title: Detecting electroporation by assessing the time constants in the exponential response of human skin to voltage controlled impulse electrical stimulation.
abstract: We propose a new method for extracting the electrical properties of human skin based on the time constant analysis of its exponential response to impulse stimulation. As a result of this analysis an adjacent finding has arisen. We have found that stratum corneum electroporation can be detected using this analysis method. We have observed that a one time-constant model is appropriate for describing the electrical properties of human skin at low amplitude applied voltages (<30V), and a two time-constant model best describes skin electrical properties at higher amplitude applied voltages (>30V). Higher voltage amplitudes (>30V) have been proven to create pores in the skin's stratum corneum which offer a new, lower resistance, pathway for the passage of current through the skin. Our data shows that when pores are formed in the stratum corneum they can be detected, in-vivo, due to the fact that a second time constant describes current flow through them.
authors: Bioelectronics Research Cluster, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science and Electrical & Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering & Informatics, NUI Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland. s.birlea1@nuigalway.ie
authors: Sinziana I
authors: SI
authors: Bîrlea
authors: Gavin J
authors: GJ
authors: Corley
authors: Nicolae M
authors: NM
authors: Bîrlea
authors: Paul P
authors: PP
authors: Breen
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Quondamatteo
authors: Gearóid
authors: G
authors: OLaighin
mesh_terms: D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018274:Electroporation; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008954:Models, Biological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena