Real-time impedance spectroscopy monitor for electroporation
This technology provides a real-time feedback system for doctors performing electroporation-based cancer treatments, where high-voltage electrical pulses are used to destroy tumor cells. The core problem is that existing equipment takes about 10 seconds to measure how tissue is responding electrically, but treatment pulses fire roughly every second — so clinicians are essentially flying blind between pulses. This new method, called FAST, captures tissue electrical measurements in well under one second, fast enough to monitor what's happening both between and during each pulse burst. Crucially, it can also distinguish whether tissue changes are being caused by the intended electroporation effect or by unwanted heat buildup, and it can work with pulse generator hardware that already exists in clinical settings.
What you could build
A software or firmware module integrated into commercial electroporation systems (such as IRE or ECT devices) that provides real-time treatment monitoring and automated pulse parameter adjustment; primary buyers would be medical device companies selling electroporation platforms and, secondarily, hospital interventional oncology departments.
Who in Virginia should care
Medical device companies and university hospital systems in Virginia with interventional oncology programs, such as UVA Health, would be natural early adopters or commercialization partners.
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
- Melvin F. Lorenzo, Christopher B. Arena, Suyashree Bhonsle, Natalie White, Lucy Epshteyn, Rafael V. Davalos
- Granted
- February 4, 2025
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12214189
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.