Patents by Inventor Rafael V. Davalos

Rafael V. 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).

  • Publication number: 20200260987
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for monitoring lesion or treated area in a tissue during focal ablation or cell membrane disruption therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Mohammad Bonakdar, Eduardo L. Latouche, Roop L. Mahajan, John L. Robertson, Christopher B. Arena, Michael B. Sano
  • Patent number: 10702326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices and methods for treating a lesion such as a vascular stenosis using non-thermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE). Embodiments of the present invention provide a balloon catheter type NTIRE device for treating a target lesion comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned along the balloon that are electrically independent from each other so as to be individually selectable in order to more precisely treat an asymmetrical lesion in which the lesion extends only partially around the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Neal, II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, Peter Callas
  • Patent number: 10694972
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for monitoring lesion or treated area in a tissue during focal ablation or cell membrane disruption therapy. Provided herein are embodiments of an electrical conductivity sensor having an impedance sensor, where the impedance sensor can be configured to measure a low-frequency and a high-frequency impedance and a substrate, where the impedance sensor is coupled to the substrate. The substrate can be flexible. In embodiments, the impedance sensor can contain two or more electrical conductors. The electrical conductors can be in a bipolar configuration. The electrical conductors can be in a tetrapolar configuration. In embodiments, the electrical conductivity sensor can have two impedance sensors that can be coupled to the substrate such that they are orthogonal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Mohammad Bonakdar, Eduardo L. Latouche, Roop L. Mahajan, John L. Robertson, Christopher B. Arena, Michael B. Sano
  • Publication number: 20200197073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical treatment of diseases and disorders, as well as the field of biomedical engineering. Embodiments of the invention relate to the delivery of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) through the vasculature of organs to treat tumors embedded deep within the tissue or organ, or to decellularize organs to produce a scaffold from existing animal tissue with the existing vasculature intact. In particular, methods of administering non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) in vivo are provided for the treatment of tumors located in vascularized tissues and organs. Embodiments of the invention further provide scaffolds and tissues from natural sources created using IRE ex vivo to remove cellular debris, maximize recellularization potential, and minimize foreign body immune response. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, Rafael V. Davalos, John L. Robertson, Paulo A. Garcia, Robert E. Neal
  • Publication number: 20200093541
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Robert E. Neal, II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20200046967
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of electroporation that can include the steps of contacting a cell that is responsive to an EphA2 receptor ligand with an amount of an EphA2 receptor ligand and applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation to the cell. Also described herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, wherein the methods can include the steps of administering an amount of an EphA2 receptor ligand and applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation to a location on or within the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: JILL W. IVEY, EDUARDO L. LATOUCHE, SCOTT S. VERBRIDGE, RAFAEL V. DAVALOS, GLENN J. LESSER, WALDEMAR DEBINSKI
  • Publication number: 20200046432
    Abstract: The invention provides for a system for estimating a 3-dimensional treatment volume for a device that applies treatment energy through a plurality of electrodes defining a treatment area, the system comprising a memory, a display device, a processor coupled to the memory and the display device, and a treatment planning module stored in the memory and executable by the processor. In one embodiment, the treatment planning module is adapted to generate an estimated first 3-dimensional treatment volume for display in the display device based on the ratio of a maximum conductivity of the treatment area to a baseline conductivity of the treatment area. The invention also provides for a method for estimating 3-dimensional treatment volume, the steps of which are executable through the processor. In embodiments, the system and method are based on a numerical model which may be implemented in computer readable code which is executable through a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos
  • Patent number: 10537379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical treatment of diseases and disorders, as well as the field of biomedical engineering. Embodiments of the invention relate to the delivery of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) through the vasculature of organs to treat tumors embedded deep within the tissue or organ, or to decellularize organs to produce a scaffold from existing animal tissue with the existing vasculature intact. In particular, methods of administering non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) in vivo are provided for the treatment of tumors located in vascularized tissues and organs. Embodiments of the invention further provide scaffolds and tissues from natural sources created using IRE ex vivo to remove cellular debris, maximize recellularization potential, and minimize foreign body immune response. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, Rafael V. Davalos, John L. Robertson, Paulo A. Garcia, Robert E. Neal
  • Publication number: 20190376055
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Paulo A. Garcia, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson, Robert E. Neal, II
  • Patent number: 10471254
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating aberrant cells such as cancer cells through administration of a train of electrical pulses is described. The pulse length and delay between successive pulses is optimized to produce effects on intracellular membrane potentials. Therapies based on the system and method produce two treatment zones: an ablation zone surrounding the electrodes within which aberrant cells are non-selectively killed and a selective treatment zone surrounding the ablation zone within which target cells are selectively killed through effects on intracellular membrane potentials. As a result, infiltrating tumor cells within a tumor margin can be effectively treated while sparing healthy tissue. The system and method are useful for treating various cancers in which solid tumors form and have a chance of recurrence from microscopic disease surrounding the tumor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, Christopher B. Arena, Scott S. Verbridge, Rafael V. Davalos
