Patents by Inventor Gal Shafirstein
Gal Shafirstein 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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Publication number: 20230173301Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system for treating a tissue using photodynamic therapy (PDT). A photosensitizer is administered to the tissue and one or more optical fibers are placed in the tissue. A treatment light is applied to the tissue by way of the one or more optical fibers. A temperature of the tissue is measured during application of the treatment light, and a fluence rate of the treatment light is modified based on the temperature of the tissue. For example, the fluence rate may be modified to be lower if the temperature of the tissue is higher than a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, David Bellnier
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Patent number: 11344742Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that use a flexible guide (flap) and a scanning method to control the delivery of light dose to a treatment area. This approach overcomes the non-reliable delivery of light dose with a flap that conforms to the target area. Dosimetry control can be improved through the use of a computer controlled motor to move the laser fibers at known speed over the target tissue. In some embodiments, treatment time is reduced and illumination of large surfaces is achieved by using multiple fibers to deliver the light simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Health Research, Inc.Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Brian Wrazen, David A. Bellnier, Todd Demmy
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Patent number: 11040217Abstract: A system and method for interstitial photodynamic light therapy (I-PDT) of a tissue. A plurality of light-transmitting catheters (LTCs) are provided and placed in the tissue according to a pre-determined treatment plan, wherein an LTC includes a first treatment fiber disposed therethrough, and an LTC includes a dosimetry fiber disposed therethrough. A dose light is provided to the tissue by way of the first treatment fiber according to the pre-determined treatment plan. Light received at the dosimetry fiber is measured using a spectrometer in operable communication with the dosimetry fiber. One or more properties of a photosensitizer in the tissue are determined. The treatment plan is modified based on the properties of the photosensitizer, and an updated dose light is provided to the tissue by way of the first treatment fiber according to the modified treatment plan.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Health Research, Inc.Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Brian Wrazen, Nestor Rigual
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Publication number: 20200046997Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system for treating a tissue using photodynamic therapy (PDT). A photosensitizer is administered to the tissue and one or more optical fibers are placed in the tissue. A treatment light is applied to the tissue by way of the one or more optical fibers. A temperature of the tissue is measured during application of the treatment light, and a fluence rate of the treatment light is modified based on the temperature of the tissue. For example, the fluence rate may be modified to be lower if the temperature of the tissue is higher than a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Gal SHAFIRSTEIN, David Bellnier
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Publication number: 20180207441Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that use a flexible guide (flap) and a scanning method to control the delivery of light dose to a treatment area. This approach overcomes the non-reliable delivery of light dose with a flap that conforms to the target area. Dosimetry control can be improved through the use of a computer controlled motor to move the laser fibers at known speed over the target tissue. In some embodiments, treatment time is reduced and illumination of large surfaces is achieved by using multiple fibers to deliver the light simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Gal SHAFIRSTEIN, Brian WRAZEN, David A. BELLNIER, Todd DEMMY
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Publication number: 20180207442Abstract: A system and method for interstitial photodynamic light therapy (I-PDT) of a tissue. A plurality of light-transmitting catheters (LTCs) are provided and placed in the tissue according to a pre-determined treatment plan, wherein an LTC includes a first treatment fiber disposed therethrough, and an LTC includes a dosimetry fiber disposed therethrough. A dose light is provided to the tissue by way of the first treatment fiber according to the pre-determined treatment plan. Light received at the dosimetry fiber is measured using a spectrometer in operable communication with the dosimetry fiber. One or more properties of a photosensitizer in the tissue are determined. The treatment plan is modified based on the properties of the photosensitizer, and an updated dose light is provided to the tissue by way of the first treatment fiber according to the modified treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Gal SHAFIRSTEIN, Brian WRAZEN, Nestor RIGUAL
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Patent number: 9687268Abstract: A dermatome including a battery unit, a handle, and a head portion. The head portion includes guards capable of being adjusted to control the width and the depth of the cut without an interruption in the medical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: BioVentures, LLC, Arkansas Children's Research InstituteInventors: Gal Shafirstein, Anjay K. Khandelwal, James C. Walker
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Publication number: 20140378956Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors. A tip has a plurality of deployable thermal conductive elements whose temperatures are individually controllable. This allows the shape of the thermal field to be controlled and for specific areas to be protected from excessive heat by cooling those specific areas while ablating other areas. In another embodiment, the deployable thermal conductive elements are individually deployable to various lengths to further aid in shaping the thermal field. The temperatures and the shape of the thermal field may be monitored and controlled by a data processing device, such as a microprocessor. Further selectivity in defining the area of tissue to be treated may be achieved by introducing into the tissue thermal additives that alter the thermal properties of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Gal Shafirstein
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Patent number: 8858545Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors. A tip has a plurality of deployable thermal conductive elements whose temperatures are individually controllable. This allows the shape of the thermal field to be controlled and for specific areas to be protected from excessive heat by cooling those specific areas while ablating other areas. In another embodiment, the deployable thermal conductive elements are individually deployable to various lengths to further aid in shaping the thermal field. The temperatures and the shape of the thermal field may be monitored and controlled by a data processing device, such as a microprocessor. Further selectivity in defining the area of tissue to be treated may be achieved by introducing into the tissue thermal additives that alter the thermal properties of the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignees: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Inc.Inventor: Gal Shafirstein
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Publication number: 20140236180Abstract: A dermatome including a battery unit, a handle, and a head portion. The head portion includes guards capable of being adjusted to control the width and the depth of the cut without an interruption in the medical procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Anjay K. Khandelwal, James C. Walker
