Enhanced Ultrasound-Guided Blood-Brain Barrier Opening
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel system and method for improved ultrasound-guided blood-brain barrier opening, enhancing treatment outcomes and patient safety through optimized energy delivery, real-time monitoring, and personalized approaches.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent, 'Ultrasound guided opening of blood-brain barrier', presents a promising solution for treating brain diseases. However, it has limitations in terms of energy delivery, monitoring, and adaptability. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing dynamically adjustable transducer elements, real-time monitoring capabilities, and personalized treatment approaches, thereby improving the safety and efficacy of blood-brain barrier opening.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced system comprises a transducer array with dynamically adjustable elements, allowing for optimized energy delivery and selective barrier opening in target regions. Real-time monitoring is achieved through ultrasound imaging, enabling the detection of changes in barrier permeability and adjustment of ultrasound energy delivery accordingly. Additionally, a cooling system prevents overheating of the transducer and surrounding tissue during prolonged treatment sessions. The system can be personalized using machine learning algorithms to predict optimal ultrasound energy delivery parameters based on individual patient characteristics and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the system can be combined with targeted drug delivery, enhancing agent uptake through selective blood-brain barrier opening.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features that distinguish the enhanced system from the original patent. The dynamically adjustable transducer elements, real-time monitoring capabilities, and personalized approaches provide a significant improvement over the existing technology. These advancements are non-obvious and represent a substantial inventive step, as they require a deep understanding of ultrasound technology, medical imaging, and machine learning.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the enhanced system could include different transducer array configurations, varying cooling system designs, or alternative machine learning algorithms. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use in other medical applications, such as targeted cancer treatment or gene therapy.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced ultrasound-guided blood-brain barrier opening system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of neurology and oncology. The system's ability to improve treatment outcomes and patient safety makes it an attractive solution for hospitals, clinics, and research institutions. The market for this technology is substantial, with an estimated value of over $1 billion in the next five years.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical ultrasound technology with specific focus on neurological interventional procedures, requiring expertise in biomedical engineering, medical imaging, ultrasound physics, and interventional medical device design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device researcher with advanced degree, 5-10 years experience in ultrasound technology, familiar with blood-brain barrier treatment techniques, advanced imaging methods, and medical device optimization strategies
Obviousness Rationale
A person skilled in the art would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's ultrasound blood-brain barrier treatment system. The disclosed enhancements like dynamic transducer element adjustment, real-time monitoring, and machine learning optimization are logical extensions of existing ultrasound guidance techniques. These modifications represent incremental technological developments that would be obvious to implement given the foundational teachings of the source patent.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,812 |
|---|---|
| Title | Ultrasound guided opening of blood-brain barrier |
| Assignee(s) | Cordance Medical Inc. |