Nanosecond-pulse electroporation system for nonthermal tumor
This technology uses carefully timed sequences of very short electrical pulses delivered through implanted electrodes to destroy abnormal cells, such as tumors, without generating damaging heat. Each individual pulse is too weak to kill cells on its own, but when combined in a rapid sequence, they collectively disrupt cell membranes in a way that causes cell death — a process called irreversible electroporation (IRE). The approach targets solid tumors including brain tumors and is designed to be minimally invasive, sparing surrounding healthy tissue from thermal damage. By tuning the pulse timing and spatial delivery, clinicians can dial in the desired level and type of cell killing.
What you could build
A minimally invasive tumor ablation system — combining a pulse generator and implantable electrode — sold to oncology centers and neurosurgery departments as an alternative to thermal ablation or surgical resection for patients with inoperable or difficult-to-access tumors.
Who in Virginia should care
Medical device companies, university hospital systems, and defense-adjacent bioelectronics firms in Northern Virginia or the Virginia Tech/UVA research 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 DAVALOS, Christopher B. ARENA, John CALDWELL
- Granted
- January 6, 2015
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 8926606
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.