Irreversible electroporation using tissue vasculature to treat aberrant cell masses or create tissue scaffolds

A method of ablating target tissue cells by irreversible electroporation (IRE) comprising:

• inserting a first device with a first electrode into an artery associated with the target tissue cells such that the first device is disposed in the artery and the first electrode is in contact with fluid inside the artery;
• inserting a second device with a second electrode into a vein associated with the target tissue cells such that the second device is disposed in the vein and the second electrode is in contact with fluid inside the vein;
• and
• applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode of the first device disposed in the artery and the second electrode of the second device disposed in the vein so as to deliver ablation energy to the target tissue cells using the fluid inside the artery and the fluid inside the vein as an electrical conduit, the plurality of electrical pulses being sufficient to ablate the target tissue cells by IRE.

A method of ablating target tissue cells comprising:

• inserting a first device with a first electrode into an artery and a second device with a second electrode into a vein;
• administering fluid into the artery and vein in a manner such that the first and second electrodes are in contact with the fluid;
• and
• applying electrical energy between the first electrode and the second electrode so as to deliver ablation energy to target tissue cells using the fluid as an electrical conduit.