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Real-time immune feedback system for ablation-immunotherapy

Biomedical DevicesBiotech & PharmaHealth & Safety TechLab validated

This technology is a method for treating cancer that combines non-thermal tissue ablation (destroying tumor tissue using electrical pulses rather than heat) with real-time immune monitoring to guide follow-on treatment. During the ablation procedure, the system tracks a treatment parameter and uses that signal to decide whether and when to administer additional therapies. The additional therapy involves measuring pro- or anti-inflammatory immune molecules in blood or tissue to assess whether the patient's immune system is responding to the ablation. The core insight is that ablation can trigger an immune response that potentiates immunotherapy, and this method creates a feedback loop between the physical procedure and the biological response to optimize treatment.

What you could build

A clinical decision-support protocol and companion diagnostic system that guides oncologists performing irreversible electroporation (IRE) or similar ablation on solid tumors, recommending immunotherapy regimen adjustments based on live immune biomarker feedback; targeted at cancer treatment centers and interventional oncology practices.

Who in Virginia should care

Virginia's strong academic medical centers (UVA Health, VCU Health) and proximity to NCI-designated cancer programs make this relevant to interventional oncology and oncology device commercialization partnerships.

Readiness: Lab validated

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
RAFAEL V. DAVALOS, NATALIE BEITEL WHITE, NIKOLAOS DERVISIS, IRVING COY ALLEN
Granted
April 26, 2022
Status
Granted patent
Patent number
11311329

Ready to talk?

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.

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Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.