Synergy Between Electric Pulse and Thermal Effects

Generally, in studies of the bioelectric effects of nanosecond pulses, thermal effects are not considered. While this is certainly true for the delivery of single or a small number of pulses, developments in medical treatment based on tissue ablation have been based pulse trains applied at a high repetition rate. In fact, temperature increases may trigger thermally activated bioeffects. This suggests technological opportunities for electro-manipulation that takes advantage of synergisms between thermal and electrically driven processes. Even with modest temperature changes, large thermal gradients could be established, which in itself can lead to additive electric field creation. The focus in this chapter is on thermal aspects and the possible synergies with electrical stimulation for bio-effects.