Real-time ablation zone simulator for electroporation
This technology is a treatment planning tool for doctors performing tumor ablation procedures using electrical energy, specifically irreversible electroporation (IRE). Before making a single incision, the physician inputs electrode placement and pulse parameters into the system, which then runs a physics model to predict exactly how heat and electric fields will spread through the target tissue. The results are displayed as a visual map showing the predicted ablation zone, allowing the doctor to adjust the plan until the kill zone precisely covers the tumor without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Think of it as GPS-guided route planning, but for destroying cancer cells.
What you could build
A software planning module integrated into electroporation or ablation device consoles — sold to hospitals, interventional radiology suites, and surgical centers — that lets clinicians simulate and tune their electrode configurations before treating liver, pancreatic, or prostate tumors.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia hospitals and health systems (Inova, VCU Health, UVA Health) performing interventional oncology procedures, as well as medtech device companies with a Mid-Atlantic presence, would be plausible licensees or development partners.
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
- March 15, 2022
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11272979
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.