  • Patent number: 10470822
    Abstract: The invention provides for a system for estimating a 3-dimensional treatment volume for a device that applies treatment energy through a plurality of electrodes defining a treatment area, the system comprising a memory, a display device, a processor coupled to the memory and the display device, and a treatment planning module stored in the memory and executable by the processor. In one embodiment, the treatment planning module is adapted to generate an estimated first 3-dimensional treatment volume for display in the display device based on the ratio of a maximum conductivity of the treatment area to a baseline conductivity of the treatment area. The invention also provides for a method for estimating 3-dimensional treatment volume, the steps of which are executable through the processor. In embodiments, the system and method are based on a numerical model which may be implemented in computer readable code which is executable through a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos
  • Publication number: 20190328445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering and medical treatment of diseases and disorders. Methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders are provided. In embodiments, the methods comprise the delivery of high-frequency bursts of bipolar pulses to achieve the desired modality of cell death. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a device and method for destroying aberrant cells, including tumor tissues, using high-frequency, bipolar electrical pulses having a burst width on the order of microseconds and duration of single polarity on the microsecond to nanosecond scale. In embodiments, the methods rely on conventional electroporation with adjuvant drugs or irreversible electroporation to cause cell death in treated tumors. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, Christopher B. Arena, Scott S. Verbridge, Rafael V. Davalos
  • Patent number: 10448989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering and medical treatment of diseases and disorders. Methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders are provided. In embodiments, the methods comprise the delivery of high-frequency bursts of bipolar pulses to achieve the desired modality of cell death. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a device and method for destroying aberrant cells, including tumor tissues, using high-frequency, bipolar electrical pulses having a burst width on the order of microseconds and duration of single polarity on the microsecond to nanosecond scale. In embodiments, the methods rely on conventional electroporation with adjuvant drugs or irreversible electroporation to cause cell death in treated tumors. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Arena, Rafael V. Davalos, Michael B. Sano
  • Publication number: 20190282294
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of performing immunotherapy on a subject and/or determining if a subject will be responsive to ablation immunotherapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: RAFAEL V. DAVALOS, NATALIE BEITEL WHITE, NIKOLAOS DERVISIS, IRVING COY ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20190256839
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Neal, II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20190233809
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Neal, II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, John H. Rossmeisl, John L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20190223938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering and medical treatment of diseases and disorders. Methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders are provided. In embodiments, the methods comprise the delivery of high-frequency bursts of bipolar pulses to achieve the desired modality of cell death. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a device and method for destroying aberrant cells, including tumor tissues, using high-frequency, bipolar electrical pulses having a burst width on the order of microseconds and duration of single polarity on the microsecond to nanosecond scale. In embodiments, the methods rely on conventional electroporation with adjuvant drugs or irreversible electroporation to cause cell death in treated tumors. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher B. Arena, Rafael V. Davalos, Michael B. Sano
  • Publication number: 20190175260
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. Included is a method of treating tissue with electrical energy, the method comprising: delivering electrical energy to tissue using one or more electroporation devices comprising one or more electrodes; and cooling the tissue, surrounding tissue, one or more of the electrodes, or one or more of the electroporation devices to minimize heating. In embodiments, the invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors, and in some embodiments, exemplary methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Paulo A. Garcia, John L. Robertson, John H. Rossmeisl, Robert E. Neal, II
  • Publication number: 20190175248
    Abstract: A medical system for ablating a tissue site with real-time monitoring during an electroporation treatment procedure. A pulse generator generates a pre-treatment (PT) test signal prior to the treatment procedure and intra-treatment (IT) test signals during the treatment procedure. A treatment control module determines impedance values from the PT test signal and IT test signals and determines a progress of electroporation and an end point of treatment in real-time based on the determined impedance values while the treatment progresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Neal, II, Rafael V. Davalos
  • Patent number: 10292755
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering and medical treatment of diseases and disorders. Methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders are provided. In embodiments, the methods comprise the delivery of high-frequency bursts of bipolar pulses to achieve the desired modality of cell death. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a device and method for destroying aberrant cells, including tumor tissues, using high-frequency, bipolar electrical pulses having a burst width on the order of microseconds and duration of single polarity on the microsecond to nanosecond scale. In embodiments, the methods rely on conventional electroporation with adjuvant drugs or irreversible electroporation to cause cell death in treated tumors. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Arena, Rafael V. Davalos, Michael B. Sano