Sub-Microsecond Pulse Ablation With Tissue Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroporation methods for tumor ablation require high power and large equipment to generate ultra-short, high-field strength electric pulses, limiting their efficiency and practical application.
Innovation Solution
Applying sub-microsecond electric pulses in conjunction with tissue cooling to synergistically stimulate apoptosis, allowing for similar ablation efficiency with lower power requirements and smaller equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultra-short, high-field strength electric pulses are used to trigger apoptosis, then ablation efficiency is improved, but power requirements and equipment size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling to the tissue before delivering electric pulses to lower the threshold for apoptosis induction. This preliminary action modifies the tissue state so that subsequent lower-intensity pulses can achieve the same ablation effect, thereby reducing power requirements while maintaining ablation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the tissue by applying cooling, which alters the electrical properties and apoptosis threshold of the cells. This parameter change enables the use of lower field strength pulses to achieve effective ablation, resolving the contradiction between ablation efficiency and power requirements
2Productivity
If ultra-short, high-field strength electric pulses are used to trigger apoptosis, then ablation efficiency is improved, but equipment size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-cooling the tissue, the patent creates conditions where lower-intensity electric pulses can effectively trigger apoptosis. This eliminates the need for bulky high-power pulse generators, allowing the use of more compact equipment while maintaining ablation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature modification through cooling changes the electrical characteristics of the tissue, enabling effective treatment with lower voltage pulses that can be generated by smaller, more manageable equipment
3Reliability
If cooling is applied to prolong permeabilized state, then apoptosis is enhanced, but treatment duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic cooling cycles applied in conjunction with pulsed electric fields. The cooling is applied intermittently to maintain the permeabilized state during pulse delivery while allowing brief intervals, thereby enhancing apoptosis induction without requiring continuous prolonged treatment
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 method achieves at least a 25% reduction in ablated tissue cell survival compared to pulsing alone, enabling efficient ablation with reduced pulse voltage, number, or electrode distance, and minimizing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
The electric pulses induce a voltage across the cell membranes of the tumor cells which leads to opening of pores in the cell membranes
Implementation Method 2
cooling the abnormal growth for a second duration
Data Source
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AI summary
The methods disclosed herein are directed towards improving ablation efficiency associated with applying nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) to tissue. In particular, applying nsEP to tissue can open pores in the cellular membranes of the tissue. These pores can be kept open longer by cooling the tissue. The combined application of nsEP and the cooling of tissue may have synergistic effects on triggering apoptosis of cells in the tissue. This allows for numerous practical benefits associated with nsEP-based tissue ablation to be realized. For instance, nsEP of lower pulse strength or lower numbers of pulses to be used, which can be provided by smaller pulse generators operating on less power.