A Research Dream Realized
When I started my Master's research at ICube Laboratory (University of Strasbourg) in 2022, I was tackling a fundamental challenge in neuromedicine: how do you safely deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier? The BBB is a critical protective membrane, but it also blocks ~99% of large-molecule therapeutics from reaching brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and other neurological conditions.
The answer our team developed: a robot-assisted focused ultrasound system capable of temporarily, safely, and reversibly opening the BBB at precise target locations. It sounds like science fiction, but the physics is solid, and the clinical need is urgent.
Fast-forward to July 2026, and I'm thrilled to announce that our work has been patented (EP4445859A1) and exclusively licensed to TheraSonic, a CEA Neurospin spin-off company. This isn't just an academic milestone—it's the beginning of a real therapeutic system that will reach patients.
The Research Behind the Technology
The technical approach combined three key innovations:
1. Robotic Trajectory Planning
We developed optimization-based algorithms to compute smooth, collision-free paths for robot end-effectors that position ultrasound transducers at precise angles. This ensures optimal acoustic coupling while minimizing off-target exposure and thermal side effects.
2. Real-Time Control & Safety
Building on ROS, we created closed-loop control pipelines that:
- Adjust ultrasound power and frequency in real time
- Monitor B-mode and Doppler ultrasound imaging for feedback
- Automatically shut down upon detecting anomalies
3. Preclinical Validation
Rigorous testing in ex-vivo and in-vivo models confirmed BBB opening and successful nanoparticle extravasation, paving the way for clinical translation.
From Research Lab to Commercial Reality
The path from thesis to license involved:
- 2022–2023: Research design, experimental validation, technical writing
- 2023: Patent application filing (coordinated with SATT Conectus and CEA)
- 2024: Patent awarded (EP4445859A1)
- 2026: Exclusive technology license to TheraSonic
This kind of tech transfer requires more than just good science—it requires partnerships, regulatory foresight, and a startup team crazy enough to believe in the vision. TheraSonic's co-founders and the CEA team exemplify this.
What Happens Next?
As an Engineering Consultant at TheraSonic, I remain actively involved. The company is now:
- Finalizing regulatory compliance for the first prototype
- Planning toward clinical trials (~2028 timeline)
- Targeting market launch around 2030
- Raising capital via crowdequity to accelerate development
The focused ultrasound itself is not new (decades of research), but the combination with precision robotics and machine learning-based trajectory planning opens a new clinical frontier.
Gratitude & Acknowledgments
This achievement is the fruit of 15 years of collaborative research across CEA/NeuroSpin, BioMaps, and ICube. Special thanks to:
- Prof. Adriana Tapus (my PhD advisor, continuing to support)
- Dr. Benoit Larrat & Dr. Jonathan Vappou (CEA pioneers in focused ultrasound)
- Prof. Florent Nageotte (ICube robotics group)
- The CEA Investissement, ANR, Bpifrance, and regional partners who funded the groundwork
- And most importantly, SATT Conectus for shepherding the tech transfer with excellence
What This Means
For a researcher, this is validation that your work matters beyond the conference room. For patients with Parkinson's, Huntington's, ALS, Alzheimer's, and brain tumors, it's hope—hope that in a few years, a small robot might unlock a path to treatment that was previously impossible.
If you're interested in the technical details, check out our peer-reviewed publications on controlled acoustic field modeling (CRAS 2023) and ultrasound safety/efficacy (ISTU 2023) linked on the Publications page. Or visit therasonic.fr to learn more about the company.
Related:
- See the Therasonic BBB project for full technical details
- Publications: CRAS 2023, ISTU 2023 on the Publications page