For the similar dose, the mean ablated region (dark area) resulting from SHLVP is larger than that of LVP1.

<p>Note that 80 LVPs were used in the LVP1 protocol. The duration of the HVPs was adjusted to yield approximately the same dose for the SHLVP and LVP1 protocols. Therefore, the doses shown in Fig 2A, B, C and D produced in the three groups (LVP1, SHLVP-a and SHLVP-b) were the similar dose. All detailed protocol parameters are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0173181#pone.0173181.t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>. Data are shown as the average ± SD; (*, p<0.05), (**, p<0.01), and (***, p<0.001).</p

Pore sizes resulting from electric force by different pulsation protocols.

<p>Pore sizes resulting from electric force by different pulsation protocols.</p

For both a lower dose and applied energy, the mean ablated region by SHLVP is still larger than that of LVP1.

<p>Parameters: LVP1 (1 kV/cm, 100 μs, 80 pulses) and SHLVP-4 kV (4 kV/cm, 2 μs, 20 pulses+1 kV/cm, 100 μs, 60 pulses). Data are shown as the average ± SD; (**, p<0.01). Detailed protocol parameters are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0173181#pone.0173181.t003" target="_blank">Table 3</a>.</p

Irreversible electroporation ablation area enhanced by synergistic high- and low-voltage pulses - Fig 10

<p>A: Model of a spherical electroporated cell exposed to an external electric field <i>E</i>. B: Model of potato tissue exposed to an external electric field <i>E</i>; the red section represents the electroporated area, where <i>E</i>><i>E</i>_<i>c</i> when HVPs are applied.</p

Schemes for pulsation protocols with the same pulse number.

<p>Schemes for pulsation protocols with the same pulse number.</p

Schemes for SHLVPs with different sequences.

<p>Schemes for SHLVPs with different sequences.</p

Schematic demonstrating that the force induced by the electric field contributes to the development of electroporation; <i>r</i> is the pore radius.

<p>Schematic demonstrating that the force induced by the electric field contributes to the development of electroporation; <i>r</i> is the pore radius.</p

Mean ablation areas are influenced by sequence of SHLVPs (HVPs+LVPs).

<p>The parameters of the HVPs were 4 kV/cm, 2 μs and 20 pulses; the parameters of the LVPs were 0.4–1 kV/cm, 100 μs and 60 pulses. Data are shown as the average ± SD; (**, p<0.01) and (***, p<0.001). Detailed protocol parameters are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0173181#pone.0173181.t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>.</p

Schemes for pulsation protocols with the similar dose.

<p>Schemes for pulsation protocols with the similar dose.</p

For a lower dose, applying SHLVPs produces a larger ablation area than that of LVP1.

<p>The parameters were as follows: LVP2: 0.8 kV/cm, 100 μs, 60 pulses; LVP1: 0.8 kV/cm, 100 μs, 80 pulses; SHLVP-3 kV: 3 kV/cm, 2 μs, 20 pulses+0.8 kV/cm, 100 μs, 60 pulses; SHLVP-4 kV: 4 kV/cm, 2 μs, 20 pulses+0.8 kV/cm, 100 μs, 60 pulses. Data are shown as the average ± SD; (**, p<0.01) and (***, p<0.001). Detailed protocol parameters are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0173181#pone.0173181.t003" target="_blank">Table 3</a>.</p