Electroporation ablative therapy as a clinical tool: An old technology revisited

Electroporation is considered a novel means for treating tissue using high-voltage, short-duration direct current (DC) pulses to elicit different cellular responses. Varying the parameters of the therapeutic pulses allows for either temporary or permanent cellular damage. It is believed that applied DC pulses disrupt cell membranes, with larger electric fields causing more damage. A wide variety of input parameters allows for the ability to fine tune this technology to target different tissue types. Since the delivery of energy is based on an electric field compared to a thermal field, there is also potential to better target specific areas while minimizing collateral tissue damage. The ability to apply electroporation therapy, in its latest technological form, is currently being explored to understand its possible clinical applications.