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Publication number: 20100318077Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors. A tip has a plurality of deployable thermal conductive elements whose temperatures are individually controllable. This allows the shape of the thermal field to be controlled and for specific areas to be protected from excessive heat by cooling those specific areas while ablating other areas. In another embodiment, the deployable thermal conductive elements are individually deployable to various lengths to further aid in shaping the thermal field. The temperatures and the shape of the thermal field may be monitored and controlled by a data processing device, such as a microprocessor. Further selectivity in defining the area of tissue to be treated may be achieved by introducing into the tissue thermal additives that alter the thermal properties of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Gal Shafirstein
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Patent number: 7853089Abstract: An automated method for analyzing whether all cancerous or abnormal tissue has been removed as a result of surgical resection is disclosed. A number of tissue section slides are prepared representing all or a relatively large percentage of the tissue sample, and high-resolution digital microscopic images are formed of the sections. A clustering algorithm forms an image showing the healthy tissue margins, such representation being stored in a file of significantly smaller size than the original photograph. These two-dimensional image files may be formed into a three-dimensional image of the entire resected tissue, thereby improving the accuracy and ease by which a pathologist may determine if further surgery or radiation therapy, for example, are indicated.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Gal Shafirstein, Xiaowei Xu, Mutlu Mete
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Publication number: 20100298911Abstract: A method and apparatus for personalized interactive laser therapy (PILT) treatment of Port Wine Stains (PWS) in real time in which low radiant exposure from a laser hand piece slightly heats up the treatment site while an infrared sensor in the laser hand piece measures the temperature increase. A mathematical algorithm calculates the vessel size distribution at the treatment site. The appropriate radiant exposure (based on the vessel size distribution) is then delivered to the treatment site.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventor: Gal Shafirstein
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Patent number: 7769432Abstract: The present invention provides a treatment method to excise a cancerous lesion, such as in the breast, with subsequent ablation of the margin. The method provides for location and excision with ablation under open guidance or guided imaging and for diagnosis by cytology. The method may be a minimally, invasive same day method with diagnosis before or immediately after excision. Also provided is a method of treating close or positive margins of an excisional site of a cancerous lesion in a breast by ablating the margin while monitoring the fluorescence of a fluorophor at the site to determine when ablation of the close or positive margin has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: V. Suzanne Klimberg, Sohelia Korourian, Steven Harms, Gal Shafirstein
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Publication number: 20080205776Abstract: An automated method for analyzing whether all cancerous or abnormal tissue has been removed as a result of surgical resection is disclosed. A number of tissue section slides are prepared representing all or a relatively large percentage of the tissue sample, and high-resolution digital microscopic images are formed of the sections. A clustering algorithm forms an image showing the healthy tissue margins, such representation being stored in a file of significantly smaller size than the original photograph. These two-dimensional image files may be formed into a three-dimensional image of the entire resected tissue, thereby improving the accuracy and ease by which a pathologist may determine if further surgery or radiation therapy, for example, are indicated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Xiaowei Xu, Mutlu Mete
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Patent number: 7361173Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of ArkansasInventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott L. Ferguson, Milton Waner
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Publication number: 20060167445Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors. A tip has a plurality of deployable thermal conductive elements whose temperatures are individually controllable. This allows the shape of the thermal field to be controlled and for specific areas to be protected from excessive heat by cooling those specific areas while ablating other areas. In another embodiment, the deployable thermal conductive elements are individually deployable to various lengths to further aid in shaping the thermal field. The temperatures and the shape of the thermal field may be monitored and controlled by a data processing device, such as a microprocessor. Further selectivity in defining the area of tissue to be treated may be achieved by introducing into the tissue thermal additives that alter the thermal properties of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2006Publication date: July 27, 2006Inventor: Gal Shafirstein
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Publication number: 20050238539Abstract: An apparatus for sectioning fresh unfixed tissue into very thin layers with preserved tissue architecture, antigenicity, mRNA content, and amenable to 3-D computer reconstruction. An electro-discharge machine (EDM) to accurately slice tissues through electro-dissociation of the tissue without mechanical or thermal damage. The tissue sample is placed on a holder submerged in a cooling bath comprising a liquid such as saline or water to minimize thermal effects and to provide a sink for dissociated ions. A cutting tool is electrically biased with respect to the tissue sample. A computer controlled EDM machine with x-y-z translation stage slices the tissue as defined by a predetermined program. The liquid in the cooling bath may be cooled to minimize tissue heating during cutting.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2004Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott Ferguson, Louis Fink, Paula North, Milton Waner
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Publication number: 20050220674Abstract: An apparatus for sectioning fresh unfixed tissue into very thin layers with preserved tissue architecture, antigenicity, mRNA content, and amenable to 3-D computer reconstruction without mechanical or thermal damage by employing a sectioning tool having an electrode with an intense focused electrical field at an edge. A computer controlled x-y-z translation stage moves the sectioning tool through the tissue as defined by a predetermined program. The sectioning tool produces consecutive thin sections of fresh tissue for immunohistochemical and nucleic acids analyses without mechanical or thermal damage, ultimately allowing high-resolution volumetric reconstruction of gene and protein expression patterns of large tissue specimens. The geometry of the sectioning tool is selected so as to produce a spatially localized electrical field of sufficient intensity to sever molecular bonds or propagate flaws in tissue without mechanical cutting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott Ferguson, Louis Fink, Richard Ulrich
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Publication number: 20050119645Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2005Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott Ferguson, Milton Waner