Permanent Electrical Disruption Process Explained
Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a groundbreaking method of tissue ablation that is making waves in the medical world. This non-thermal ablation modality, often referred to as "irreversible electroporation," offers a unique approach to destroying targeted cells without causing thermal damage.
IRE works by generating electrical fields that create nano-sized pores in cell membranes, triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death) and permanent cell death. Unlike other ablation methods, primarily thermal, that destroy tissue through heat or cold, IRE minimizes collateral injury and improves preservation of function.
Key Differences and Mechanisms
One of the significant advantages of IRE is its non-thermal mechanism. Unlike radiofrequency or microwave ablation, IRE uses electric fields to induce permanent disruption of cell membranes, avoiding the heat-related complications associated with thermal ablation methods.
Another key difference is the selective tissue effect of IRE. By targeting the cell membrane electrically, IRE spares the extracellular matrix and critical structures like blood vessels, nerves, and ducts. This is particularly beneficial in sensitive organs, such as the prostate, where it helps preserve urinary and sexual function during cancer treatment.
The pulse characteristics of IRE are also noteworthy. IRE delivers very short, high-voltage pulses (microseconds to nanoseconds), which, studies show, achieves ablation with minimized stimulation of nerves or muscles, decreasing pain and side effects.
Clinical Applications and Outcomes
The NanoKnife system, an FDA-cleared IRE device, has shown safety and efficacy in focal prostate cancer ablation. It demonstrates high rates of cancer control and preservation of quality of life compared to traditional whole-gland therapies.
IRE is also being used in cardiac ablation to create precise lesions, with ongoing research identifying factors affecting lesion characteristics like voltage and tissue contact.
The Future of IRE
The American Cancer Society predicts nearly 65,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and over 55,000 will die from the disease. With a 5-year relative survival rate of just 9%, there is a pressing need for innovative treatments like IRE.
IRE can treat a variety of conditions, including pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, soft tissue sarcomas, metastatic tumors in the liver, desmoid tumors, benign tumors in the liver, pancreas, or other organs, and ablation of nerves to manage pain in certain conditions.
Post-treatment microscopic imaging shows little evidence of the IRE procedure after 30 days, while adjacent tissue continues to function normally. Moreover, only about 1/5 of pancreatic cancers are eligible for surgical intervention due to high risk of complications. IRE offers a viable alternative for these patients.
In conclusion, IRE ablation uses temporary strong electric fields to irreversibly disrupt cell membranes and kill targeted cells without thermal damage, minimizing collateral injury and improving preservation of function compared to conventional thermal ablation methods. It is especially valuable in treating tumors near critical structures and in cardiac ablation where precise lesions are needed.
For those interested in IRE project development, RBC Medical can help, combining human-centered design with cutting-edge engineering to take a project from initial ideation to market-ready product.
- In the realm of medical device design, Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) is a pioneering method in tissue ablation, particularly appreciated for its non-thermal mechanism in medical product development.
- Unlike traditional thermal ablation methods such as radiofrequency or microwave ablation, IRE minimizes the heat-related complications associated with them through the employment of electric fields.
- One of the advantages of IRE lies in its selective tissue effect, where it spares the extracellular matrix and critical structures, like blood vessels, nerves, and ducts, making it beneficial for sensitive organs during treatments for medical-conditions like cancer.
- The NanoKnife system, a Medtech product cleared by the FDA, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in focal prostate cancer ablation, offering high rates of cancer control and preservation of quality of life compared to traditional whole-gland therapies in the health-and-wellness sector.
- Research in the science of IRE is ongoing, focusing on cardiac ablation to create precise lesions and identifying factors affecting lesion characteristics like voltage and tissue contact in therapies-and-treatments.
- With the increasing number of cancer diagnoses, such as pancreatic cancer, there is a pressing need for innovative treatments like IRE, which can treat various conditions and potentially serve as a viable alternative for patients where surgical intervention is high-risk. In addition, RBC Medical is available to assist in IRE project development, combining human-centered design with engineering expertise for product development in the medical devices industry.
