In silico estimates of cell electroporation by electrical incapacitation waveforms

Abstract

We use a system model of a cell and approximate magnitudes of electrical incapacitation (EI) device waveforms to estimate conditions that lead to responses with or without electroporation (EP) of cell membranes near electrodes. Single pulse waveforms of Taser X26 and Aegis MK63 devices were measured using a resistive load. For the present estimates the digitized waveforms were scaled in magnitude according to the inverse square radial distance from two tissue-penetrating electrodes, approximated as hemispheres. The corresponding tissue level electric fields were then used as inputs to the cell system model. A dynamic pore model for membrane electroporation (EP) was assigned to many different sites on the cell plasma membrane (PM). EI devices generate sufficiently large transmembrane voltage, U[subscript m](t), such that pores were created, evolving into a heterogeneous and time-dependent pore population. These approximate responses suggest that both waveforms can cause PM EP. Peripheral nerve damage by EP is a candidate side effect. More extensive EP is expected from the Taser X26 than the Aegis MK63, mainly due to the approximately eight-fold difference in the peak magnitudes. In silico examination of EI waveforms by multiscale modeling is warranted, and can involve whole body, tissue and cell level models that now exist and are rapidly being improved.