The role of additional pulses in electropermeabilization protocols.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Electrical Engineering
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Electropermeabilization (EP) is crucial in various applications, with effectiveness depending on applied voltage and tissue conductivity.
• Existing research indicates that sequential pulses can enhance tissue conductivity and permeabilization.
• Understanding these changes is vital for optimizing EP protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a theoretical model for electropermeabilization that accounts for the increase in tissue conductivity with repeated pulses.
• To provide a more accurate prediction of EP treatment outcomes by incorporating variable conductivity.

Main Methods:

• A nonlinear Laplace equation incorporating variable conductivity (dependent on electric field, temperature, and pulse number) was formulated.
• Penne's Bioheat equation was used to model temperature variations.
• Experimental validation was performed using potato slices to measure electric currents and electropermeabilized areas under different EP protocols.

Main Results:

• Experimental measurements confirmed that sequential pulses increase electric current density and the electropermeabilized area.
• The theoretical model accurately predicted the observed increase in electric current density with added pulses.
• The study identified increased electric conductivity, influenced by temperature and pulse number, as the cause for current rise, not electric field changes.

Conclusions:

• The developed theoretical model offers a more realistic description of the electropermeabilization phenomenon by including a novel formulation of electric conductivity.
• This enhanced understanding of conductivity changes during EP can lead to more precise predictions of treatment effectiveness.
• The findings are applicable to optimizing EP protocols in medicine, food processing, and environmental management.