Platelet activation using long electric field pulses
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the disclosure relate to platelet activation and/or aggregation using electric pulses. In one embodiment, a platelet-containing sample is exposed to electric pulses. At least one of the electric pulses has a duration greater than 1 microsecond and a field strength below 50 kV/cm. In another embodiment, the electric pulses may be designed with particular field strengths and durations.
1. A method of activating platelets, comprising:
exposing a platelet-containing sample to a pulsed electric field comprising at least one pulse, wherein;
the at least one pulse has a duration of at least 100 microseconds;
a field strength of 5 kV/cm or less;
or a combination thereof; and
applying the platelet-containing sample to a patient.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pulse has a variable electric field strength over the course of the pulse.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the at least one pulse has a greater field strength than a second portion.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second portion has a longer duration than the first portion.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electric field comprises two or more pulses of different durations.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electric field comprises two or more pulses with different field strengths.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the platelet-containing sample is autologous blood.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the platelet-containing sample comprises platelet rich plasma.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the sample to a patient comprises applying a gel formed by exposing the platelet-containing sample to the pulsed electric field.
10. A method of activating platelets, comprising:
receiving a user input related to a platelet-containing sample; and
applying one or more electric pulses to the platelet-containing sample based on the user input, wherein;
at least one pulse has a duration of at least 100 microseconds;
a field strength of 5 kV/cm or less;
or a combination thereof.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user input comprises input related to a pulse shape.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user input comprises input related to a total duration of the one or more pulses.
13. The method of claim 10 , comprising selecting a protocol from a plurality of protocols stored in a memory based on the user input, wherein executing the protocol results in applying the one or more electric pulses.