Nanoco, LLC (New York, NY) scientists have developed a composition for microscopic devices utilizable in implantable medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Each microscopic device includes a nanostructure provided with a ligand for effectively coupling the nanostructure to a predetermined chemical or molecular site. A medical method in part comprises inserting the medical devices into a patient, attaching the nanostructures via the respective ligands to instances of a predetermined type of target structure inside the patient, and thereafter activating the nanostructures to perform a preselected medical diagnostic or therapeutic function, say inventors Robert C Stirbl, Malcolm L Snead, Jimmy Xu, Ellen S Vitetta and Peter J Wilk in U.S. Patent 7,668,603,
The nanostructures are functionalized in the sense of being provided with coupling ligands for enabling the targeting of the nanostructures to predefined sites.
In brief, the nanostructures are specifically directed to the insertion or implantation or targeting into patients of microscopic or submicroscopic devices at predetermined target sites. The microscopic devices are manufactured items each at least partially inorganic in composition. The insertion or implantation may be effectuated through open surgery, minimally invasive techniques, injection into the vasculature, or in some cases, through ingestion by the patient.
It is contemplated that the medical devices are in an inactive state prior to insertion in the patient and during transport through the patient to a target site in the patient. This transport may be accomplished through the natural functions of the body, for instance, through the individual patient's vascular system, endocrine system, digestive tract, and/or lymphatic system, etc. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a more direct conveyance of the medical devices to their respective target sites. For instance, the devices may be deployed in the patient through a catheterization process (e.g., vascular), an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure, hypodermic injection, etc.
The inventors contemplate that the microscopic or submicroscopic medical devices become effectively attached to cellular or molecular target structures at the respective target sites. These target structures may take the form of protein segments embedded, for instance, in cellular or viral membranes. The targets may be viral antigens expressed in infected cells of a host organism. In any case, the proteins are markers for the particular kind of target cell, while effective attachment is preferably effectuated via ligands in the form of antibodies or cognate proteins (polypeptides). These ligands are provided as connector elements on the microscopic devices during the manufacturing process.
The microscopic medical devices take the form of nanostructures, that is, fabricated elements having a nanometer to micrometer size. A medical device such as a battery may comprise a single nanostructure. Alternatively, a microscopic medical device may comprise several nanostructures which are separately inserted into the patient and which self-assemble to form a more complex device inside the patient, for instance, at a target site. Self-assembly is effectuated by providing members of a connecting pair of nanostructures with respective cooperating or interlocking ligands. The nanostructures thus seek each other out and self-attach in the same manner as one or more nanostructures attach to a target molecule at a target cellular site.
Nanoco Technologies Ltd
In brief, the nanostructures are specifically directed to the insertion or implantation or targeting into patients of microscopic or submicroscopic devices at predetermined target sites. The microscopic devices are manufactured items each at least partially inorganic in composition. The insertion or implantation may be effectuated through open surgery, minimally invasive techniques, injection into the vasculature, or in some cases, through ingestion by the patient.
It is contemplated that the medical devices are in an inactive state prior to insertion in the patient and during transport through the patient to a target site in the patient. This transport may be accomplished through the natural functions of the body, for instance, through the individual patient's vascular system, endocrine system, digestive tract, and/or lymphatic system, etc. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a more direct conveyance of the medical devices to their respective target sites. For instance, the devices may be deployed in the patient through a catheterization process (e.g., vascular), an endoscopic or laparoscopic procedure, hypodermic injection, etc.
The inventors contemplate that the microscopic or submicroscopic medical devices become effectively attached to cellular or molecular target structures at the respective target sites. These target structures may take the form of protein segments embedded, for instance, in cellular or viral membranes. The targets may be viral antigens expressed in infected cells of a host organism. In any case, the proteins are markers for the particular kind of target cell, while effective attachment is preferably effectuated via ligands in the form of antibodies or cognate proteins (polypeptides). These ligands are provided as connector elements on the microscopic devices during the manufacturing process.
The microscopic medical devices take the form of nanostructures, that is, fabricated elements having a nanometer to micrometer size. A medical device such as a battery may comprise a single nanostructure. Alternatively, a microscopic medical device may comprise several nanostructures which are separately inserted into the patient and which self-assemble to form a more complex device inside the patient, for instance, at a target site. Self-assembly is effectuated by providing members of a connecting pair of nanostructures with respective cooperating or interlocking ligands. The nanostructures thus seek each other out and self-attach in the same manner as one or more nanostructures attach to a target molecule at a target cellular site.
Nanoco Technologies Ltd
Global Headquarters
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Manchester, M13 9NT
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Manchester, M13 9NT
UK
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