Abstract: A system and method for preventing the undesirable dissipation of charge throughout a tissue surface while maintaining the charge density at a desired tissue treatment site. The invention embodies a physical perimeter conductor positioned in proximity to a tissue surface and a conductance control circuit working in combination to collect surface charge applied within the confines of the perimeter conductor and to maintain a desired relationship between the contained surface charge density and time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of directing, focusing, or concentrating electrical charges within a defined electric field so that these charges can be used to exert forces on cells and tissues in vivo and/or cell cultures in vitro. The present invention reduces and/or eliminates the damage at a target site that would normally be caused by an electrode that acts as a current source or sink to accomplish the same task.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of directing, focusing, or concentrating electrical charges within a defined electric field so that these charges can be used to exert forces on cells and tissues in vivo and/or cell cultures in vitro. The present invention reduces and/or eliminates the damage at a target site that would normally be caused by an electrode that acts as a current source or sink to accomplish the same task.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of directing, focusing, or concentrating electrical charges within a defined electric field so that these charges can be used to exert forces on cells and tissues in vivo and/or cell cultures in vitro. The present invention reduces and/or eliminates the damage at a target site that would normally be caused by an electrode that acts as a current source or sink to accomplish the same task.

Abstract: Cell or tissue permeability to electrical signals can be used to determine the depth of anesthesia of a patient. A method and device is presented to measure, record and control the effects of anesthesia or analgesics on humans and/or animals. Based on impedance values of tissues measured at single, multiple, or a domain of frequencies, the system detects tissue permeability alterations as determined by electromagnetic, impedance, and/or dielectric spectroscopy. The system measures the permeability of tissues to electrical signals and correlates these values to the depth of anesthesia or sedation level of a certain tissue or individual. This method and device can be used to measure the effects of anesthesia or analgesic for either local or systemic administration.

Abstract: A device and related methodologies to deliver molecules to the cells that comprise any tissues. The invention includes a catheter-based electrode and methods for its use for the delivery of molecules to cardiac tissue, blood vessels, other tissues/organs that can be accessed through a luminal tissue, and luminal tissues. The invention is also a non-catheter based electrode for performing the same functions. In certain embodiments the electrode utilizes a segmented electrode array wherein each electrode is separately addressable by a source of electricity.

Abstract: A device and method to cause hair loss or prevent or inhibit hair growth. The invention uses plasma (ionized gas) that is generated by flowing gas in close proximity to an electrode that has a high potential applied to it. The result is a stream of charged gas particles that are directed to the skin that contains hair. The flowing stream of gas is held above the surface of the skin. Additionally, a grounded conductive material is affixed to the skin to dissipate any charge buildup on the skin and focus the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for electromanipulation of chemical species in vivo relative to a target tissue utilizing a nonconductive, conformable array base adapted to be placed coincident to the target tissue, a plurality of electrode elements projecting from the array base towards the target tissue, the electrode elements addressable individually, an electrical source coupled to the plurality of electrodes, a control means interposed between the electrical source and the plurality of electrode elements and in circuit communication therein, the control means adapted to establish an electrical potential between at least two electrodes, and a delivery means adapted to introduce chemical species to the target tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method whereby aspirin and acetic acid help to permeabilize cell membranes to allow exogenous molecules to gain access to the cell interior. As such, the present invention provides a low cost drug and gene delivery tool that can be applied in combination with other molecular delivery methods.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a delivery of a molecule into an interior space of a cell includes the steps of introducing a molecule into a target tissue comprising a cell and applying a substantially continuous low-level electric field to the target tissue. The field is applied for a duration sufficient to effect a change in porosity the cell of the target tissue sufficient to facilitate an entry of a desired molecule into an interior of the cell.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a molecule in vivo relative to a target tissue includes at least one elongated member having at least two discrete and separately activatable electrodes separated by an insulating material interposed therebetween. The electrodes are configures to establish at least one of a first electromagnetic field between selected electrodes sufficient to manipulate a molecule relative to a target tissue and a second, typically higher-level, electromagnetic field sufficient to cause transient permeability of a cell membrane within the target tissue. A third electromagnetic field may also be applied to cause further translation of the molecule into an electropermeabilized cell and/or manipulated with respect to the tissue. Thus three-dimensional manipulation of the molecule relative to the target tissue may be effected to optimize a desired positioning thereof, such as entry into a cell.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for electromanipulation of chemical species in vivo relative to a target tissue including a nonconductive, conformable array base adapted to be placed coincident to the target tissue, a plurality of electrode elements projecting from the array base towards the target tissue, the electrode elements addressable individually, an electrical source coupled to the plurality of electrodes, a control means interposed between the electrical source and the plurality of electrode elements and in circuit communication therein, the control means adapted to establish an electrical potential between at least two electrodes, and a delivery means adapted to introduce chemical species to the target tissue.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a delivery of a molecule into an interior space of a cell includes the steps of introducing a molecule into a target tissue comprising a cell and applying a substantially continuous low-level electric field to the target tissue. The field is applied for a duration sufficient to effect a change in porosity the cell of the target tissue sufficient to facilitate an entry of a desired molecule into an interior of the cell.

