Wearable ultrasound device for targeted mapping and modulation of brain tissue

This technology is a wearable focused ultrasound device that can simultaneously modulate and map the brain by temporarily disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Unmet Need: Non-invasive and localized technique for brain modulation and monitoring

Current focused ultrasound techniques can be used for noninvasive treatment of brain tissue during various neurological disorders that would be otherwise difficult to treat due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Repetitive courses of focused ultrasound treatment can be used to provide consistent drug delivery or neuromodulation. However, most systems for focused ultrasound utilize bulky and immovable equipment that can be unsuitable for use outside of a clinical setting. There are currently no convenient and simple techniques for the modulation and mapping of brain tissue using functional ultrasound.

The Technology: Focused, wearable ultrasound system for temporarily disrupting the BBB

This device is a wearable ultrasound assembly designed for modulating and mapping brain tissue. This wearable ultrasound device includes a housing and ultrasound transducer that can be secured to the patient’s head and aligned to target specific regions of brain tissue. As a result, focused ultrasound can be provided at an acoustic pressure to modulate the target region. Microbubbles can then be introduced prior to or during treatment to induce mechanical stress into the brain tissue and temporarily open the blood-brain barrier. This device, therefore, offers a simplified and effective approach for using focused ultrasound for numerous neurological conditions such as Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease.

This technology has been validated in mouse models.

Applications:

• Research tool for studying brain circuitry
• Noninvasive functional brain mapping
• Ultrasonic therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders
• Validation of passive cavitation monitoring via ultrasound
• Alternative technique to using MRI
• Treatment for central nervous system (CNS) diseases
• Drug delivery to treat neurodegenerative diseases

Advantages:

• Cost-effective
• Non-invasive
• Local effect in brain modulation
• Signals are processed and displayed in real time
• Temporary disruption of the blood-brain barrier
• Focal zone penetrates deeper than other ultrasound mapping techniques

Lead Inventor:

Elisa Konofagou, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US 10,098,539)

Related Publications:

• Burgess MT, Apostolakis I, Konofagou EE. “Power cavitation-guided blood-brain barrier opening with focused ultrasound and microbubbles.” Phys Med Biol. 2018 Mar 15;63(6): 065009.

• Karakatsani MEM, Samiotaki GM, Downs ME, Ferrera VP, Konofagou EE. “Targeting effects on the volume of the focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening in nonhuman primates in vivo.” IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2017 May;64(5): 798-810.

• Samiotaki G, Karakatsani ME, Buch A, Papadopoulos S, Wu SY, Jambawalikar S, Konofagou EE. “Pharmacokinetic analysis and drug delivery efficiency of the focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening in non-human primates.” Magn Reson Imaging. 2017 Apr;37: 273-281.

• Sierra C, Acosta C, Chen C, Wu SY, Karakatsani ME, Bernal M, Konofagou EE. “Lipid microbubbles as a vehicle for targeted drug delivery using focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening.” J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2017 Apr; 37(4): 1236-1250.

• Marquet F, Teichert T, Wu SY, Tung YS, Downs M, Wang S, Chen C, Ferrera V, Konofagou EE. “Real-time, transcranial monitoring of safe blood-brain barrier opening in non-human primates.” PLoS One. 2014 Feb 5; 9(2):e84310.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU15312, CU17014

• Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu