Abstract: Described and claimed is the combined use of an electric field and ultrasound to ablate a cell or tissue, the use of ultrasound to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been electrosensitised by exposure to an electric field, and the use of an electric field for sensitising a nucleated cell to ultrasound. We furthermore disclose the use of electricity to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been sensitised by exposure to ultrasound, and the use of ultrasound for sensitising a nucleated cell to electricity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively releasing an agent loaded into a red blood cell, comprising electrosensitizing the red blood cell by application of an electric field and subsequently disrupting the cell selectively using ultrasound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively releasing an agent loaded into a red blood cell, comprising electrosensitising the red blood cell by application of an electric field and subsequently disrupting the cell selectively using ultrasound.

Abstract: Described and claimed is the combined use of an electric field and ultrasound to ablate a cell or tissue, the use of ultrasound to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been electrosensitised by exposure to an electric field, and the use of an electric field for sensitising a nucleated cell to ultrasound. We furthermore disclose the use of electricity to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been sensitised by exposure to ultrasound, and the use of ultrasound for sensitising a nucleated cell to electricity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of sensitising target cells to ultrasound energy using a stimulus such as an electric field. This “electrosensitisation” enables target cells to be disrupted by ultrasound at frequencies and energies of ultrasound which do not cause disruption of non-sensitised (i.e., non-target) cells. As a consequence, the method increases the selectivity of ultrasound therapy, providing a way to ablate undesired cells, such as diseased cells (e.g., tumor cells) while minimising harm to neighboring cells. In another aspect, however, ultrasound can be used to sensitise cells while the electrical field is used to disrupt cells. The invention also provides an apparatus for performing the method and assays for identifying gene products and other molecules involved in apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively releasing an agent loaded into a red blood cell, comprising electrosensitizing the red blood cell by application of an electric field and subsequently disrupting the cell selectively using ultrasound.