Transport modeling of skin electroporation and the thermal behavior of the stratum corneum

The subject of this study concerns modeling and treatment of mass transport associated with electroporation of the skin. A model based on observed phenomena documented in experimental skin electroporation studies is developed in which the evolution of the Local Transport Region is described in terms of the thermal behavior of the Stratum Corneum lipids. This study conducts a parametric investigation of the transport of large charged solute through the skin during a 300 ms 300 V electroporation pulse. It is determined that the total solute transported into the skin during an electroporation pulse is more sensitive to factors influencing electrical conductivity than to factors influencing the molecular permeability of the skin.

► Transport is most sensitive to parameters affecting SC electrical conductivity. ► The thickness of the SC strongly influences transport and LTR development. ► During an applied pulse, electrophoretic forces dominate transport. ► Total solute transport is strongly influenced by the lipid thermal dependence. ► LTR development is dependent on the SC lipid thermal behavior.