Abstract: Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) treatments of a tumor are adjusted based on a size and type of the tumor to stimulate an immune response against the tumor and other tumors in the subject. Calreticulin expression on tumor cells can be detected to confirm treatment. An immune response biomarker can be measured, and further nsPEF treatments can be performed if needed to stimulate or further stimulate the immune response. Cancers that have metastasized may be treated by directly treating a tumor that is most accessible. The treatment can be combined with CD47-blocking antibodies, doxorubicin, CTLA-4-blocking antibodies, and/or PD-1-blocking antibodies. Electrical characteristics of nsPEF treatments can be based on the size, type, and/or strength of tumors and/or a quantity of tumors in the subject.

Abstract: A subject is inoculated from a disease by exposing a biopsy of a tumor or other abnormal growth to a nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF). A sufficient treatment can be confirmed by detecting calreticulin on the tumor cell membranes, which indicates apoptosis occurring in the tumor cells. Treated tumor cells from the biopsy are then reintroduced into the subject. The calreticulin-exhibiting tumor cells activate the subject's immune system against the tumor, and any other like tumors in the body, and effectively vaccinates the subject against the disease. The treatment can be combined with CD47-blocking antibodies, doxorubicin, CTLA-4-blocking antibodies, and/or PD-1-blocking antibodies. The immune response may be measured at a later time. Specific electrical characteristics of the nsPEF treatments can be based on the type and/or strength of the tumor.

Abstract: Techniques for treating a tumor and vaccinating against cancer are described. The techniques include treating the tumor by positioning electrodes over an interface between the tumor and non-tumor tissue and applying sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields. The positioning is facilitated by an imaginary contour line of a threshold value of the electric field. In an example, the imaginary contour line is overlaid over images that include the tumor such that the electrodes are properly positioned over the tumor. The techniques also include vaccinating against cancer by passing sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields through tumor cells of a subject sufficient to cause the tumor cells to express calreticulin on surface membranes. The tumor cells are extracted and introduced with the expressed calreticulin into the subject or another subject, thereby providing a vaccination.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an in vivo treatment of a skin lesion of a mammal comprising application of electrical energy to the skin lesion in a form of electrical pulses. At least one electrical pulse is applied. The pulse duration may be at least 1 nanosecond at the full-width-half-maximum. Surface of a tissue surrounding the skin lesion may be marked to guide the device to deliver the electric pulses at substantially precise locations on the lesion surface. This treatment may prevent at least growth of the lesion.

Abstract: A pulse generation system is disclosed. The pulse generation system includes a controller, an output terminal, and a plurality of pulse generator circuits. The controller is configured to cause a driving signal pulse to be transmitted to any selected one or more of the pulse generator circuits, and to cause the driving signal pulse to not be transmitted to any selected one or more other pulse generator circuits. Each of the pulse generator circuits is configured to generate an output voltage pulse at the output terminal in response to the driving signal pulse being transmitted thereto.

Abstract: Techniques for treating a tumor and vaccinating against cancer are described. The techniques include treating the tumor by positioning electrodes over an interface between the tumor and non-tumor tissue and applying sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields. The positioning is facilitated by an imaginary contour line of a threshold value of the electric field. In an example, the imaginary contour line is overlaid over images that include the tumor such that the electrodes are properly positioned over the tumor. The techniques also include vaccinating against cancer by passing sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields through tumor cells of a subject sufficient to cause the tumor cells to express calreticulin on surface membranes. The tumor cells are extracted and introduced with the expressed calreticulin into the subject or another subject, thereby providing a vaccination.

Abstract: A subject is inoculated from a disease by exposing a biopsy of a tumor or other abnormal growth to a nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF). A sufficient treatment can be confirmed by detecting calreticulin on the tumor cell membranes, which indicates apoptosis occurring in the tumor cells. Treated tumor cells from the biopsy are then reintroduced into the subject. The calreticulin-exhibiting tumor cells activate the subject's immune system against the tumor, and any other like tumors in the body, and effectively vaccinates the subject against the disease. The treatment can be combined with CD47-blocking antibodies, doxorubicin, CTLA-4-blocking antibodies, and/or PD-1-blocking antibodies. The immune response may be measured at a later time. Specific electrical characteristics of the nsPEF treatments can be based on the type and/or strength of the tumor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an in vivo treatment of a skin lesion of a mammal comprising application of electrical energy to the skin lesion in a form of electrical pulses. At least one electrical pulse is applied. The pulse duration may be at least 1 nanosecond at the full-width-half-maximum. This treatment may prevent at least growth of the lesion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an in vivo treatment of a skin lesion of a mammal comprising application of electrical energy to the skin lesion in a form of electrical pulses. At least one electrical pulse is applied. The pulse duration may be at least 1 nanosecond at the full-width-half-maximum. This treatment may prevent at least growth of the lesion.

Abstract: An electrode connectable to a pulse generator is disclosed. The electrode includes therapeutic terminals configured to deliver the pulse to a patient, first and second electrical pulse inlet holes, and a first pulse input terminal. The first pulse input terminal is in the first electrical pulse inlet hole and is spaced apart from an entrance to the first electrical pulse inlet hole by more than about 2.5 cm. Also, first pulse input terminal is connected with one or more of the therapeutic terminals. The electrode also includes a second pulse input terminal, where the second pulse input terminal is in the second electrical pulse inlet hole and is spaced apart from an entrance to the second electrical pulse inlet hole by a distance greater than about 2.5 cm. Also, the second pulse input terminal is electrically connected with one or more of the therapeutic terminals.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an in vivo treatment of a skin lesion of a mammal comprising application of electrical energy to the skin lesion in a form of electrical pulses. At least one electrical pulse is applied. The pulse duration may be at least 0.01 nanoseconds at the full-width-at-half-maximum. This treatment may at least prevent growth of the lesion.

