# US 5,795,286 A · Radioisotope impregnated sheet of biocompatible material for preventing scar tissue formation

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- Number: US 5,795,286 A
- Document ID: US5795286A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/698,577
- Filed: 1996-08-15
- Granted: 1998-08-18
- Earliest claimed: 1996-08-15
- Assignees: Cathco, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert E. Fischell; David R. Fischell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5795286A

## CPC

- A61N 5/1029: {Radioactive dressings}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

This invention is a radioisotope impregnated material sheet or mesh designed to be placed between internal body tissues to prevent the formation of post-operative adhesions, which adhesions are really scar tissue formation. This mesh or gauze into which the isotope is placed may be either a permanent implant or it may be biodegradable. By impregnating an existing product such as the Johnson & Johnson SURGICEL.TM. absorbable hemostat gauze-like sheet with a beta emitting radioisotope such as phosphorous-32 with has a relatively short effective range of approximately 4 mm, the biodegradable mesh would act as a barrier to cell proliferation and hence be a deterrent to the formation of adhesions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A biodegradable sheet of material adapted for implantation between tissues of a human body, at least part of said sheet of material including a radioisotope, said radioisotope being placed within a soluble structure which is said biodegradable sheet of material so that the radioisotope becomes dispersed into the human body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radioisotope is embedded within the sheet of material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radioisotope is coated onto the sheet of material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radioisotope is predominantly a beta emitter.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the beta emitter is phosphorous-32.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is in the form of a mesh.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radioisotope is embedded within the biodegradable material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radioisotope is coated onto the biodegradable material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radioisotope is predominantly a beta emitter.

### Claim 10

A method for the prevention of scar tissue formation and adhesions associated with a surgical procedure, the method comprising the following steps:
a) place a radioisotope that is free from encapsulation into a non-soluble structure into a biodegradable sheet of material: and
b) place the sheet of material containing the radioisotope into a human body between tissues that are separated by a surgical incision.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 including the step of closing the surgical incision after the sheet of material is placed between the separated tissues.

### Claim 12

A biodegradable material adapted for implantation between tissues of a human body, at least part of said biodegradable material including a radioisotope, said biodegradable material and said radioisotope each being adapted to be absorbed into the human body.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the beta emitter is phosphorous-32.