Electrode activation sequencing employing conductivity changes in irreversible electroporation tissue ablation

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2012 Mar;59(3):604-7. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2011.2180722. Epub 2011 Dec 21.

Abstract

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) uses high-voltage pulses applied to tissue, which cause dielectric breakdown of cell membranes resulting in cell death. IRE is a promising technique for ablation of nonresectable tumors because it can be configured to spare critical structures such as blood vessels. A consequence of pulse application is an increase in tissue electrical conductivity due to current pathways being opened in cell membranes. We propose a novel IRE method introducing electrode switching and pulse sequencing in which tissue conductivity is first increased using preparatory pulses in order to form high-conductivity zones, which then helps provide higher electric field intensity within the targeted tissue as subsequent pulses are applied, and hence, enhances the efficiency and selectivity of the IRE treatment. We demonstrate the potential of this method using computational models on simple geometries.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / physiology
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / radiation effects
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrodes*
  • Electroporation / instrumentation
  • Electroporation / methods*
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / surgery*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Models, Animal
  • Rabbits