ANDREAS FOURAS PhD

Inventions

Working at the intersection of Engineering and Healthcare

Andreas has always held a keen interest in mechanobiology, the study of physical forces in biomedical processes, which led to developments of new styles of imaging. Over many years Andreas has developed extensive expertise in the in vivo measurement of motion and flow utilising a range of modalities spanning the visible to X-ray spectra. As a Mechanical Engineer working exclusively towards solving medical problems collaborations and multidisciplinary thinking is deeply ingrained in Andreas research DNA.

Andreas has invented technology for the measurement of mechanical properties of cells that could be applied to fields as diverse as IVF and diabetes, a device for the gentle application of mechanical ventilation for use in resuscitation and ICU ventilation, and a large array of image processing algorithms as well as instruments/scanners for the capture of medical images.

Over this time, Andreas has been listed on 42 patents across ten patent families, with 13 granted, 3 accepted and 26 pending through USA, Australia, Asia and Europe.

Patents

FAMILY DESCRIPTION JURISDICTIONS, PATENT NUMBER, STATUS
1 XV Technology (Core Patent)
A new approach for the use of X-ray imaging to deliver 3D and 4D (time resolved 3D) measurement of motion and structure, based on the concepts of holography and computed tomography. This system has direct application to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems where it can deliver highly sensitive and highly accurate 3D and 4D (time resolved 3D) measures of function with significantly lower doses than traditional CT. Such a system may have applicability across the full spectrum from research using pre-clinical models, to clinical trials of respiratory medicines and full clinical use as a tool for screening, diagnosis and surveillance.		 1. Australia, 2010295229, granted
2. USA, 9,036,887, granted
3. USA, 9,025,849, granted
4. USA, 9,370,334, granted
5. NZ, 599301, granted
6. Singapore, 2012018305, granted
7. Japan, 2014-121569, granted
8. Japan, 2012-529063, granted
9. India, 3226/CHENP/2012 A, pending
10. Canada, 2,790,588, pending
11. Europe, 10816486.2, pending
12. Europe, 14159245.1, pending
2 Heart Imaging
A method to utilize lung image data to gain an increased understanding of cardiac function. Building on our XV Technology Core Patent, this patent may make available (without the requirement for additional diagnostics – and concomitant cost and/or X-ray dose) significant imaging data on cardiac function. The method uses direct imaging of the lung to measure the motion of the heart. This may allow for new insights into the behaviour of the heart and lung as intimately connected organs.		 13. Australia, 2017248470, pending
14. USA, 9,576,354, granted
3 Trapping and Analysing Cells
This patent describes a device capable of measuring stiffness properties of individual cells accurately, rapidly, and without physical contact. This device has the potential to deliver impact research into the biomechanics of cells. Commercial use of this technology is confidential.		 15. Australia, 2012245075, granted
16. Australia, 2017201561, pending
4 Low Dose Scan
This patent describes a method for significantly reducing the radiation delivered to a patient during a scan, in addition to enabling more efficient analysis by the XV Technology algorithm.		 17. Australia, 2015246630, pending
18. Australia, 2017101313, pending
19. USA, 15/300,367, pending
20. Europe, 1577984.7, pending
21. Japan, 100105924, pending
5 Pulmonary Vascular Imaging
This patent describes a method for imaging and quantifying the pulmonary vasculature. Further details are confidential at this time.		 22. Australia, 2017225895, pending
23. USA, 16/081,854, pending
24. Europe, 17758997.5, pending
25. China, (number TBA), pending
26 Japan, 2018-546611, pending
27. Singapore, 11201807501U, pending
28. Canada, 3019744
29. India, 201847033177
30. New Zealand, 746789
31. Hong Kong, 19128797.8, pending
6 Pulmonary Vascular Imaging
This patent describes a method for imaging and quantifying the pulmonary vasculature. Further details are confidential at this time.		 Applications that have been filed/are to be filed from PCT/AU2018/00008
32. Australia (to be filed from PCT)
33. USA, pending
34. Europe (to be filed from PCT)
35. China, pending
36. Japan, pending
37. Singapore, pending
38.Canada, pending
39. India (to be filed from PCT)
40. New Zealand (to be filed from PCT)
7 Novel Implementation
4Dx is currently developing a patent based on computing more accurate motion measurements. Further details are confidential at this time.		 Patent under development
8 Novel Implementation
4Dx is currently developing a patent based on a substantive improvement to the core XV Technology algorithm. Further details are confidential at this time.		 Patent under development
9 Novel Implementation
4Dx is currently developing a patent based in the space of our planned second-generation respiratory diagnostic product. Further details are confidential at this time.		 Patent under development
10 Novel Implementation
This patent relates to a novel method for assessing treatment of disease. Further details are confidential at this time.		 41. USA, 62/464,540, pending