Effectiveness of non-penetrating electroporation applicators to function as impedance spectroscopy electrodes

Electroporation is commonly performed to deliver drugs and genes to cells comprising tissues. A possible way to control and confirm delivery is through the use of impedance spectroscopy. Ideally, this tool should not interfere with delivery and should incorporate the use of electrodes, applicators, used for delivery. This work examines impedance spectra obtained with non-penetrating surface applicators commonly used for skin electroporation. After collecting and processing over 9,000 spectra from three animal models it was determined that the electrode systems tested would have no significant effect on the obtained spectra. Therefore, electroporation applicators currently in use could be used concurrently for the collection of impedance spectra.