Abstract: Methods for terminating fibrillation in a fibrillating heart employing nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are disclosed. nsPEF defibrillation demonstrates its effectiveness as a new defibrillation modality, achieving reliable defibrillation with energies that are an order of magnitude lower than those needed for conventional defibrillation (millisecond shocks with mono- and bi-phasic waveforms). Tests did not reveal any negative effect of nsPEF defibrillation on cardiac tissue, in particular, cardiac tissue treated with nsPEFs does not exhibit a baseline shift in the optical transmembrane potential signal (distinctive feature that indicates electroporation), or changes in action potential duration or shape. The mechanism of nsPEF defibrillation is likely different from conventional defibrillation since it does not rely on membrane charging but on the basis of displacement currents that flow within nanoseconds after the shock is applied.

Abstract: A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrowband and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.

Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system can deliver electric pulses to a targeted region within a biological tissue. The system includes an antenna assembly and a lens. The antenna assembly is configured to generate and direct electromagnetic radiation. The lens is configured to be positioned between a surface of the biological tissue and the antenna assembly. The lens can have a plurality of lossy portions. The lens can be configured to be adjustable to create a patient-specific desired electric field distribution by selective positioning of the plurality of lossy portions within the lens.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient is described herein. The method can include the steps of identifying a target that contains biological tissue and directing one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation at the target. The pulses of electromagnetic radiation can cause a temperature increase per unit of time in the biological tissue. Additionally, the temperature increase per unit of time can cause the change in the cell function in the biological tissue and can be within a range of approximately one degree Celsius per second to approximately one degree Celsius per microsecond.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. A method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the method, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10 s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues comprising target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.

Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.

Abstract: Methods for making multiple walled nested coaxial nanostructures and devices incorporating the coaxial nanostructures are disclosed. The coaxial nanostructures include an inner nanostructure, a first outer nanotube disposed around the inner nanostructure, and a first annular channel between the inner nanostructure and the first outer nanotube. The coaxial nanostructures have extremely high aspect ratios, ranging from about 5 to about 1,200, or about 300 to about 1200.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for stimulating an immune response to a disease in a subject, which involves passing sub-microsecond long pulses of electric fields having an amplitude between 5 kV/cm and 68 kV/cm through an abnormal growth of a subject sufficient to suppress myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) or regulatory T cell (Treg) production, increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) production, or stimulate dendritic cell activation in the subject.

Abstract: The methods disclosed herein are directed towards improving ablation efficiency associated with applying nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) to tissue. In particular, applying nsEP to tissue can open pores in the cellular membranes of the tissue. These pores can be kept open longer by cooling the tissue. The combined application of nsEP and the cooling of tissue may have synergistic effects on triggering apoptosis of cells in the tissue. This allows for numerous practical benefits associated with nsEP-based tissue ablation to be realized. For instance, nsEP of lower pulse strength or lower numbers of pulses to be used, which can be provided by smaller pulse generators operating on less power.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumors employing HSp90 inhibitors in combination with nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are disclosed. The methods are directed to induce regulated cell death (RCD) in tumor cells and tissues. Further, Hsp90 inhibitors in combination with nsPEF are used at low non-toxic concentrations, thereby reducing the side-effects associated with these drugs. Additionally, nsPEFs are employed at lower electric fields and/or with fewer number of pulses than when nsPEFs are employed alone. Further, the mechanisms by which nsPEFs and Hsp90 inhibitors act upon cancer cells are different, thereby combining these treatments results in a synergistic effect.

Abstract: Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for performing ablation of myocardial tissues are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of ablation electrode configurations to which nanosecond pulsed electric fields are applied. The methods relate to therapies to treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as, atrial fibrillation and scar-related ventricular tachycardia, amongst others. The affected myocardial tissues are ablated creating a plurality of lesions enabled by the nanosecond pulsed electric fields applied to either penetrating electrodes, endo-endo electrodes, or endo-epi electrodes. Different electrophysiological tests are performed to assess the application of nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation to specific desired tissue location within the heart. Test results show the potential to overcome limitations of current ablation therapies, thereby providing patients and doctors a superior treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating or manipulating biological tissues are provided. In the systems and methods, a biological tissue is placed in contact with an array of electrodes. Electrical pulses are then applied between a bias voltage bus and a reference voltage bus of a distributor having switching elements associated with each of the electrodes. The switching elements provide a first contact position for coupling electrodes to bias voltage bus, a second contact position for coupling electrodes to the reference voltage bus, and a third contact position for isolating electrodes from the high and reference voltage buses. The switching elements are operated over various time intervals to provide the first contact position for first electrodes, a second contact position for second electrodes adjacent to the first electrodes, and a third contact position for a remainder of the electrodes adjacent to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method for efficient plasma etching of surfaces inside three-dimensional structures can include positioning an inner electrode within the chamber cavity; evacuating the chamber cavity; adding a first inert gas to the chamber cavity; regulating the pressure in the chamber; generating a plasma sheath along the inner wall of the chamber cavity; adjusting a positive D.C. bias on the inner electrode to establish an effective plasma sheath voltage; adding a first electronegative gas to the chamber cavity; optionally readjusting the positive D.C. bias on the inner electrode reestablish the effective plasma sheath voltage at the chamber cavity; etching the inner wall of the chamber cavity; and polishing the inner wall to a desired surface roughness.

Abstract: An imaging and recordation system is provided. The system includes a high-power, focusing antenna for illuminating biological tissue. The system further includes a power source for powering the antenna. The system further includes a data acquisition module, for recording the dielectric properties of tissues illuminated by the high-power, focusing antenna. The system illuminates the tissues using ultrashort electrical pulses.

Abstract: A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrowband and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.

Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.

Abstract: A method for efficient plasma etching of surfaces inside three-dimensional structures can include positioning an inner electrode within the chamber cavity; evacuating the chamber cavity; adding a first inert gas to the chamber cavity; regulating the pressure in the chamber; generating a plasma sheath along the inner wall of the chamber cavity; adjusting a positive D.C. bias on the inner electrode to establish an effective plasma sheath voltage; adding a first electronegative gas to the chamber cavity; optionally readjusting the positive D.C. bias on the inner electrode reestablish the effective plasma sheath voltage at the chamber cavity; etching the inner wall of the chamber cavity; and polishing the inner wall to a desired surface roughness.

Abstract: A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrow-band and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.