A SiC Photo-Conductive Switch-Based Pulse Generator with Nanoseconds and High Voltage for Liver Cancer Cells Ablation Therapy

Abstract

Electroporation ablation, as an innovative cancer treatment, not only preserves the structure and function of affected organs but also significantly reduces surgical risks, offers patients a safer and more effective therapeutic option, and demonstrates immense potential in the field of oncology. This paper presents the innovative design of a high-voltage nanosecond pulse generator triggered by a silicon carbide (SiC) photoconductive switch. The generator is capable of stably outputting adjustable voltages ranging from 10 kV to 15 kV, with pulse widths precisely controlled between 10 and 15 nanoseconds, and an operating frequency adjustable from 1 Hz to 10 Hz. This device enables instant activation and deactivation of the pulse generator during ablation, enhancing the efficiency of strong electric field applications and preventing overtreatment due to delayed shutdown. This paper introduces the structure and basic principles of this novel SiC photoconductive switch-triggered pulse device and reports on the impact of device-related pulse parameters on the ablation effect of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through cell experiments. Under optimal ablation parameters, the CCK8 results show that the number of viable cells is only 0.7% of that in the untreated control group after 12 h of subculture following ablation. These findings hold significant importance for expanding the application areas of SiC devices.