Pre-treatment tissue ablation zone simulation software
This technology is a software-based planning tool that runs before and during electrical ablation procedures—a cancer treatment method that uses high-voltage pulses to destroy tumors. It builds a real-time computer model of how heat and electric fields will spread through a patient's specific tissue when electrodes are placed and pulses delivered. The clinician sees a visual map of the predicted ablation zone, can adjust electrode placement or pulse settings on screen, and only then commits to the actual treatment. The key innovation is that the model accounts for how tissue conductivity changes during electroporation itself, making the prediction more accurate than static models.
What you could build
A treatment-planning software module integrated into irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation systems—such as those used in interventional oncology—that lets physicians simulate and optimize electrode configurations before making incisions; primary buyers are medical device OEMs making IRE platforms and hospital interventional oncology departments.
Who in Virginia should care
Inova, VCU Health, and UVA Health systems performing interventional oncology procedures; also defense-adjacent biomedical device suppliers in Northern Virginia who supply OR planning tools.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Paulo A. Garcia, Christopher B. Arena, Michael B. Sano, Rafael V. Davalos
- Granted
- November 6, 2018
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 10117707
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.