Biologically enhanced irrigants

• US 7,955,296 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuortho Surgical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nuortho Surgical Inc.
• Inventors: Augé, Wayne K. II, Morgan, Roy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bouchelle; Laura A
• Application Number:
  US11/444,724
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19, 604/27, 604/48
• US Class Current: 604/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/02 for treating wounds, ulcers, burns, scars, keloids, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system

Abstract

Compositions, systems and methods utilizing engineered surgical irrigants providing delivery of components with therapeutic or other secondary benefits. Engineered irrigants provide targeted delivery of desired agents, including agents for propulsion of nano-devices, agents including molecular probes, gene expression agents, magnetically orientable agents, agents for discrete tissue temperature detection and tissue regeneration agents.

Claims

1. A solution for use in irrigation of surgical treatment sites during surgery, the solution comprising:

an isotonic and buffered component; and

at least one engineered irrigant component, wherein the engineered irrigant is a thermally responsive component that is useful in detecting the temperature of the surgical treatment site during surgery wherein the thermally responsive component effects a color or fluorescence change in response to a temperature change.