MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLE THERAPIES

• US 20080255403A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Voegele, James W., Gill, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US11/771,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20080255403A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0052 Thermotherapy; Hyperthermia; Magnetic induction; Induction heating therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0017 Fluorescence in vivo
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0093 Nanoparticle, nanocapsule, nanobubble, nanosphere, nanobead, i.e. having a size or diameter smaller than 1 micrometer, e.g. polymeric nanoparticle

Abstract

Various compositions, methods, and devices are provided that use fluorescent nanoparticles, which can function as markers, indicators, and light sources. The fluorescent nanoparticles can be formed from a fluorophore core surrounded by a biocompatible shell, such as a silica shell. In one embodiment, the fluorescent nanoparticles can be delivered to tissue to mark the tissue, enable identification and location of the tissue, and/or illuminate an area surrounding the tissue. In another embodiment, the fluorescent nanoparticles can be used on a device or implant to locate the device or implant in the body, indicate an orientation of the device or implant, and/or illuminate an area surrounding the device or implant. The fluorescent nanoparticles can also be used to provide a therapeutic effect.

Claims

1. A medical composition, comprising:

a fluorescent nanoparticle having a core containing at least one fluorescent dye, a biocompatible shell surrounding the core, and a magnetic material located in at least one of the core and the shell.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent dye has a wavelength in the range of about 600 nm to 1350 nm.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of Fe(OH)₂, Fe₂O₃, and Fe₃O₄ combinations thereof.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is contained within the core.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is coated onto the shell.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a silica shell.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the core includes at least one dye adapted to emit light at a first frequency, and at least one dye adapted to emit light at a second frequency that differs from the first frequency.

8. A method for treating tissue, comprising:

delivering at least one biocompatible fluorescent nanoparticle to tissue; and

delivering an alternating current to the tissue to cause a magnetic material in the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to deliver heat to the tissue.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, prior to delivering alternating current, delivering energy to the tissue to locate the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is located by collecting light fluoresced from the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle, and viewing the collected light on an image display apparatus.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the heat is effective to cauterize the tissue.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the fluorescent nanoparticle is formed from a fluorescent core and a biocompatible shell surrounding the fluorescent core.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is delivered in a carrier solution.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is injected into the tissue.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is delivered into the tissue using an intravenous catheter.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to tissue comprises coating a solution containing at least one fluorescent nanoparticle onto a tissue surface.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to tissue comprises applying the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle onto a tissue surface using an applicator.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one fluorescent nano particle includes visible and non-visible dyes therein, and wherein the method further includes locating the tissue by viewing light emitted from the visible dyes, and delivering energy to the tissue to view the non-visible dyes.