Concept of high dB/dt pulse forming system for biological cell membrane permeabilization

Abstract

Electroporation by Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) is a novel, non-invasive technique, which has high potential and applicability in biomedicine and biotechnology. In this work, we present a concept of a high dB/dt and high power system (kA, kV range) for further application in PEMF electroporation experiments. The concept includes an array of synchronized SCRs (silicon controlled rectifiers) driving a high power ignitron. A pulsed power inductor is used as a load. The parameters of the system are selected based on the experimental results with a Marx generator circuit, which was used as a proof of concept. Finite element method (FEM) simulation of the expected spatial distribution of pulsed magnetic field is also presented in the study.