the present invention for a protocol 36, and the many variables that are involved, the actual conduct of a protocol 36 must necessarily be essentially under the purview of the user of the system 10. Accordingly, any time requirements for the protocol 36 that are to be maintained (see inquiry block 42), and a determination of phenotypic correspondence that is indicative of operational completion (see inquiry block 44), are effectively dependent on operational judgments of the user.

(21) In another aspect of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the use of radiation for the purpose of altering cellular structure is envisioned to encompass frequencies and wavelengths that span the entire electromagnetic spectrum. As shown in FIG. 5, the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation is extensive and essentially all-inclusive. It is to be understood, however, that some radiations are easily absorbed by tissue of the patient 18 and, thus, without alteration are not able to penetrate to internal tissue within the body of a patient 18 as may be required. Nevertheless, it is known that longitudinal electromagnetic waves (i.e. solitary-waves) can be useful for achieving deeper penetration toward internal tissue inside the patient 18 than may otherwise be possible. More specifically, confined plasma antennae containing a plasma that is excited by electromagnetic radiation can be useful for this purpose.

(22) With the above in mind, and now referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that an imaging unit 46 may be operationally connected with the computer 20. In this combination, it is envisioned that the imaging unit 46 will create images of internal target tissue 16. Data from these images (not shown) can then be used by a controller in the computer 20 for guiding the radiation 14 from the unit 12 onto the target tissue 16 in accordance with techniques well known in the pertinent art. For the present invention, it is envisioned that the well known imaging techniques to be used may be any of the following: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT), or Ultrasound.

(23) A methodology for the present invention envisions that the radiation 14 generated by unit 12 will be controlled by the computer 20 to achieve several operational requirements. These include: 1) selecting and generating the particular electromagnetic radiation 14 that is to be used for influencing the target tissue 16; 2) shaping the radiation 14 to establish an operational fluence for the radiation 14 that will be efficacious for the intended purpose; and 3) moving the operational fluence, as needed, through the target tissue 16.

(24) Insofar as the term operational fluence has been used for this disclosure, the term “operational fluence” is defined to mean the photon energy in a radiation 14, per unit cross-sectional area, measured perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the radiation 14. It is to be appreciated that the net result of this operational influence may actually affect a volume of tissue. In each case, it will be appreciated that the operational fluence is established with both the characteristics of the target tissue 16, and the desired phenotypic result in mind.

(25) As indicated above, the present invention envisions moving the operational fluence of the radiation 14 over the target tissue 16. For this purpose, a controller in the computer 20 may be used to direct the operational fluence under the control of the unit 12. As also indicated above, the wavelength λ of the radiation 14 needs to have a functional relationship with the fundamental frequency of the cellular structure 34 that is being influenced. In particular, this fundamental frequency is most likely the natural frequency of the cellular structure 34. For any of several different reasons, however, the fundamental frequency may be slightly different from the natural frequency of the cellular structure 34. In any event, the wavelength λ that is used by the system 10 for influencing the cellular structure 34 must have a relationship with the fundamental frequency of the cellular structure 34. By definition, f=1/λ. Further, an octave is defined f.sub.high−2f.sub.low=0. Thus, using these relationships, an efficacious frequency for use with the present invention can be translated into an operational wavelength λ for the electromagnetic radiation 14. With this in mind, the present invention envisions using the higher wavelength radiations from the electromagnetic spectrum (FIG. 5) for their operational capabilities (e.g. tissue penetration ability).

(26) While the particular System and Method for Electromagnetic Radiation for Influencing Cellular Structures as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.