The University of Texas System

Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc.

Jon Alexander Schwartz

Jody Valentine Vykoukal

Glenn Patrick Goodrich

Andrew Mark Murphy

Frederick F Becker

Peter R Gascoyne

Peter R C Gascoyne

Sunil Krishnan

J Donald Payne

Parmeswaran Diagaradjane

James Chunjay Wang

Martin Korbling

Christopher L Coleman

Various methods, systems, and devices for treating tissue ablation are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein pertain to methods of treating tumors, systems used for irradiating tissue and tumors with electromagnetic radiation, components and devices of that system, and kits for providing systems used for irradiating tissue and tumors with electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the system provides sub-ablative infrared radiation that is absorbed by nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles absorb the radiation converting it into heat energy. In some embodiments, though the infrared radiation itself may be sub-ablative, the heat energy generated by the nanoparticles is sufficient to cause thermal coagulation, hyperthermia, and/or tissue ablation.

Devices and systems for ablation therapy

Devices and the use thereof in methods for ablation therapy

Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.

Programmable fluidic processors

Methods are provided for the treatment of diseases and disorders using systematically-introduced nanoparticles to create a focused localized hyperthermia in a target area to enhance the effect of additional treatment therapies such as ionizing radiation. Advantages include an enhancement of the therapeutic effect of other therapies by increasing perfusion or reducing hypoxia in the treatment area, further, the methods herein may also result in the disruption of the vasculature, which provide further impetus for such treatments, singly and in combination with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Methods for treating a target area may comprise systemically introducing nanoparticles into an organism; allowing the nanoparticles to preferentially accumulate in the target area, applying an external energy where the nanoparticles are adapted to transduce at least a portion of the external energy into a heat energy so as to create a focused localized hyperthermia; and applying a subsequent additional therapy.

Treatments of disease or disorders using nanoparticles for focused hyperthermia to increase therapy efficacy

Methods and devices are provided for the extracorporeal ablation of target cells circulating in blood of an organism. Exogenous material introduced into the blood preferentially associates with target cells (e.g. cancer cells, bacteria, viruses) in the blood. An extracorporeal continuous flow pathway accesses the patient's blood to apply an external energy source to the blood at an ex vivo ablation device in a portion of the extracorporeal continuous flow pathway. The exogenous material interact with the applied energy so as to result in the damage or death of the target cells. The blood is then returned to the body in a continuous-flow pattern. By applying the energy while the blood is in the ex vivo ablation device, shielding of the target cells by the body is reduced and detrimental effects on the organs and tissues of the body are avoided or mitigated.

Devices and methods for extracorporeal ablation of circulating cells

Methods and apparatuses for metered injection of a fluid packet. A vessel containing a fluid is pressurized to a pressure less than or equal to a hold-off pressure. The fluid is subjected to an extraction force to form the fluid packet and extract the fluid packet from the vessel onto a surface.

Apparatus and method for fluid injection

A dielectric gate and related systems and methods for controlling fluid flow. A dielectric gate includes one or more electrodes coupled between an inlet fluid pathway and an outlet fluid pathway. The electrodes are configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway in a precise manner by using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the electrodes.

Growing community of inventors

Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Jon Alexander Schwartz