Patents by Inventor Karl H. Schoenbach
Karl H. Schoenbach has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10905874Abstract: Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignees: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Richard Nuccitelli, Stephen J. Beebe, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Patent number: 10660693Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues including target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Richard Heller, James Camp, Stephen P. Beebe, Shu Xiao, Amy Donate
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Patent number: 10653880Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for delivering an agent into a cell through the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields (“nsPEF's”). The method includes circuitry for delivery of an agent into a cell via known methods followed by the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell in order to facilitate entry of the agent into the nucleus of the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing gene expression in a cell comprising the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell. An apparatus for generating long and short pulses according to the present invention is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing a first pulse having a long duration and low voltage amplitude and a second pulse having a short duration and high voltage amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignees: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Stephen J. Beebe, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Patent number: 10363093Abstract: A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrowband and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao
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Patent number: 10328259Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system can deliver electric pulses to a targeted region within a biological tissue. The system includes an antenna assembly and a lens. The antenna assembly is configured to generate and direct electromagnetic radiation. The lens is configured to be positioned between a surface of the biological tissue and the antenna assembly. The lens can have a plurality of lossy portions. The lens can be configured to be adjustable to create a patient-specific desired electric field distribution by selective positioning of the plurality of lossy portions within the lens.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Shu Xiao, Andrei Pakhomov, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Publication number: 20190038337Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues including target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Karl H. SCHOENBACH, Richard HELLER, James CAMP, Stephen P. BEEBE, Shu XIAO, Amy DONATE
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Patent number: 10143519Abstract: A method of treating a patient is described herein. The method can include the steps of identifying a target that contains biological tissue and directing one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation at the target. The pulses of electromagnetic radiation can cause a temperature increase per unit of time in the biological tissue. Additionally, the temperature increase per unit of time can cause the change in the cell function in the biological tissue and can be within a range of approximately one degree Celsius per second to approximately one degree Celsius per microsecond.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao
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Publication number: 20180296837Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system can deliver electric pulses to a targeted region within a biological tissue. The system includes an antenna assembly and a lens. The antenna assembly is configured to generate and direct electromagnetic radiation. The lens is configured to be positioned between a surface of the biological tissue and the antenna assembly. The lens can have a plurality of lossy portions. The lens can be configured to be adjustable to create a patient-specific desired electric field distribution by selective positioning of the plurality of lossy portions within the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Shu XIAO, Andrei PAKHOMOV, Karl H. SCHOENBACH
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Patent number: 10070914Abstract: Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues comprising target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Richard Heller, James Camp, Stephen P. Beebe, Shu Xiao, Amy Donate
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Patent number: 10029093Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Shu Xiao, Andrei Pakhomov, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Publication number: 20180200510Abstract: Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Richard NUCCITELLI, Stephen J. BEEBE, Karl H. SCHOENBACH
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Patent number: 9943684Abstract: Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignees: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Old Dominion University Research FoundationInventors: Richard Nuccitelli, Stephen J. Beebe, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Publication number: 20170319843Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for delivering an agent into a cell through the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields (“nsPEF's”). The method includes circuitry for delivery of an agent into a cell via known methods followed by the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell in order to facilitate entry of the agent into the nucleus of the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing gene expression in a cell comprising the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell. An apparatus for generating long and short pulses according to the present invention is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing a first pulse having a long duration and low voltage amplitude and a second pulse having a short duration and high voltage amplitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Stephen J. BEEBE, Karl H. SCHOENBACH
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Publication number: 20170304002Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for intracellular electromanipulation of proteins using nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs). The nsPEFs have effects on proteins in addition to permeabilizing cellular membranes. The nsPEFs induce a Ca2+-dependent dissipation of the mitochondria membrane potential (??m), which is enhanced when high frequency components are present in fast rise-fall waveforms. Ca2+ is shown to have little or no effect on propidium iodide uptake as a measure of plasma membrane poration and consequently intracellular membranes. Since Ca2+-regulated events are mediated by proteins, actions of nsPEFs on proteins that regulate and/or affect the mitochondria membrane potential are possible. Given that nsPEF-induced dissipation of ??m was more effective when high frequency components were present in fast rise time waveforms, the effects on proteins are due to these high frequency components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Stephen J. BEEBE, Karl H. SCHOENBACH
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Patent number: 9724011Abstract: An imaging and recordation system is provided. The system includes a high-power, focusing antenna for illuminating biological tissue. The system further includes a power source for powering the antenna. The system further includes a data acquisition module, for recording the dielectric properties of tissues illuminated by the high-power, focusing antenna. The system illuminates the tissues using ultrashort electrical pulses.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao
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Publication number: 20170165003Abstract: A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrowband and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao
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Publication number: 20170095664Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Shu Xiao, Andrei Pakhomov, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Patent number: 9351791Abstract: A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrow-band and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao
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Patent number: 9333368Abstract: A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Shu Xiao, Andrei Pakhomov, Karl H. Schoenbach
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Publication number: 20160106335Abstract: An imaging and recordation system is provided. The system includes a high-power, focusing antenna for illuminating biological tissue. The system further includes a power source for powering the antenna. The system further includes a data acquisition module, for recording the dielectric properties of tissues illuminated by the high-power, focusing antenna. The system illuminates the tissues using ultrashort electrical pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Karl H. Schoenbach, Shu Xiao