Topical application of nerve labeling dyes for image-guided surgery

A method of imaging myelin basic protein in an open or minimally invasive surgical field by topical administration of a pharmaceutical agent comprising the steps of:

• contacting the surgical field with a pharmaceutical agent, said agent comprising a compound of Formula I or a salt thereof, wherein Formula I is:
• wherein R1 is an alkyl group, R2 is an electron donating group and R3 is an electron withdrawing group;
• and
• an aqueous pharmaceutical carrier comprising, based on volume:
• 10-30% PEG-300 and 5-20% polyvinyl alcohol;
• detecting the agent by applying a light source tuned to the spectral excitation characteristics of the agent;
• and observing a subject through an optical filter tuned to the spectral emission characteristics of the agent.

A kit for providing a topical administered pharmaceutical agent comprising:

• a compound of Formula I or a salt thereof, wherein Formula I is:
• wherein R1 is an alkyl group, R2 is an electron donating group and R3 is an electron withdrawing group;
• an aqueous pharmaceutical carrier comprising, based on volume:
• 1-30% PEG-300, 1-20% propylene glycol, 1-10% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 0-10% Laurocapram;
• and
• a co-solvent, surfactant, buffer solution, stabilizer, preservative, or any combination thereof.