Abstract: Techniques for treating a tumor and vaccinating against cancer are described. The techniques include treating the tumor by positioning electrodes over an interface between the tumor and non-tumor tissue and applying sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields. The positioning is facilitated by an imaginary contour line of a threshold value of the electric field. In an example, the imaginary contour line is overlaid over images that include the tumor such that the electrodes are properly positioned over the tumor. The techniques also include vaccinating against cancer by passing sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields through tumor cells of a subject sufficient to cause the tumor cells to express calreticulin on surface membranes. The tumor cells are extracted and introduced with the expressed calreticulin into the subject or another subject, thereby providing a vaccination.

Abstract: An optimization of electrical characteristics for treatments of tumor or other abnormal cells in culture with sub-microsecond, high-electric field electrical pulses is disclosed. The voltages, pulse widths, and number of pulses are chosen such that the treatment energy is 10-20 J/mL. That is, U=n*?t*V*I/volume is 10-20 J/mL, in which n is the number of pulses, ?t is the duration of each pulse, V is the voltage, I is current, and volume is the area of parallel electrodes times the distance between them. V divided by the distance between the electrodes can be in an effective range of 6 kV/cm to 30 kV/cm, 60 kV/cm, 100 kV/cm, or higher intensities. Rows of needle electrodes, blade electrodes, or other configurations of electrodes can approximate parallel electrodes.

Abstract: The pulse applicator includes a first arm, including a first electrode, a second arm, including a second electrode, and a spacer. The first arm, the spacer, and the second arm are movably connected, and define a gap between the first arm and the second arm. The first electrode, the gap, and the second electrode are selectively alignable, and the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to deliver an electrical field across the gap in response to an electrical pulse received across the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of testing a therapeutic pulse generator circuit is disclosed. The method includes charging the pulse generator circuit to a first charge voltage, with the pulse generator circuit, delivering a first voltage pulse to a load through an electrode, and determining an impedance of the load with the first voltage pulse. The method also includes comparing the impedance with an expected impedance, as a result of the comparison, determining to deliver a second voltage pulse to the load based, and delivering the second voltage pulse to the load, where at least one of the first and second voltage pulses is therapeutic to the load.

Abstract: A sub-microsecond pulsed electric field generator is disclosed. The field generator includes a controller, which generates a power supply control signal and generates a pulse generator control signal, and a power supply, which receives the power supply control signal and generates one or more power voltages based on the received power supply control signal. The field generator also includes a pulse generator which receives the power voltages and the pulse generator control signal, and generates one or more pulses based on the power voltages and based on the pulse generator control signal. The controller receives feedback signals representing a value of a characteristic of or a result of the pulses and generates at least one of the power supply control signal and the pulse generator control signal based on the received feedback signals.

Abstract: A pulse generator discharge circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes one or more discharge stages, each discharge stage including a plurality of control input terminals. The circuit also includes first and second discharge terminals, and a plurality of serially connected switches electrically connected between the first and second discharge terminals, where a conductive state of each of the switches is controlled by a control signal. The circuit also includes a plurality of inductive elements configured to generate the control signals for the serially connected switches, where each inductive element is configured to generate a control signal for one of the serially connected switches in response to one or more input signals at one or more of the control input terminals, and where each of the serially connected switches is configured to receive a control signal from a respective one of the inductive elements.

Abstract: Techniques for treating a tumor and vaccinating against cancer are described. The techniques include treating the tumor by positioning electrodes over an interface between the tumor and non-tumor tissue and applying sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields. The positioning is facilitated by an imaginary contour line of a threshold value of the electric field. In an example, the imaginary contour line is overlaid over images that include the tumor such that the electrodes are properly positioned over the tumor. The techniques also include vaccinating against cancer by passing sub-microsecond pulsed electric fields through tumor cells of a subject sufficient to cause the tumor cells to express calreticulin on surface membranes. The tumor cells are extracted and introduced with the expressed calreticulin into the subject or another subject, thereby providing a vaccination.

Abstract: A subject is inoculated from a disease by exposing a biopsy of a tumor or other abnormal growth to a nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF). A sufficient treatment can be confirmed by detecting calreticulin on the tumor cell membranes, which indicates apoptosis occurring in the tumor cells. Treated tumor cells from the biopsy are then reintroduced into the subject. The calreticulin-exhibiting tumor cells activate the subject's immune system against the tumor, and any other like tumors in the body, and effectively vaccinates the subject against the disease. The treatment can be combined with CD47-blocking antibodies, doxorubicin, CTLA-4-blocking antibodies, and/or PD-1-blocking antibodies. The immune response may be measured at a later time. Specific electrical characteristics of the nsPEF treatments can be based on the type and/or strength of the tumor.

Abstract: Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) treatments of a tumor are adjusted based on size and type of a tumor to stimulate an immune response against the tumor and other tumors in a subject. Calreticulin expression on tumor cells can be detected to confirm treatment. An immune response biomarker can be measured, and further nsPEF treatments can be performed if needed to stimulate or further stimulate the immune response. Cancers that have metastasized may be treated by directly treating a tumor that is most accessible. The treatment can be combined with CD47-blocking antibodies, doxorubicin, CTLA-4-blocking antibodies, and/or PD-1-blocking antibodies. Electrical characteristics of nsPEF treatments can be based on the size, type, and/or strength of tumors and/or a quantity of tumors in the subject.