Permanent, removable tissue markings
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation
InventorsRichard R. Anderson, Susanna K. Mlynarczyk, Craig A. Drill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides microparticles that create permanent tissue markings, such as tattoos, designed in advance for change and/or removal on demand, as well as methods for implanting the microparticles in tissue and changing and/or removing the resulting markings. Colored microparticles are constructed with specific electromagnetic absorption and/or structural properties that facilitate changing and/or removing tissue markings made using the microparticles by applying specific energy (such as electromagnetic radiation from a laser or flash-lamp) to the tissue marking site.
Claims47
A method of applying to a tissue a detectable marking that can be changed or removed, or both, on demand, the method comprising:
- obtaining colored microparticles each comprising a chromophore and a discrete absorotion component that alters the microparticle when exposed to a specific energy;
- and
- implanting into the tissue a sufficient number of the colored microparticles to form a detectable tissue marking, wherein the tissue marking is permanent until the specific energy is applied to alter a sufficient number of the microparticles to change or remove, or both, the detectable marking.
A methode of changing or removing, or both, a detectable marking created by implanting into tissue a sufficient number of colored microparticles each comprising a chromophore and a discrete absorption component that alters the microparticle when exposed to a specific energy, the methode comprising:
- exposing the detectable marking to the specific energy for a time sufficient to alter a sufficient number of the microparticles, thereby changing or removing, or both, the detectable tissue marking.
A method of applying a marking to tissue, the method comprising:
- selecting microparticles comprising a chromophore encapsulated by a biologically inert coating, the chromophore being dispersible within the tissue, wherein the chromophore has an average particle size of less than about 50 nm;
- and
- implanting into the tissue a sufficient quantity of the microparticles to form a visually detectable marking in the tissue, the chromophore being isolated from the tissue by the coating.
A method of applying to a tissue a detectable marking that can be changed or removed, or both, on demand, the method comprising:
- obtaining colored microparticles, each microparticle comprising a plurality of sub-microparticles encapsulated within an indipersible, biologically inert first coating, each sub-microparticle comprising:
- (i) a second coating, and
- (ii) a core enveloped within the second coating, the core comprising a chromophore which is detectable through the first and second coatings;
- and
- implanting into the tissue a sufficient number of the colored microparticles to form a detectable tissue marking, wherein the tissue marking is permanent until a specific energy is applied to alter the microparticles to change or remove, or both, the detectable marking.
A method of changing or removing, or both, a detectable marking created by implanting into tissue a sufficient number of colored microparticles, each microparticle comprising a plurality of sub-microparticles encapsulated within an indispersible, biologically inert first coating, each sub-microparticle comprising:
- (i) a second coating, and
- (ii) a core enveloped within the second coating, the core comprising a chromophore which is detectable through the first and second coatings, the method comprising:
- exposing the detectable marking to a specific energy for a time sufficient to alter a sufficient number of the microparticles, thereby changing or removing, or both, the detectable tissue marking.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.