Pulmonary Tissue Immunostimulation With Non-Thermal Electric Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for pulmonary disorders and infections, such as COPD, asthma, and viral infections like COVID-19, are limited by inadequate dosing compliance, side effects, and lack of targeted interventional procedures that cause inflammatory responses and remodeling, failing to effectively manage symptoms and pathogens.
Innovation Solution
The use of non-thermal pulsed electric field energy delivered through electrodes to target tissues, triggering an immunostimulatory cascade or direct pathogen destruction, reducing infections by stimulating antibody production or T-cell activation, and avoiding thermal ablation to minimize inflammation and remodeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal ablation is used to treat viral infections, then pathogen destruction is achieved, but inflammation and tissue remodeling are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of energy delivery from thermal (continuous heating) to non-thermal (pulsed electric fields). By using short-duration high-voltage pulses instead of continuous thermal energy, the system achieves pathogen membrane disruption and immune stimulation without causing the thermal damage, inflammation, and remodeling associated with traditional thermal ablation methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/chemical mechanism of pathogen destruction with an electrical/mechanical mechanism. Pulsed electric fields directly disrupt pathogen membranes through electroporation and electropermeabilization, and stimulate immune cells through electrical field effects, eliminating the need for thermal ablation while achieving effective pathogen control
2Ease of operation
If conventional treatments are used for viral infections, then symptoms are managed, but dosing compliance is inadequate and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the patient's own immune system to serve as the treatment mechanism. By delivering pulsed electric fields that stimulate endogenous immune cells (T-cells, B-cells, macrophages) to produce antibodies and mount antiviral responses, the system eliminates the need for external medication dosing, thereby achieving perfect compliance while reducing pharmaceutical side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pulsed electric field energy as an intermediary that bridges external treatment delivery and internal immune system activation. The electrical pulses serve as a mediator that translates external energy input into internal immune responses, enabling effective treatment without requiring direct pharmacological intervention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces infections and symptoms by directly targeting pathogens and stimulating the immune system, providing a controlled treatment that minimizes side effects and tissue damage, improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
delivering non-thermal pulsed electric field energy through at least one of the at least one electrode to the target tissue area
Implementation Method 2
triggering an immunostimulatory cascade or direct pathogen destruction
Implementation Method 3
avoiding thermal ablation to minimize inflammation and remodeling
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for treating pulmonary tissues via delivery of energy, generally characterized by high voltage pulses, to target tissue using a pulmonary tissue modification system (e.g., an energy delivery catheter system). Example pulmonary tissues include, without limitation, those within the respiratory tract, particularly the epithelium (the goblet cells, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells, and basal cells), lamina propria, submucosa, submucosal glands, basement membrane, smooth muscle, cartilage, nerves, pathogens resident near or within the tissue, or a combination of any of these. The systems may be used to treat pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, particularly coronaviruses.