# US 9,750,934 B2 · Treating bacteria with electric fields > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,934 B2 - Document ID: US9750934B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/231,734 - Filed: 2016-08-08 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-17 - Assignees: Novocure GmbH - Applicants: Novocure Limited - Inventors: Yoram Palti; Moshe Giladi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750934B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/205: {for promoting a biological process} - A61N 1/0428: {Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs} - A61N 1/30: Apparatus for iontophoresis, {i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body}, or cataphoresis - A61N 1/32: alternating or intermittent currents {(applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02)} - A61N 1/40: Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling (microwave apparatus A61N5/00); {Applying radio-frequency signals} - C12N 13/00: Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves - A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18) - A61N 1/326: {for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time at particular frequencies with particular filed strengths. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of selectively destroying or inhibiting growth of bacteria located within a target region, comprising the steps of: capacitively coupling an AC electric field into the target region, wherein a frequency of the electric field is between 5 MHz and 20 MHz, wherein a strength of the electric field in at least a portion of the target region is between 2 V/cm and 100 V/cm, wherein the electric field has frequency characteristics that correspond to a vulnerability of the bacteria, and wherein the electric field is strong enough to damage a significant portion of the bacteria; and repeating the coupling step until a therapeutically significant portion of the bacteria die. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of delivering an antibiotic to the target region so that a therapeutically effective dose of the antibiotic is present in the target region while the coupling step is performed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strength of the electric field in at least a portion of the target region is between 5 V/cm and 20 V/cm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the strength of the electric field in at least a portion of the target region is between 10 V/cm and 17 V/cm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the electric field is 10 MHz. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electric field has a first orientation during a first interval of time and a second orientation during a second interval of time, wherein at least a portion of the first interval of time and the second interval of time are mutually exclusive. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the target region is a region within a live subject, and wherein the electric field is safe for the subject. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of delivering an antibiotic to the target region so that a therapeutically effective dose of the antibiotic is present in the target region while the coupling step is performed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the strength of the electric field in at least a portion of the target region is between 5 V/cm and 20 V/cm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the strength of the electric field in at least a portion of the target region is between 10 V/cm and 17 V/cm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the frequency of the electric field is 10 MHz. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the electric field has a first orientation during a first interval of time and a second orientation during a second interval of time, wherein at least a portion of the first interval of time and the second interval of time are mutually exclusive.