Cycled pulsing to mitigate thermal damage for multi-electrode irreversible electroporation therapy

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the effects of various pulsing paradigms, on the irreversible electroporation (IRE) lesion, induced electric current, and temperature changes using a perfused porcine liver model. Materials and methods: A 4-monopolar electrode array delivered IRE therapy varying the pulse length and inter-pulse delay to six porcine mechanically perfused livers. Pulse paradigms included six forms of cycled pulsing schemes and the conventional pulsing scheme. Finite element models provided further insight into the effects of cycled pulsing on the temperature and thermal injury distribution. Results: ‘Single pulse cycle with no interpulse delay’ deposited maximum average energy (2.34 ± 0.35 kJ) and produced the largest ratio of thermally damaged tissue area and IRE ablation area from all other pulse schemes (18.22% (Formula presented.) 8.11, p