Patents by Inventor Rafael Davalos

Rafael Davalos 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).

  • Patent number: 11607537
    Abstract: This disclosure describes the methods, devices, and systems of treating diseased tissue with integrated nanosecond pulse irreversible electroporation. Methods and systems as disclosed provide MRI compatible shielded electrodes and electrode leads to prevent emanating radiofrequency noise and improve image quality, disconnecting the electrode from the cable linkage to the pulse generator reduce electromagnetic interference and image artifacts, placing electrodes strategically within a guide cannula to minimize distortion from heterogeneities or maximize ablation within the tissue, utilizing conductive fluids, innate or external, such as cerebral spinal fluid or grounding pads to provide a pathway for current return, and for timing of the electrical waveforms with inherent brain electrical activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., VoltMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Latouche, Samuel Lesko, Lucy Epshteyn, Christopher B. Arena, John H. Rossmeisl, Jr., Melvin Lorenzo, Rafael Davalos
  • Publication number: 20220290183
    Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to methods for modifying cells such as, for example, changing shape, cell force, and/or modifying structural integrity of the cells. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to controlling membrane permeability in cells by applying an electric current, where the cells are in contact with a polymeric nanofiber array and wherein direction and voltage of the electric current can be modified to induce the desired cellular response. In some aspects, the method results in higher survivability for cells during electroporation, greater permeability to molecules and/or drugs of different sizes, and greater transfection efficiencies for rare primary cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Rafael DAVALOS, Amrinder NAIN
  • Publication number: 20210370292
    Abstract: Described herein are aspects of a microfluidic separation and assay system that can include a microfluidic contactless dielectrophoretic (cDEP) device, a microfluidic concentrator, and a microfluidic assay chamber. In some aspects, microfluidic separation and assay system can be included on a single microfluidic chip. Also described herein are methods of using the microfluidic separation and assay system described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Temple DOUGLAS, Phillip Melvin GRAYBILL, Rafael DAVALOS
  • Patent number: 11033321
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Publication number: 20190232048
    Abstract: This disclosure describes the methods, devices, and systems of treating diseased tissue with integrated nanosecond pulse irreversible electroporation. Methods and systems as disclosed provide MRI compatible shielded electrodes and electrode leads to prevent emanating radiofrequency noise and improve image quality, disconnecting the electrode from the cable linkage to the pulse generator reduce electromagnetic interference and image artifacts, placing electrodes strategically within a guide cannula to minimize distortion from heterogeneities or maximize ablation within the tissue, utilizing conductive fluids, innate or external, such as cerebral spinal fluid or grounding pads to provide a pathway for current return, and for timing of the electrical waveforms with inherent brain electrical activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: EDUARDO LATOUCHE, SAMUEL LESKO, LUCY EPSHTEYN, CHRISTOPHER ARENA, JOHN ROSSMEISL, MELVIN LORENZO, RAFAEL DAVALOS
  • Publication number: 20190046255
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, BORIS Rubinsky
  • Patent number: 10117701
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Publication number: 20150173824
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: RAFAEL DAVALOS, BORIS RUBINSKY
  • Patent number: 9005189
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Patent number: 8926606
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) or supra-poration to cause cell death in treated tumors. In embodiments, the methods comprise the integration of ultra-short electric pulses, both temporally and spatially, to achieve the desired modality of cell death.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Christopher B. Arena, John Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20120277741
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: RAFAEL DAVALOS, Boris Rubinsky
  • Patent number: 8282631
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Publication number: 20120071874
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Patent number: 8048067
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky
  • Publication number: 20100261994
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) or supra-poration to cause cell death in treated tumors. In embodiments, the methods comprise the integration of ultra-short electric pulses, both temporally and spatially, to achieve the desired modality of cell death.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Rafael DAVALOS, Christopher B. ARENA, John CALDWELL
  • Publication number: 20100030211
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Paulo A. Garcia, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson, Robert E. Neal
  • Publication number: 20070043345
    Abstract: A new method for the ablation of undesirable tissue such as cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor is disclosed. It involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of the undesirable tissue through the application of electrical pulses causing irreversible electroporation of the cells throughout the entire area of the undesirable tissue. The electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body immune system. The amount of tissue ablation achievable through the use of irreversible electroporation without inducing thermal damage is considerable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Rafael Davalos, Boris Rubinsky