Compact low-cost high-voltage pulse generator for biological applications

In order to test the electroporation applied to mammalian cells (DU-145 human prostate cancer cell line), treated with short (30 ns) intense electric pulses, a new architecture of a pulse generator is proposed. It provides a quasi-rectangular output with nanosecond rise time and fully controlled repetition rate, which allows the control of the electric field dose applied to the cells. The system consists of a pulse generator with a high voltage gain and power efficiency, but it outputs exponential pulses. To improve that side, a pulse forming line (PFL) is used to get the final rectangular pulse. The whole device is designed using a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) technology. That reduces the cost and increases the compactness of the generator. The output is connected to a special electroporation cuvette filled with special liquid. The impedance of such load is not well known, that is why some preliminary tests were carried out to identify the load of the generator. A number of simulations allowed to validate the design and to find out the influence of different parameters on its characteristics. Finally, a compact 4-kV generator was built and tested. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained from simulations.