High-frequency pulse ablation that spares healthy tissue
This technology uses precisely controlled bursts of high-frequency electrical pulses to kill cancer cells without generating damaging heat. By delivering bipolar pulses at 50 kHz or higher with very short individual pulse widths, it causes irreversible damage to cell membranes in tumors, leading to cell death. The device allows clinicians to independently tune the strength and timing of positive and negative pulses, giving fine control over the treatment zone. It is designed for use directly on solid tumors, including brain tumors, where avoiding heat damage to surrounding tissue is critical.
What you could build
A clinical ablation system for interventional oncologists treating solid tumors—particularly brain, liver, or pancreatic tumors—where a probe delivers precisely calibrated high-frequency pulse bursts to destroy cancer cells without thermal collateral damage. Hospitals, surgical centers, and medical device OEMs in the ablation space would be the primary buyers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based academic medical centers (e.g., UVA Health, VCU Health) performing interventional oncology procedures, and defense-adjacent biomedical device companies in the Northern Virginia corridor with bioelectronics capabilities.
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
- Christopher B. ARENA, Rafael V. Davalos, Michael B. Sano
- Granted
- October 22, 2019
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 10448989
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.