SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING INFRARED EMITTING COMPOSITES AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS THEREFOR

• US 20080138289A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Evident Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Evident Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: GORONKIN, Jeffrey, LIU, Wei, LANDRY, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/687,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20080138289A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3941 Photoluminescent markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0063 characterised by a special physical or galenical form, e.g. emulsions, microspheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0067 quantum dots, fluorescent nanocrystals
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0089 Particulate, powder, adsorbate, bead, sphere
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Abstract

Medical applications for an infrared emitting composite are provided. The infrared emitting composite includes an infrared emitting agent dispersed in a matrix material, where the composite emits light of a wavelength range substantially non-absorbent to animal fluid or tissue. A system and method for detecting an infrared emitting composite are also provided. Exemplary applications for an infrared emitting composite include medical devices and pharmaceutical compositions.

Claims

1. A medical composition comprising:

a light emitting composite adapted for inserting into a mammalian body, the light emitting composite comprising a matrix material comprising a light emitting agent, wherein the light emitting composite emits light of a wavelength range that is substantially non-absorbent to animal fluid or tissue.

2. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the medical composition is a medical device.

3. The medical composition of claim 2, wherein the medicate composite is an implantable medical device.

4. The medical composition of claim 3, wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of a stent, a shunt, a filter, a graft, a lead, a scaffold, a plug, a mechanical heart valve, or another type of implant.

5. The medical composition of claim 2, wherein the medical device is a catheter.

6. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the medical composition is a medical instrument.

7. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the medical composition a pharmaceutical composition.

8. The medical composition of claim 7, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is a pill, liquid, ointment, cream or vapor.

9. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the medical device emits light of a wavelength range from about 600 nm to about 1100 nm.

10. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the light emitting material is a semiconductor nanocrystal composition comprising a semiconductor nanocrystal core having an outer surface.

11. The medical composition of claim 10, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal composition comprises:

a shell of a semiconductor material formed on the outer surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal core.

12. The medical composition of claim 10, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal composition comprises:

a metal layer formed on the outer surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal core.

13. The medical composition of claim 12, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal composition comprises:

a shell of a semiconductor material overcoating the metal layer.

14. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the light emitting material is a fluorescent optical agent.

15. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the light emitting material is an inorganic phosphor.

16. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the matrix material is a polymer.

17. The medical composition of claim 16, wherein the polymer comprises a plastic, a glass, or a suitable combination thereof.

18. The medical composition of claim 1, wherein the composite is an ink, paint, a dye, or a suitable combination thereof.

19. The medical composition of claim 1, comprising:

a biocompatible material overcoating the matrix material.

20. A system, comprising:

the medical composition of claim 1;

an excitation source capable of exciting the composite; and

a detection device capable of detecting an emission from the excited composite.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the excitation source is selected from the group consisting of a white light source in optical communication with the light emitting composite;

a light emitting diode in optical communication with the light emitting composite;

a laser in optical communication with the light emitting composite; and

a chemiluminescent material in optical communication with the light emitting composite.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the detection device is a camera or a night vision scope tunable to the wavelength of the emission

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the detection device is a night vision scope tunable to the wavelength of the emission.

24. A method, comprising:

providing the medical composition of claim 1;

exciting the composite by transmitting a signal from an excitation source to the composite; and

detecting an emission from the excited composite.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the transmitted signal is a beam of light.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the emission is light of the wavelength range between about 600 nm and about 1100 nm.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

generating an audible signal upon detecting the emission.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

upon detecting the emission, triggering a second detection at the emission detection location using an alternate detecting agent.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the alternate detecting agent is a contrast material detectable by x-ray imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a suitable combination thereof.