Real-time ablation zone prediction for intraoperative guidance
This system helps doctors performing ablation procedures — where electrical pulses destroy diseased tissue like tumors — by showing them in real time exactly where their treatment probes are placed relative to the target tissue on a display. It generates a fast estimate of the tissue destruction zone that would normally require a slow, computationally intensive simulation like finite element analysis. By dramatically shortening the calculation time, it lets clinicians see a predicted treatment boundary almost instantly during the procedure. The system also reconciles planned probe positions with actual physical placement inside the patient, helping ensure the treatment covers the intended area.
What you could build
A real-time surgical guidance software module integrated into ablation generator systems — such as irreversible electroporation or radiofrequency ablation platforms — that gives interventional radiologists and oncologists instant visual feedback on predicted treatment zones during tumor ablation procedures.
Who in Virginia should care
Interventional oncology device companies, hospital systems with interventional radiology programs, and medtech firms in Northern Virginia or the broader Mid-Atlantic corridor with FDA regulatory infrastructure.
Readiness: Prototype likely
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 M. PEARSON, James G. LOVEWELL, David WARDEN, David Lee MORRISON, Tony R. SARNO, Hy Truong LAI, William C. HAMILTON, Rafael Vidal DAVALOS, Robert E. NEAL II
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed August 7, 2024
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20240390055A1
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.