Biphasic pulse ablation that eliminates muscle contraction
This technology improves a cancer treatment called irreversible electroporation (IRE), which kills tumors by delivering electrical pulses that permanently disrupt cell membranes. The innovation uses rapidly alternating biphasic pulses—switching polarity at high frequency—to destroy target tissue while reducing collateral damage like nerve stimulation and muscle contractions that make standard IRE painful and risky. On top of that, the system generates patient-specific treatment plans by building 3D computer models of the tumor from medical images, allowing clinicians to tailor pulse parameters to the exact shape and tissue properties of each patient's tumor. The result is a safer, more precise ablation procedure that could be performed with less anesthesia and fewer complications.
What you could build
A software-and-hardware platform for interventional oncologists that combines a biphasic pulse generator with patient-specific 3D treatment planning software, sold to hospitals and cancer centers performing soft-tissue tumor ablation where heat-based methods are too risky.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia hospitals and academic medical centers (UVA Health, VCU Health, Inova) with interventional oncology or minimally invasive surgery programs would be natural clinical partners or early adopters.
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
- Robert E. Neal II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson
- Granted
- May 23, 2023
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11655466
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.