Medical applications

Bioelectrics is a rapidly growing field at the intersection of the biological and physical sciences. Research has focused on understanding the basic interactions of pulse electric fields on biological systems, development of therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, and environmental applications. This chapter focuses on potential therapeutic and prophylactic applications of bioelectrics in human and veterinary medicine. Pulse electric fields can be ultrashort (picosecond to nanosecond) or longer (microsecond to millisecond), and dependent on the param eters of the applied pulse, the cellular effects on cells can be direct or indirect. Direct effect can include exciting cells or induction of apoptosis and/or necrosis. Indirect effects have been used to deliver molecules such as chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, or protein into the cell interior. Therapeutic applications of bio electrics have been developed for a large number of indications including many medical conditions including cancer, wound healing, ischemia, cardiovascular, and diabetes. The utilization of bioelectric-based medical techniques has recently surged, and the potential of such techniques has stemmed from a more wholistic understanding of the fundamental biophysical mechanisms driving underlying success.