NANOPARTICLE TREATED MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20080255425A1
• 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., Dlugos, Daniel F., Murray, Michael A., Gill, Robert P., Shurtleff, Carl I.
• Application Number:
  US11/771,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20080255425A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• 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 device, comprising:

a biocompatible body adapted to be at least partially disposed within a patient'"'"'s body, the body having at least one fluorescent nanoparticle adapted to fluoresce when energy is delivered thereto.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is adapted to illuminate an area surrounding the body when energy is delivered thereto.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is adapted to indicate an orientation of the body when energy is delivered thereto.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is embedded in the body.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is coated on the body.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is disposed within a cavity formed in the body.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end adapted to remain outside of a patient'"'"'s body and a distal end adapted to be disposed within a patient'"'"'s body.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is located on the distal end of the elongate shaft.

9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible body comprises an implant containing the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible body comprises a suture.

11. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible body is absorbable.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the elongate shaft includes an inner lumen extending therethrough and defining a working channel.

13. A medical device, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal end adapted to remain outside of a patient'"'"'s body and a distal end adapted to be disposed within a patient'"'"'s body; and

at least one fluorescent nanoparticle associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to fluoresce when energy is delivered thereto.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is adapted to illuminate an area surrounding the elongate shaft when energy is delivered thereto.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is adapted to indicate an orientation of the elongate shaft when energy is delivered thereto.

16. A surgical method, comprising:

positioning a device in a patient'"'"'s body, the device containing at least one fluorescent nanoparticle; and

delivering energy to the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to cause the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to fluoresce.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one nanoparticle illuminates an area surrounding the device when energy is delivered thereto.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising viewing the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle after energy is delivered thereto to locate the device.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising viewing the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle after energy is delivered thereto to determine an orientation of the device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises an implant.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, when energy is delivered to the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle, the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle indicates a location of a port on the implant.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein, when energy is delivered to the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle, the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle indicates a size of the implant.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end positioned in a body lumen of the patient while a proximal end of the elongate shaft remains external to the patient.