Loading patent…
AssigneesEastern Virginia Medical School of the Medical College of Hampton Roads, Old Dominion University
InventorsKarl H. Schoenbach, Stephen J. Beebe, E. Stephen Buescher
Estimating the term…
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.
A method for initiating apoptosis in target cells comprising applying at least one ultrashort electric field pulse to the target cells, whereby apoptosis is initiated in said target cells;
A method for destroying target cells comprising applying to said target cells one or more ultrashort electric field pulses of sufficient amplitude and duration to collectively activate annexin binding on an outer cell surface membrane of said target cells without causing an immediate, irreversible disruption of the outer cell surface membrane in said target cells, whereby destruction of said target cells is initiated;
A method for destroying target cells comprising applying to said target cells one or more ultrashort electric field pulses of sufficient amplitude and duration to collectively cause shrinkage of said target cells without causing an immediate, irreversible disruption of an outer cell surface membrane in said target cells, whereby destruction of said target cells is initiated;
A method for destroying target cells in a tissue comprising applying to said target cells one or more ultrashort electric field pulses of sufficient amplitude and duration to collectively cause nuclear shrinkage of said target cells without causing an immediate, irreversible disruption of an outer cell surface membrane in said target cells, whereby destruction of said target cells is initiated;
A method for destroying target cells in a tissue comprising applying to said target cells one or more ultrashort electric field pulses of sufficient amplitude and duration to collectively activate annexin binding on an outer cell surface membrane of said target cells without causing an immediate, irreversible disruption of the outer cell surface membrane in said target cells, whereby destruction of said target cells is initiated;
A method for initiating apoptosis in target cells in a tissue comprising applying at least one ultrashort electric field pulse to said target cells, whereby apoptosis is initiated in said target cells;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.