Methods and apparatuses for targeted tumor-specific ablation

An apparatus for specifically ablating a target tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a pulse generator;
• an applicator configured to apply electrical energy from the pulse generator to two or more electrodes;
• and
• a controller comprising one or more processors and a memory storing computer-program instructions, that, when executed by the one or more processors, perform a computer-implemented method comprising:
• identifying a membrane charging time constant for the target tissue;
• setting a packet size of a packet of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy having a frequency of between 0.5 MHz and 5 MHz based on the identified membrane charging time constant;
• and
• applying, from the applicator, the packet of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy between the two or more electrodes to selectively and specifically kill the target tissue.

A method of specifically killing a target tissue or cells, the method comprising:

• setting a packet size of a packet of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy having a frequency of greater than 0.5 MHz based on an identified membrane charging time constant for the target tissue or cells;
• positioning the target tissue or cells between two or more electrodes;
• and
• killing at least some of the target tissue or cells by applying the packet of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical energy between the two or more electrodes.