Formaldehyde-free tissue preservative compositions

• US 5,679,333 A
• Filed: 10/25/1996
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian William Dunphy
• Original Assignee: Brian William Dunphy
• Inventors: Dunphy, Brian William
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shelborne, Kathryne E.
• Application Number:
  US08/738,048
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 424/75, 422/5, 422/28, 422/29, 422/36
• US Class Current: 424/75
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/00 Preservation of bodies of humans or animals, or parts thereof

Abstract

Formaldehyde-free tissue preservative compositions are useful in the fields of mortuary science and histology. The compositions disinfect and preserve animal (including human) tissues and remains, yet avoid the use of formaldehyde and formalin--potentially hazardous materials that are undergoing increasing regulatory review. A trio of compositions for use in embalming human bodies is disclosed, as is a composition for use in histological preservation.

Claims

1. A formaldehyde-free tissue preservative comprising an aqueous solution of ethanol, ethanedial, a polymer and a polar aprotic solvent.

2. The tissue preservative according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 7,000 to about 9,000.

3. The tissue preservative according to claim 1, wherein said polar aprotic solvent is DMSO.

4. The tissue preservative according to claim 1, further comprising a humectant.

5. The tissue preservative according to claim 4, wherein said humectant is 1,2-ethanediol.

6. The tissue preservative according to claim 1, further comprising an antimicrobial agent.

7. The tissue preservative according to claim 6, wherein said antimicrobial agent is 1-hexadecylpyridinium chloride.

8. The tissue preservative according to claim 1, further comprising a chelating agent.

9. The tissue preservative according to claim 8, wherein said chelating agent is EDTA or a salt thereof.

10. A formaldehyde-free tissue preservative composition, comprising an aqueous solution containing ethanol, ethanedial, a humectant, polyethylene glycol, an acid, a polar aprotic solvent and a chelating agent.

11. The tissue preservative according to claim 10, wherein the humectant is 1,2-ethanediol.

12. The tissue preservative according to claim 10, wherein the chelating agent is EDTA or a salt thereof.

13. The tissue preservative according to claim 10, wherein the acid is ethanoic acid.

14. A method of embalming a human body, comprising administering into the body a formaldehyde-free tissue preservative comprising an aqueous solution of ethanol, ethanedial, a polymer and a polar aprotic solvent.

15. A method of embalming a human body, comprising administering into the body a formaldehyde-free tissue preservative composition comprising an aqueous solution containing ethanol, ethanedial, a humectant, polyethylene glycol, an acid, a polar aprotic solvent and a chelating agent.

16. A method of embalming a human body, comprising:

(a) administering into the circulatory system of the body a formaldehyde-free pre-injection composition comprising an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, a proteolytic enzyme, an anti-microbial agent, a polar aprotic solvent and ethanedial; and

(b) administering into the circulatory system of the body a tissue preservative composition comprising an aqueous solution of ethanol, ethanedial, a polymer and a polar aprotic solvent.

17. The method of embalming a human body according to claim 16, further comprising administering into the peritoneal and/or thoracic cavity of the body a formaldehyde-free body cavity preservation composition comprising an aqueous solution of ethanol, an acid, a polar aprotic solvent, an antimicrobial agent effective against spore-forming bacteria and ethanedial.

18. The method of embalming a human body according to claim 16, wherein said steps (a) and (b) are carried out sequentially.

19. The method of embalming a human body according to claim 16, wherein said steps (a) and (b) are carried out simultaneously.

20. The method of embalming a human body according to claim 16, wherein said tissue preservative composition comprises an aqueous solution containing ethanol, ethanedial, a humectant, polyethylene glycol, an acid, a polar aprotic solvent and a chelating agent.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said humectant is 1,2-ethanediol, said polar aprotic solvent is DMSO and said chelating agent is EDTA or a salt thereof.