BIOCOMPATIBLE NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS

• US 20080255537A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Voegele, James W., Gill, Robert P., Shurtleff, Carl J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,239,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• 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 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, and a biocompatible shell surrounding the core.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the first frequency is within a visible wavelength, and the second frequency is within a non-visible wavelength.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the first frequency is in the range of about 600 nm to 1350 nm, and the second frequency is in the range of about 400 nm to 700 nm.

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

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent nanoparticle further includes a magnetic material.

6. A surgical method, comprising:

delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to tissue;

delivering visible light to the tissue to cause a first dye contained within the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to emit visible light; and

delivering invisible light to the tissue to cause a second dye contained within the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to emit invisible light.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising initially locating the tissue using the visible light, and precisely locating the tissue using the invisible light.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein initially locating the tissue using the visible light comprises delivering visible light to at least one fluorescent nanoparticle located at or adjacent to a surface of the tissue, and precisely locating the tissue using the invisible light comprises delivering the invisible light to at least one fluorescent nanoparticle located deep within the tissue.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the fluorescent nanoparticle is formed from a fluorescent core and a biocompatible shell surrounding the fluorescent core.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is delivered in a carrier solution.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is injected into the tissue.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is delivered into the tissue using an intravenous catheter.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to tissue comprises delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle into a kidney, and wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle has a property such that the kidney filters the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle into the ureter.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle to tissue comprises delivering at least one fluorescent nanoparticle into a liver, and wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle has a property such that the liver filters the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle into the colon.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle is applied to tissue to be removed.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising locating the tissue using the visible light, and using the invisible light to remove the tissue containing the at least one fluorescent nanoparticle.