Summary UCLA researchers have developed a novel planar balloon catheter that reliably separates and protects organs during thermal ablation procedures. By creating a sheet-like thermal barrier, the device mitigates unintended injury to nearby healthy tissues—particularly the stomach and bowel—thereby enabling safer and more effective treatment of tumors previously considered too high-risk for ablation. Unmet Need Thermal ablation has become a cornerstone of minimally invasive oncology, offering curative or palliative treatment for patients ineligible for surgery. However, a persistent clinical challenge is collateral thermal injury to adjacent organs, especially when tumors are located near vulnerable structures. • Current workaround—fluid infusion: Sterile fluid injection to create a buffer zone is inconsistent, often pooling unevenly or failing against natural organ pressures. It can also introduce complications such as fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, or pulmonary edema. • Repurposed balloon catheters: Conventional angioplasty balloons expand spherically and were never designed for organ protection. Their shape cannot achieve the broad, planar separation needed in the abdomen, leaving patients at risk of perforation and tissue damage. This lack of reliable protection not only compromises safety but also excludes a large patient population from potentially life-saving ablation therapies. Innovation The UCLA device is the first balloon catheter purpose-built for organ protection in ablation. • Planar expansion: The balloon inflates into a sheet-like structure rather than a round shape, creating effective, broad coverage between the ablation zone and adjacent organs. • Heat-resistant design: Constructed from temperature-tolerant medical-grade materials, it withstands the high thermal loads of radiofrequency and microwave ablation without degrading. • Clinical integration: The catheter can be deployed through standard interventional sheaths and positioned under imaging guidance, requiring no change to existing workflows. This design transforms ablation from a location-limited therapy to one that can be safely applied to a wider patient population, expanding clinical and commercial potential. Applications • Interventional oncology: Safer ablation of abdominal tumors (liver, kidney, pancreas) adjacent to bowel, stomach, or diaphragm. • Broader tumor sites: Applicable to thyroid, prostate, and lung tumors where tissue separation is critical. • Device synergy: Enhances safety when used with non-cooled applicators that risk thermal spread. • Eligibility expansion: Makes minimally invasive ablation accessible to patients currently excluded due to tumor proximity to critical structures. Competitive Advantages • Consistent and controlled separation – overcomes the unpredictability of fluid infusion. • Purpose-built planar design – superior to rounded balloons repurposed from vascular interventions. • Thermal durability – maintains protective integrity at high ablation temperatures. • Workflow compatibility – easily integrates with existing interventional oncology tools. • Improved safety profile – reduces risk of bowel or stomach perforation, a major barrier to adoption. • Market expansion – enables ablation in previously inoperable or high-risk patient populations. Development Status Prototype conceptualization and schematic design complete. Device ready for preclinical testing and strategic partnerships. Representative References • Knuttinen MG, et al. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2014. • Kim YS, et al. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006. Reference UCLA Case No. 2024-210 Lead Inventor: David S. Lu, MD – Department of Radiological Sciences