A computational design of a versatile microchamber for in vitro nanosecond pulsed electric fields experiments

Abstract

The emergence of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) for intracellular manipulation experiments requires the use of specific miniaturized applicators. We propose the design of a versatile nsPEFs applicator, based on microwave propagating systems, suitable for in vitro exposure to undistorted 1–3ns pulses in single and multi-cell experiments. Further features of the proposed devices are: high efficiency, microfluidic integration, real time monitoring of the biological sample and of the pulse propagation. Generally, these features can be considered as specific requisites for nanosecond applicators, to ensure experimental repeatability and reproducibility, when propagation related phenomena cannot be considered negligible.