Is there a workaround to patent a therapeutic device?

[iper]

Hello

I read that methods of treatments cannot be patented.

Is there a way to work around this?

For example, is it possible to patent the use of x-rays to kill cells if only the use of x-rays to image tissues was patented?

Basically the x-ray device is the same but you want to patent the use of that device to kill cells by simply increasing the intensity of the x-rays. I assume you cannot claim that the x-ray machine will cure cancer but cannot you patent the killing of cells with an existing device simply by altering its mode of function (i.e. increase the x-ray intensity)?

Thanks!

[Brad]

Yes that could be possible to patent a method or process provided there is a machine or device involved.   In my experience these are challenging patents to get approved though.