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Miniaturized two-stack Blumlein pulser with a variable repetition-rate for non-thermal irreversible-electroporation
Sun-Hong Min1, Ohjoon Kwon2, Matlabjon Sattorov3
1Korea Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator Project, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Science, Seoul 01812, South Korea.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|February 3, 2017
Summary
Non-thermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) uses intense nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) for medical applications. An improved Blumlein pulse-forming line enhances efficiency and enables high-frequency NTIRE, minimizing thermal cell damage.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Electrical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Non-thermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) is a cell treatment modality using intense DC nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs).
- NTIRE relies on bioelectrical cell membrane dynamics, requiring nsPEFs shorter than the membrane charging time constant to prevent thermal damage.
- Existing nsPEF generators, particularly Blumlein pulse-forming devices, suffer from energy loss and inefficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate an efficient high-voltage nanosecond DC electric field pulser for NTIRE.
- To overcome the limitations of previous pulse-generating devices, focusing on reduced energy loss and increased repetition rates.
- To enable precise control over nsPEF parameters for effective NTIRE applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of an improved two-stage stacked Blumlein pulse-forming line to minimize energy loss.
- Integration of a metal oxide silicon field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switch for fast switching speeds and high voltage endurance (up to 30 kV).
- Design of a matched load (200 Ω resistor, 0.174 pF capacitance) for cell suspension exposure, eliminating characteristic RC time effects.
Main Results:
- The improved Blumlein circuit significantly reduces energy loss from the DC power supply.
- The system achieves high repetition rates up to 100 kHz due to the fast MOSFET switch.
- The fabricated pulser is capable of delivering intense electric fields (up to 100 kV/cm) with controllable ns pulse widths.
Conclusions:
- The developed two-stage stacked Blumlein pulse-forming line offers an efficient solution for generating intense nsPEFs for NTIRE.
- The system's high repetition rate and voltage capability are suitable for advanced medical applications requiring precise cell membrane manipulation.
- This technology advances the potential of NTIRE by providing a more effective and energy-efficient method for inducing non-thermal electroporation.
