Nanoparticle-enhanced irreversible electroporation for solid
This technology combines irreversible electroporation (IRE) — a technique that kills tumor cells by delivering precisely targeted electrical pulses — with engineered nanoparticles to make the treatment more effective and accurate. The nanoparticles, which have a high length-to-width ratio, are injected near or into a tumor and then align with the applied electric field, locally amplifying it. This amplification allows doctors to destroy a larger or more precisely defined volume of tumor tissue at lower overall energy levels, potentially reducing collateral damage to healthy surrounding tissue. The approach is particularly noted for brain tumors, where sparing healthy tissue is critical.
What you could build
A combination therapeutic kit — injectable nanoparticle suspension plus a compatible IRE pulse delivery system — sold to oncology centers and neurosurgical suites treating solid tumors, especially glioblastoma and other brain cancers where surgical margins are tight.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia hospital systems with active oncology and neurosurgery programs (Inova, VCU Health, UVA Health) and med-device companies in the Northern Virginia/Richmond corridor would be natural partners or licensees.
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, Marissa N. RYLANDER, Christopher B. ARENA
- Granted
- June 18, 2013
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 8465484
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.