Abstract: The electroporation system and method combine pulses having different characteristics for delivering molecules to cells in vivo. The pulses include a high-intensity pulse for inducing electroporation and a low-intensity pulse to induce electrophoretic molecule movement within an interstitial space, molecule adherence to a cell membrane, and electrophoretic movement of the molecule through the permeabilized membrane. The use of a high-intensity and a low-intensity pulse achieves improved delivery; reduction of intensity and/or duration of pulses for inducing electroporation; and decreased muscle stimulation, tissue damage, and patient discomfort.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of directing, focusing, or concentrating electrical charges within a defined electric field so that these charges can be used to exert forces on cells and tissues in vivo and/or cell cultures in vitro. The present invention reduces and/or eliminates the damage at a target site that would normally be caused by an electrode that acts as a current source or sink to accomplish the same task.

Abstract: The manipulator includes a support and at least one member affixed to and extending away from the support. The member has at least two differentially activatable areas of conductivity. The members are configured to establish a first electromagnetic field in vivo between selected areas of conductivity sufficient to manipulate a molecule relative to a target tissue and to establish a second, typically higher, electromagnetic field sufficient to cause transient permeability of a cell membrane within the target tissue. Restraining means are also described for restricting movement of the members with relation to each other. One method of using the device is for enhancing the delivery of a molecule into a tissue site; another is for poration of the tissue alone or in combination with the migration. The target tissue may include a tumor, organ, or wound site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus adapted to facilitate the entry of a preselected molecule into the intracellular space of a cellular sample through the use of ions generated by a corona charge source. With the present method and apparatus, molecules are manipulated within cells and in the extracellular space surrounding the cells. Manipulation enhances the permeability of cell barriers to allow the subsequent introduction of molecules of interest into the interior of a cell.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a molecule in vivo relative to a target tissue includes at least one elongated member having at least two discrete and separately activatable electrodes separated by an insulating material interposed therebetween. The electrodes are configured to establish at least one of a first electromagnetic field between selected electrodes sufficient to manipulate a molecule relative to a target tissue and a second, typically higher-level, electromagnetic field sufficient to cause transient permeability of a cell membrane within the target tissue. A third electromagnetic field may also be applied to cause further translation of the molecule into an electropermeabilized cell and/or manipulated with respect to the tissue. Thus three-dimensional manipulation of the molecule relative to the target tissue may be effected to optimize a desired positioning thereof, such as entry into a cell.

Abstract: The electroporation system and method combine pulses having different characteristics for delivering molecules to cells in vivo. The pulses include a high-intensity pulse for inducing electroporation and a low-intensity pulse to induce electrophoretic molecule movement within an interstitial space, molecule adherence to a cell membrane, and electrophoretic movement of the molecule through the permeabilized membrane. The use of a high-intensity and a low-intensity pulse achieves improved delivery; reduction of intensity and/or duration of pulses for inducing electroporation; and decreased muscle stimulation, tissue damage, and patient discomfort.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of electromanipulation for effecting substantially simultaneous electroporation and electromigration of molecules into cells by applying to a cellular target a preselected electrical waveform. The preselected electrical waveform may be formed of at least one curved or linear component either increasing or decreasing in amplitude as a function of time. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the at least one component has a duration no greater than five minutes and a maximum amplitude no greater than 10,000 V/cm. Alternatively, the waveform may also include a substantially constant amplitude component interposed between the increasing and decreasing components. The substantially constant amplitude component may also be applied prior or subsequent to the at least one component.