Biomedical Applications of Short, Intense Electric Pulses

Abstract

The biomedical applications of electric pulses in biology and medicine are, at the same time, an old and a new topic. Indeed, the use of low intensity electric pulses for long durations is known and used from a long time. Functional electrical stimulation, antalgic treatments as well as wound healing acceleration are clinical applications of that type of electric pulses. Nowadays, it has become increasingly clear that there are also interesting biomedical applications of the use of short, intense electric pulses delivered for very short times. These electric pulses result in changes of cell membrane properties that have been termed electropermeabilization or electroporation. Several potential applications of these electric pulses, delivered either ex vivo or in vivo, have been described in preclinical studies. Two of these applications are currently being tested in clinical trials. This article focuses on the basic concepts and the recent clinical developments of the biomedical applications of short, intense electric pulses delivered for very short periods.