Partial skull replacements capable of monitoring in real time and delivering substances into brain tissue, and uses thereof

• US 10,639,397 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2016
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Institute for Basic Science, SungKyunKwan University's Research & Business Foundation (SungKyunKwan University)
• Original Assignee: SungKyunKwan University's Research & Business Foundation (SungKyunKwan University)
• Inventors: Kim, Seong-Gi, Suh, Minah, Heo, Chaejeong, Baac, Hyoung Won
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernandez, Katherine L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kellogg, Michael S
• Application Number:
  US15/068,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20160263277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0068 Confocal scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6864 Burr holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6868 Brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0045 the fluorescent agent being a peptide or protein used for imaging or diagnosis in vivo
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/226 Solutes, emulsions, suspensions, dispersions, semi-solid forms, e.g. hydrogels
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/18 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0687 Skull, cranium
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 83/04 Polysiloxanes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a method of monitoring biological tissues within a skull using the partial skull replacement. The method of monitoring using the partial skull replacement of the present invention has a minimal influence on intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid flow as compared to a conventional cranial window technique using glass, and, by way of visualizing biological tissues within a skull with enhanced clarity, is expected to be usefully employed as a method of monitoring biological tissues within the skull.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a window in a skull, the method consisting of:

removing the skull in a target site;

disposing a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in an area from which the skull was removed; and

sealing a connection between the skull and the partial skull replacement,

wherein the method is characterized by minimalizing influence of a flow of cerebrospinal fluid and an intracranial pressure in the skull.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target site includes cerebral blood vessels or brain cells.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealing comprises applying a dental resin between the skull and the partial skull replacement.

4. A method of monitoring biological tissues within a skull, the method consisting of:

removing the skull in an area to be monitored;

disposing a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in the area from which the skull was removed;

sealing a connection between the skull and the partial skull replacement; and

monitoring the biological tissues within the skull through the disposed partial skull replacement,

wherein the method is characterized by minimalizing influence of a flow of cerebrospinal fluid and an intracranial pressure in the skull.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring is carried out using a laser or ultrasound.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the sealing comprises applying a dental resin between the skull and the partial skull replacement.

7. A method of injecting an agent into a skull, the method consisting of:

removing the skull in an area of injection;

disposing a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in an area from which the skull was removed;

sealing a connection between the skull and the partial skull replacement;

penetrating the partial skull replacement with an injection tool; and

injecting the agent into the skull via the injection tool that has penetrated the partial skull replacement,

wherein the method is characterized by minimalizing influence of a flow of cerebrospinal fluid and an intracranial pressure in the skull.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the agent is a lesion inducer, a therapeutic agent, a treatment promoter, a diagnostic agent, or an imaging agent.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the injection tool is a pipette or a needle.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the sealing comprises applying a dental resin between the skull and the partial skull replacement.