Method and device for minimally invasive in vivo transfection of adipose tissue using electroporation

Abstract

A method and device for electroporating adipocytes in the adipose layer of tissue, where the device includes a frame, a first electrode coupled to the frame having a first contact surface, a second electrode coupled to the frame having a second contact surface, and where the first contact surface and the second contact surface define a treatment zone therebetween. The method including positioning a fold of tissue between the first and second electrodes such that the treatment zone formed between the two electrodes includes an adipose layer of tissue and no skeletal muscle.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of electroporating adipocytes in the adipose layer of tissue, the method comprising
 providing a first electrode having a first contact surface, and wherein the first contact surface has a first perimeter;   providing a second electrode having a second contact surface, and wherein the second contact surf ace has a second perimeter;   obtaining a fold of tissue;   positioning the fold of tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode such that the first contact surface of the first electrode is facing toward the second contact surface of the second electrode, producing a treatment zone therebetween, and wherein the tissue positioned within the treatment zone includes an adipose layer of tissue; and   applying an electrical signal to the first electrode and second electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue positioned within the treatment zone does not include skeletal muscle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the fold of tissue further comprises obtaining a fold of tissue including a skin layer, an adipose layer, and a smooth muscle layer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising injecting a predetermined amount of an agent into the adipose layer of the fold of tissue before applying the electrical signal to the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying an electrical signal to the first electrode and the second electrode further includes applying electrical pulses. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying electrical pulses includes applying an electrical pulse of between 5 volts and 1000 volts. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying electrical pulses includes applying an electrical pulse between approximately 100 microseconds and 100 milliseconds. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein applying electrical pulses includes applying between approximately 1 pulse and approximately 10 pulses. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface includes a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each protrusion is substantially pyramidal in shape.