Eastern Virginia Medical School

Old Dominion University Research Foundation

Old Dominion University

Other

Old Dominion Research Foundation

Stephen J Beebe

Karl H Schoenbach

Richard Nuccitelli

E Stephen Buescher

Richard M Heller

Tammo Heeren

Shu Xiao

Roelof Trip

Juergen Friedrich Kolb

Richard Blomgren

Peter F Blackmore

Barbara Y Hargave

Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields ('nsPEFs') are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields cause melanomas to self-destruct

A method and apparatus are provided for delivering an agent into a cell through the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields ('nsPEF's'). The method includes circuitry for delivery of an agent into a cell via known methods followed by the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell in order to facilitate entry of the agent into the nucleus of the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing gene expression in a cell comprising the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell. An apparatus for generating long and short pulses according to the present invention is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing a first pulse having a long duration and low voltage amplitude and a second pulse having a short duration and high voltage amplitude.

Apparatus for generating electrical pulses and methods of using the same

Apparatus for generating electrical pulses and methods of using same

A medical instrument for delivering electrotherapy to tissue that includes an outer support member having a ground plate at a distal end of the outer support member, and a protrusive element having a tip that extends beyond the ground plate. A portion of the protrusive element proximate the ground plate can act as an electrical insulator and a portion of the protrusive element proximate the distal end of the protrusive element can include a first electrode. The protrusive element can be designed to penetrate into tissue below a tissue surface while a tissue contacting surface of the ground plate rests against the tissue surface. Also disclosed are systems incorporating the medical instrument and methods of electrotherapy to subsurface tissue using the medical instrument.

Delivery device, system, and method for delivering nanosecond pulsed electric fields

Method and apparatus for cellular and intracellular manipulation of cell functions with ultrashort electrical pulses and for targeted delivery of the electrical pulses into cell cultures, patients, and tissues.

Ultrawideband antenna for operation in tissue

Methods for inducing calcium mobilization in cells through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields ('nsPEFs') are provided. The invention also provides a method of increasing intracellular calcium in cells through the application of nsPEFs. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are human platelets, whereby activation and aggregation of the platelets is induced. Methods for treating an injury, trauma, or loss of blood in a subject, through the application of nsPEFs are also provided.

Activation of calcium-mediated cell functions in cells and tissues, including aggregation of human platelets. by nanosecond pulsed electric fields

A method for intracellular electro-manipulation is provided. The method includes applying at least one ultrashort electric field pulse to target cells. The ultrashort electric field pulse has sufficient amplitude and duration to modify subcellular structures in the target cells and does not exceed the breakdown field of the medium containing the target cells. The amplitude and duration of the ultrashort electric field pulse are typically insufficient to substantially alter permeability of the surface membranes of the target cells, e.g., by irreversibly disrupting the cell surface membranes. An apparatus for intracellular electro-manipulation is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing an ultrashort electric pulse output and a delivery system capable of directing the electric pulse output to target cells.

Method and apparatus for intracellular electro-manipulation

Growing community of inventors

Norfolk, VA, United States of America

Stephen J Beebe