Electrolysis Tissue Ablation With Electroporation-Driven Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue ablation methods, such as electrolysis and electroporation, are lengthy and require high concentrations of ablative chemical species, and there is a need for more effective and efficient techniques to enhance tissue ablation.
Innovation Solution
Combining electroporation with electrolysis to increase the extent of tissue ablation by delivering electrolysis products through permeabilized cell membranes, utilizing a system that includes a controller to manage the timing and delivery of electrolysis and permeabilization treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolysis is used for tissue ablation, then tissue ablation is achieved through chemical species generation, but the procedure is lengthy and requires high concentrations of electrolytically-produced chemical species
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrolysis with electroporation to create a hybrid ablation system. Electroporation creates pores in cell membranes that allow electrolysis products to penetrate cells more effectively, reducing the time and concentration required for ablation while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs electroporation before or during electrolysis to pre-permeabilize cell membranes. This preliminary action enables faster and more efficient delivery of cytotoxic chemical species into cells, shortening the overall procedure duration.
2Reliability
If high concentrations of electrolytically-produced chemical species are used, then tissue ablation effectiveness is improved, but the procedure requires longer exposure time
Solution Approach 1:
By merging electrolysis with electroporation, the system achieves enhanced cellular uptake of chemical species at lower concentrations and shorter exposure times compared to electrolysis alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delivery parameters by using electric field-induced membrane permeabilization to alter how chemical species enter cells, enabling effective ablation with reduced concentration and time requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If electrolysis products are delivered to tissue, then cell membrane permeabilization occurs, but the extent of ablation is limited by diffusion rate
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of electroporation and electrolysis overcomes the diffusion limitation by using electric fields to directly drive chemical species into permeabilized cells, significantly accelerating delivery speed beyond passive diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces passive diffusion (mechanical process) with electric field-driven transport, enabling faster and more controlled delivery of electrolysis products into target cells.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combined approach significantly enhances tissue ablation effectiveness by allowing electrolysis products to penetrate permeabilized cells, reducing the required concentration and duration of treatments.
Implementation Method 1
the bioelectric phenomenon of electroporation is characterized by the permeabilization of the cell membrane through the application of very brief, high-magnitude electric field pulses
Implementation Method 2
The process of electrolysis occurs at the electrode surfaces for electrodes submerged in an ionic conducting media. New chemical species are generated at the interface of the electrodes as a result of the electric potential driven transfer between electrons and ions or atoms
Implementation Method 3
electroosmotic forces drive the migration of water from the anode to the cathode, further magnifying the contrasting physiological effects at the electrode surfaces
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Example apparatuses and systems are disclosed for providing controlled delivery of electrolysis treatment and cellular permeabilization treatment to a site in tissue. A system disclosed may include an electrode, a power supply, and a controller. The controller may control a charge applied to the electrode to induce a direct current through the aqueous matrix to produce electrolysis products and a voltage to produce electroporation. The duration and magnitude of the charge applied may determine the dose of the products and the degree of the permeabilization of cells in the treatment site. The composition of the electrodes may be chosen in accordance with the desired products produced and electro -poration effects. An apparatus is disclosed that may be in the form of electrodes for electrolysis and electrodes for electroporation applied to the tissue. An apparatus is disclosed that may be used for treating internal tissue.