High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) for non-thermal ablation without muscle contraction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Therapeutic irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an emerging technology for the non-thermal ablation of tumors. The technique involves delivering a series of unipolar electric pulses to permanently destabilize the plasma membrane of cancer cells through an increase in transmembrane potential, which leads to the development of a tissue lesion. Clinically, IRE requires the administration of paralytic agents to prevent muscle contractions during treatment that are associated with the delivery of electric pulses. This study shows that by applying high-frequency, bipolar bursts, muscle contractions can be eliminated during IRE without compromising the non-thermal mechanism of cell death.

Methods

A combination of analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques were

SUBMITTER: Arena CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3258292 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature