U.S. patent application number 15/505042 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for injectable slurries and methods of manufacturing and using the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is The General Hospital Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard Rox Anderson, William A. Farinelli, Lilit Garibyan, Emilia Javorsky.
Application Number | 20170274011 15/505042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55400611 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170274011 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garibyan; Lilit ; et
al. |
September 28, 2017 |
INJECTABLE SLURRIES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USING THE
SAME
Abstract
One aspect of the invention provides a slurry comprising: a
plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional
dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a biocompatible surfactant.
Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including: a
plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional
dimension less than about 1.5 mm; a biocompatible surfactant; and a
foam comprising a plurality of gas bubbles. Another aspect of the
invention provides a slurry including: a plurality of sterile ice
particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than
about 1.5 mm; and a biocompatible excipient. Another aspect of the
invention provides a slurry including: a plurality of sterile ice
particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than
about 1.5 mm; and a lipolytic agent.
Inventors: |
Garibyan; Lilit; (Brookline,
MA) ; Anderson; Richard Rox; (Boston, MA) ;
Farinelli; William A.; (Danvers, MA) ; Javorsky;
Emilia; (Watertown, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The General Hospital Corporation |
Boston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55400611 |
Appl. No.: |
15/505042 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
August 27, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US15/47301 |
371 Date: |
February 17, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62042979 |
Aug 28, 2014 |
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62121472 |
Feb 26, 2015 |
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62121329 |
Feb 26, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 17/04 20180101;
A61K 47/26 20130101; A61K 47/10 20130101; A61K 31/445 20130101;
A61P 25/08 20180101; A61K 31/167 20130101; A61K 31/045 20130101;
A61K 47/28 20130101; A61P 23/02 20180101; A61K 33/00 20130101; A61P
17/02 20180101; A61P 35/00 20180101; A61P 13/02 20180101; A61P
25/04 20180101; A61K 31/718 20130101; A61K 9/0024 20130101; A61K
9/0019 20130101; A61P 37/08 20180101; A61K 47/18 20130101; A61P
19/02 20180101; A61K 31/137 20130101; A61K 31/765 20130101; A61P
25/02 20180101; A61K 45/06 20130101; A61K 47/02 20130101; A61K
31/7004 20130101; A61P 17/00 20180101; A61K 31/245 20130101; A61P
17/08 20180101; A61P 25/00 20180101; A61K 31/047 20130101; A61P
17/06 20180101; A61K 33/00 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
31/7004 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 31/718 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 31/047 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
31/765 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 31/137 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 31/045 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 33/00 20060101
A61K033/00; A61K 47/10 20060101 A61K047/10; A61K 47/18 20060101
A61K047/18; A61K 47/28 20060101 A61K047/28; A61K 31/137 20060101
A61K031/137; A61K 31/045 20060101 A61K031/045; A61K 31/167 20060101
A61K031/167; A61K 31/445 20060101 A61K031/445; A61K 31/245 20060101
A61K031/245; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61K 45/06 20060101
A61K045/06 |
Claims
1. A slurry comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles having
a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a
biocompatible surfactant.
2. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sterile ice
particles have a largest cross-sectional dimension less than a
value selected from the group consisting of: about 1.25 mm, about 1
mm, about 0.9 mm, about 0.8 mm, about 0.7 mm, about 0.6 mm, about
0.5 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.2 mm, and about 0.1
mm.
3. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible surfactant is
one or more selected from the group consisting of: a solvent, a
detergent, a wetting agent, an emulsifier, a foaming agent, and a
dispersant.
4. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible surfactant is
one or more selected from the group consisting of: anionic,
cationic, amphoteric, and nonionic.
5. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible surfactant is
glycerol.
6. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible surfactant is
urea.
7. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ice particles
constitute between about 0.1% and about 75% of the slurry by
weight.
8. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ice particles
constitute a percentage by weight selected from the group
consisting of: between about 0.1% and 1%, between about 1% and 10%,
between about 10% and about 20%, between about 20% and about 30%,
between about 30% and about 40%, between about 40% and about 50%,
between about 50% and about 60%, between about 60% and about 70%,
and greater than about 50%.
9. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ice particles
constitute between about 0.1% and about 50% of the slurry by
weight.
10. The slurry of claim 1, further comprising: a therapeutic
compound.
11. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic compound is
selected from the group consisting of: an anesthetic and an
analgesic.
12. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic compound is a
water-soluble anesthetic.
13. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic compound is
selected from the group consisting of: prilocaine, bupivacaine,
prilocaine, tetracaine, procaine, mepivicaine, etidocaine,
lidocaine, QX-314, and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAID).
14. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic compound is a
vasoconstrictor.
15. The slurry of claim 14, wherein the vasoconstrictor is selected
from the group consisting of: epinephrine, norepinephrine, a
selective adrenergic agonist, a nonselective adrenergic agonist,
and a corticosteroid.
16. The slurry of claim 1, further comprising: one or more selected
from the group consisting of: microbubbles, nanobubbles, and
biodegradable solids.
17. The slurry of claim 1, further comprising: a toxin.
18. The slurry of claim 17, wherein the toxin is ethanol.
19. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the slurry is hypertonic.
20. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the slurry is hypotonic.
21. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
22. The slurry of claim 1, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature of about +5.degree. C. or lower.
23. A slurry comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles
having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm;
a biocompatible surfactant; and a foam comprising a plurality of
gas bubbles.
24. The slurry of claim 23, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
25. A slurry comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles
having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm;
and a biocompatible excipient.
26. The slurry of claim 25, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
27. A slurry comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles
having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm;
and a lipolytic agent.
28. The slurry of claim 27, wherein the lipolytic agent is a
detergent.
29. The slurry of claim 28, wherein the detergent is
deoxycholate.
30. The slurry of claim 27, wherein the lipolytic agent is an
alcohol.
31. The slurry of claim 27, wherein the lipolytic agent is an
organic solvent.
32. The slurry of claim 27, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
33. A method of treating a subject, the method comprising:
injecting a slurry comprising a plurality of sterile ice particles
having a largest cross-sectional dimension less that about 1.5 mm
and a biocompatible surfactant into a treatment region of the
subject.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the treatment region is
selected from the group consisting of: proximate to a nerve,
proximate to subcutaneous adipose tissue, proximate to breast
tissue, proximate to visceral fat, fatty tissue proximate to the
pharynx, fatty tissue proximate to the palate, fatty tissue
proximate to the tongue, proximate to a spinal cord lipoma,
proximate to a lipomyelomeningocele, proximate to visceral fat,
proximate to lipomastia, proximate to a tumor, proximate to cardiac
tissue, proximate to pericardial fat, and proximate to epicardial
fat.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the treatment region comprises
one or more tissues selected from the group consisting of:
connective, epithelial, neural, joint, cardiac, adipose, hepatic,
renal, vascular, cutaneous, and muscle.
36. The method of claim 33, further comprising: measuring a
temperature of the slurry prior to injection.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry is injected via
gravity flow.
38. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry is injected via
pressure injection.
39. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry is injected through
one or more selected from the group consisting of: a syringe, a
cannula, a catheter, and tubing.
40. The method of claim 33, further comprising: pre-cooling the
treatment region prior to the injecting step.
41. The method of claim 33, further comprising: applying energy
adjacent to the target tissue.
42. The method of claim 33, further comprising: applying suction to
the treatment region to remove melted slurry.
43. The method of claim 33, wherein the injecting step comprises
injecting a sufficient volume of the slurry to cause tumescent
swelling of the treatment region.
44. The method of claim 33, wherein the injecting step is repeated
a plurality of times.
45. The method of claim 33, further comprising: calculating a
desired amount of slurry to be injected based on a desired amount
of disruption to the treatment region.
46. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry cools the treatment
region adjacent to an injection site at a rate greater in magnitude
than about -2.degree. C. per minute.
47. The method of claim 33, wherein the method thickens septa.
48. The method of claim 33, further comprising: mixing the slurry
with relatively warmer liquid prior to the injecting step.
49. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
50. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry is hypotonic
relative to the treatment region.
51. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry is isotonic relative
to the treatment region.
52. The method of claim 33, wherein the slurry is hypertonic
relative to the treatment region.
53. A method of treating a subject, the method comprising:
injecting the slurry comprising a plurality of sterile ice
particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less that
about 1.5 mm and a biocompatible surfactant having a temperature
and cooling capacity sufficient to non-selectively disrupt tissue
into a treatment region of the subject.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the treatment region is
selected from the group consisting of: a prostate, a kidney, a
heart, and a fibroadenoma.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
56. The method of claim 53, wherein the slurry is hypotonic
relative to the treatment region.
57. The method of claim 53, wherein the slurry is isotonic relative
to the treatment region.
58. The method of claim 53, wherein the slurry is hypertonic
relative to the treatment region.
59. A method of treating a subject, the method comprising:
injecting a slurry into a treatment region of the subject selected
from the group consisting of: proximate to a nerve, proximate to
subcutaneous adipose tissue, proximate to breast tissue, proximate
to visceral fat, fatty tissue proximate to the pharynx, fatty
tissue proximate to the palate, fatty tissue proximate to the
tongue, proximate to a spinal cord lipoma, proximate to a
lipomyelomeningocele, proximate to visceral fat, proximate to
lipomastia, proximate to a tumor, proximate to cardiac tissue,
proximate to pericardial fat, and proximate to epicardial fat.
60. The method of claim 59, wherein the slurry includes an ionic
component.
61. The method of claim 59, wherein the slurry has a temperature
and cooling capacity sufficient to non-selectively disrupt tissue
into a treatment region of the subject.
62. The method of claim 59, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
63. A method of preparing a slurry, the method comprising: freezing
a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest
cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm in one or more
micromolds; and mixing the plurality of sterile ice particles with
one or more biocompatible liquids.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein the plurality of sterile ice
particles have a substantially uniform shape.
65. The method of claim 63, wherein the one or more micromolds are
fabricated from one or more materials selected from the group
consisting of: polymers, plastics, elastomers, silicons, silicones,
and metals.
66. The method of claim 63, further comprising: applying mechanical
strain, stress waves, shock waves, or centripetal force to remove
the plurality of sterile ice particles from the one or more
micromolds.
67. The method of claim 63, wherein the slurry has a mean
temperature selected from the group consisting of: about
+10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about
+7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about
+4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about
+1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., and between about -50.degree. C. and about
-75.degree. C.
68. A slurry comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles
having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm;
and an ionic component selected from the group consisting of:
hydrogen ions, lactate, phosphate, zinc ions, sulfur ions, nitrate,
ammonium, hydroxide, iron ions, barium ions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/042,979, filed Aug. 28, 2014, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/121,329, filed Feb. 26,
2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/121,472,
filed Feb. 26, 2015. This application contains disclosure that is
related to International Application No. PCT/US2015/PCT/047292,
filed on Aug. 27, 2015 (Attorney Docket No.
051588-22211WO2(00387)). The entire disclosures of the
aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Although various devices and techniques seek to selectively
target certain tissues, there remains a need for higher resolution
and specificity in targeting selected tissues while avoiding harm
to non-selected tissues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One aspect of the invention provides a slurry comprising: a
plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional
dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a biocompatible
surfactant.
[0004] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The plurality of sterile ice particles can have a
largest cross-sectional dimension less than a value selected from
the group consisting of: about 1.25 mm, about 1 mm, about 0.9 mm,
about 0.8 mm, about 0.7 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.4
mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.2 mm, and about 0.1 mm.
[0005] The biocompatible surfactant can be one or more selected
from the group consisting of: a solvent, a detergent, a wetting
agent, an emulsifier, a foaming agent, and a dispersant. The
biocompatible surfactant can be one or more selected from the group
consisting of: anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and nonionic. The
biocompatible surfactant can be glycerol. The biocompatible
surfactant can be urea.
[0006] The plurality of ice particles can constitute between about
0.1% and about 75% of the slurry by weight. The plurality of ice
particles can constitute a percentage by weight selected from the
group consisting of: between about 0.1% and 1%, between about 1%
and 10%, between about 10% and about 20%, between about 20% and
about 30%, between about 30% and about 40%, between about 40% and
about 50%, between about 50% and about 60%, between about 60% and
about 70%, and greater than about 50%. The plurality of ice
particles can constitute between about 0.1% and about 50% of the
slurry by weight.
[0007] The slurry can further include a therapeutic compound.
[0008] The therapeutic compound can be selected from the group
consisting of: an anesthetic and an analgesic. The therapeutic
compound can be a water-soluble anesthetic. The therapeutic
compound can be selected from the group consisting of: prilocaine,
bupivacaine, prilocaine, tetracaine, procaine, mepivicaine,
etidocaine, lidocaine, QX-314, and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAID).
[0009] The therapeutic compound can be a vasoconstrictor. The
vasoconstrictor can be selected from the group consisting of:
epinephrine, norepinephrine, a selective adrenergic agonist, a
nonselective adrenergic agonist, and a corticosteroid.
[0010] The slurry can further include one or more selected from the
group consisting of: microbubbles, nanobubbles, and biodegradable
solids.
[0011] The slurry can further include a toxin. The toxin can be
ethanol.
[0012] The slurry can be hypertonic. The slurry can be
hypotonic.
[0013] The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from the
group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0014] The slurry can have a mean temperature of about +5.degree.
C. or lower.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including:
a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest
cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; a biocompatible
surfactant; and a foam comprising a plurality of gas bubbles.
[0016] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from
the group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0017] Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including:
a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest
cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a
biocompatible excipient.
[0018] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from
the group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0019] Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including:
a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest
cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a lipolytic
agent.
[0020] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The lipolytic agent can be a detergent. The detergent
can be deoxycholate. The lipolytic agent can be an alcohol. The
lipolytic agent can be an organic solvent.
[0021] The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from the
group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0022] Another aspect of the invention a method of treating a
subject. The method includes: injecting a slurry as described
herein into a treatment region of the subject.
[0023] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The treatment region can be selected from the group
consisting of: proximate to a nerve, proximate to subcutaneous
adipose tissue, proximate to breast tissue, proximate to visceral
fat, fatty tissue proximate to the pharynx, fatty tissue proximate
to the palate, fatty tissue proximate to the tongue, proximate to a
spinal cord lipoma, proximate to a lipomyelomeningocele, proximate
to visceral fat, proximate to lipomastia, proximate to a tumor,
proximate to cardiac tissue, proximate to pericardial fat, and
proximate to epicardial fat.
[0024] The treatment region can include one or more tissues
selected from the group consisting of: connective, epithelial,
neural, joint, cardiac, adipose, hepatic, renal, vascular,
cutaneous, and muscle.
[0025] The method can further include measuring a temperature of
the slurry prior to injection.
[0026] The slurry can be injected via gravity flow. The slurry can
be injected via pressure injection. The slurry can be injected
through one or more selected from the group consisting of: a
syringe, a cannula, a catheter, and tubing.
[0027] The method can further include pre-cooling the treatment
region prior to the injecting step. The method can further include
applying energy adjacent to the target tissue. The method can
further include applying suction to the treatment region to remove
melted slurry.
[0028] The injecting step can include injecting a sufficient volume
of the slurry to cause tumescent swelling of the treatment region.
The injecting step can be repeated a plurality of times.
[0029] The method can further include calculating a desired amount
of slurry to be injected based on a desired amount of disruption to
the treatment region. The slurry can cool the treatment region
adjacent to an injection site at a rate greater in magnitude than
about -2.degree. C. per minute.
[0030] The method can thicken septa. The septa can be in adipose
tissue and/or dermis.
[0031] The method can further include mixing the slurry with
relatively warmer liquid prior to the injecting step.
[0032] The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from the
group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0033] The slurry can be hypotonic relative to the treatment
region. The slurry can be isotonic relative to the treatment
region. The slurry can be hypertonic relative to the treatment
region.
[0034] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of
treating a subject. The method includes: injecting the slurry as
described herein having a temperature and cooling capacity
sufficient to non-selectively disrupt tissue into a treatment
region of the subject.
[0035] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The treatment region can be selected from the group
consisting of: a prostate, a kidney, a heart, and a
fibroadenoma.
[0036] The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from the
group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0037] The slurry can be hypotonic relative to the treatment
region. The slurry can be isotonic relative to the treatment
region. The slurry can be hypertonic relative to the treatment
region.
[0038] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of
treating a subject. The method includes injecting a slurry into a
treatment region of the subject selected from the group consisting
of: proximate to a nerve, proximate to subcutaneous adipose tissue,
proximate to breast tissue, proximate to visceral fat, fatty tissue
proximate to the pharynx, fatty tissue proximate to the palate,
fatty tissue proximate to the tongue, proximate to a spinal cord
lipoma, proximate to a lipomyelomeningocele, proximate to visceral
fat, proximate to lipomastia, proximate to a tumor, proximate to
cardiac tissue, proximate to pericardial fat, and proximate to
epicardial fat.
[0039] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The slurry can include an ionic component.
[0040] The slurry can have a temperature and cooling capacity
sufficient to non-selectively disrupt tissue into a treatment
region of the subject. The slurry can have a mean temperature
selected from the group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about
+9.degree. C., about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about
+6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about
+3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about
0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about
-3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about
-6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about
-9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about
-12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about
-15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree.
C., between about -25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and
between about -50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0041] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of
preparing a slurry. The method includes: freezing a plurality of
sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension
less than about 1.5 mm in one or more micromolds; and mixing the
plurality of sterile ice particles with one or more biocompatible
liquids.
[0042] This aspect of the invention can have a variety of
embodiments. The plurality of sterile ice particles can have a
substantially uniform shape. The one or more micromolds can be
fabricated from one or more materials selected from the group
consisting of: polymers, plastics, elastomers, silicons, silicones,
and metals. The method can further include applying mechanical
strain, stress waves, shock waves, or centripetal force to remove
the plurality of sterile ice particles from the one or more
micromolds.
[0043] The slurry can have a mean temperature selected from the
group consisting of: about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C.,
about +8.degree. C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C.,
about +5.degree. C., about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C.,
about +2.degree. C., about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about
-1.degree. C., about -2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about
-4.degree. C., about -5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about
-7.degree. C., about -8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about
-10.degree. C., about -11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about
-13.degree. C., about -14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between
about -15.degree. C. and about -25.degree. C., between about
-25.degree. C. and about -50.degree. C., and between about
-50.degree. C. and about -75.degree. C.
[0044] Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry
comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest
cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and an ionic
component selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen ions,
lactate, phosphate, zinc ions, sulfur ions, nitrate, ammonium,
hydroxide, iron ions, barium ions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects
of the present invention, reference is made to the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing figures wherein like reference characters denote
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0046] FIG. 1 depicts a method of preparing a slurry according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0047] FIG. 2 depicts a method of preparing a slurry according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0048] FIG. 3 depicts an experimental prototype for generating
slurries according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0049] FIG. 4 depicts an example of ice produced by introducing
droplets generated by an ultrasonic humidifier into a dry ice
environment according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0050] FIG. 5 depicts ice balls harvested using liquid nitrogen
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 6 depicts a general method of treatment using
injectable slurries according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0052] FIG. 7 depicts an ice slurry with a high concentration of
small ice particles according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0053] FIGS. 8A-8C depict the results of injection of an ice slurry
into human abdominoplasty adipose tissue according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0054] FIGS. 9A and 9B depict the detection of injected slurry with
ultrasound in ex vivo human skin according to an embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 9A is an ultrasound image of human skin prior to
slurry injection. FIG. 9B is an ultrasound image of human skin
after slurry injection.
[0055] FIG. 10 depicts a chart of the temperature of an ex vivo
human abdominoplasty specimen being heated from below after
injection of a cold slurry according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0056] FIGS. 11A and 11B depict gross photographs of pig skin 4
weeks after injections of a melted, room temperature slurry (FIG.
11A) and cold slurry (FIG. 11B) according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0057] FIGS. 12A and 12B depict ultrasound images of pig skin at a
treatment site prior to cold slurry injection (FIG. 12A) and 4
weeks after cold slurry injection (FIG. 12B) according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0058] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict gross photographs of pig skin at
another treatment site 4 weeks after injections of cold slurry
according to an embodiment of the invention demonstrating a marked
depression in skin caused by loss of subcutaneous fat at the site
of the injection.
[0059] FIGS. 14A and 14B depict ultrasound images of pig skin at
another treatment site prior to cold slurry injection (FIG. 14A)
and 4 weeks after cold slurry injection (FIG. 14B) according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0060] FIG. 15 depicts the creation of a slurry using a benchtop
analytical mill according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0061] FIG. 16 depicts an injection site in the area of the left
inguinal fat pad in adult Sprague-Dawley rats.
[0062] FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C depicts the result of injection of
room temperature hetastarch solutions, injection of cold hetastarch
slurry, and no injection in a control site, respectively, in adult
Sprague-Dawley rats. FIGS. 17D-17G depict tissue surrounding the
injection site demonstrating no effects on muscle or surrounding
tissue.
[0063] FIGS. 18A and 18B depict the result of injections of 5%
TWEEN.RTM. 20 (polysorbate 20) in lactated Ringer's solution plus
5% dextrose at room temperature (+16.degree. C.) and cold slurry
(-0.6.degree. C.), respectively, in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. FIG.
18C depicts the control (not injected) side. FIGS. 18D-18G depict
tissue surrounding the injection site demonstrating no effect on
muscle or surrounding tissue.
[0064] FIGS. 19A and 19B depict the result of injections of 5%
polyethylene glycol (PEG) in lactated Ringer's solution plus 5%
dextrose at room temperature (+8.degree. C.) and cold slurry
(-0.8.degree. C.), respectively, in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. FIG.
19C depicts the control (not injected) side. FIGS. 19D-19G depict
tissue surrounding the injection site demonstrating no effect on
muscle or surrounding tissue.
[0065] FIG. 20A depicts injection sites on a swine before injection
and FIG. 20B depicts injection sites 14 days after injection.
[0066] FIG. 21 depicts a graph of cooling at three locations during
slurry injection into a swine.
[0067] FIGS. 22A-22D are photographs of injection site 11, which
received an injection of normal slurry with 10% glycerol at
-4.1.degree. C.
[0068] FIGS. 23A and 23B depict a foamy slurry.
[0069] FIG. 24 depicts the use of a foamy slurry as an insulator
for further slurry injection(s).
[0070] FIG. 25A depicts an injection site for porcine
parapharyngeal and neck fat pads.
[0071] FIG. 25B depicts the injection depth. FIGS. 25C and 25D
depict the localization of the slurry (containing ink) within the
parapharyngeal and neck fat pads.
[0072] FIGS. 26A-26K are photographs depicting the result of
various slurry compositions into swine.
[0073] FIGS. 27A-27C depict various structures for removal of
melted slurry from an injection site according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0074] FIG. 28 depicts a tray for molding micro ice particles and a
micro ice particle that can be formed from such a tray according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0075] FIGS. 29A-29D depict histology of the perigonadal visceral
fat of obese mice.
[0076] FIG. 30 is a graph of average weight loss of obese mice
treated with intraperitoneal injection of cold slurry compared to
their untreated cohort.
[0077] FIGS. 31A and 31B provides images of gross biopsies of swine
taken at time of sacrifice three months post-procedure and showing
a visible dermal thickening in the treated region.
[0078] FIGS. 32A and 32B provide images of histology of swine taken
at time of sacrifice three months post-procedure and stained with
hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).
[0079] FIG. 33A depicts a quantitative model to illustrate the
behavior of injected slurries according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0080] FIG. 33B depicts three stages of heat exchange following
infusion of a slurry into a tissue.
[0081] FIGS. 34A and 34B provide images of immunohistochemical
(IHC) staining for type I collagen taken at time of sacrifice three
months post-procedure.
[0082] FIGS. 35A and 35B provide images of immunohistochemical
(IHC) staining for type III collagen taken at time of sacrifice
three months post-procedure.
[0083] FIGS. 36A and 36B are magnetic resonance (MR) images
depicting the cross-sections of a control mouse trachea and
adjacent tissue at a baseline and four week follow-up,
respectively.
[0084] FIGS. 37A and 37B are magnetic resonance (MR) images
depicting the cross-sections of a treated mouse trachea and
adjacent tissue at a baseline and four week follow-up,
respectively.
DEFINITIONS
[0085] The instant invention is most clearly understood with
reference to the following definitions.
[0086] As used herein, the singular form "a," "an," and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise.
[0087] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used
herein, the term "about" is understood as within a range of normal
tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of
the mean. "About" can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%,
5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated
value. Unless otherwise clear from context, all numerical values
provided herein are modified by the term about.
[0088] As used in the specification and claims, the terms
"comprises," "comprising," "containing," "having," and the like can
have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean
"includes," "including," and the like.
[0089] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, the term
"or," as used herein, is understood to be inclusive.
[0090] Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for
all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50
is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or
sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,
45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 (as well as fractions thereof unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise).
[0091] As used herein, the term "slurry" refers to a plurality of
ice particles in an aqueous solution.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0092] Various aspects of the invention involve introducing a
composition including a cold slurry (e.g., ice slurry) into tissue,
e.g., directly into the tissue rather than through a natural
conduit of the body such as arteries, veins, or gut. When a volume
of ice slurry is directly introduced into a volume of soft tissue,
there is rapid heat exchange between the tissue and the slurry.
When rapidly and locally injected, a pool of slurry is produced
that contacts a target volume of local tissue. By contrast, if a
slurry is infused more slowly and with larger volume, the slurry
penetrates and flows through spaces in the tissue, producing
widespread channels filled with slurry in a process similar to the
administration of tumescent anesthesia. Infusion enables sustained
flow of slurry through tissue, especially tissue nearby the site of
introduction. This tissue can be profoundly cooled to the
temperature of the slurry itself by the continuous or prolonged
flow of slurry.
[0093] In general, there are two periods of heat exchange upon
injection of slurry directly into tissue: a rapid equilibration
between slurry and local tissue, followed by slower warming to body
temperature. During the rapid equilibration, the slurry is warmed
and the local tissue is cooled, until an equilibrium temperature is
reached that is between the initial temperatures of the slurry and
the tissue. During this rapid tissue cooling by heat exchange,
three events occur: (1) heat stored by the heat capacity of the
slurry and the tissue is exchanged; (2) heat released by the
crystallization of tissue lipids is exchanged; and (3) heat
absorbed by melting of slurry ice is exchanged. Some or all of the
ice in the slurry melts, and some or all of the lipids in the
tissue are crystallized, according to the parameters of the tissue
and the slurry.
[0094] After the rapid heat exchange with the slurry, there is
gradual warming by heat exchange with the body. Gradual warming
occurs by a combination of heat diffusion from surrounding warm
tissue and by convective heating from blood flow. Blood flow can be
reduced in the local tissue by pressure or by drugs as discussed in
greater detail herein. The desired level of pain relief may depend
on temperature, rate of cooling, duration of cooling and the number
of cooling cycles.
Injectable Slurries
[0095] Embodiments of the invention provide injectable slurries
that can be used for selective or non-selective cryotherapy and/or
cryolysis. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such
slurries can target and disrupt desired tissue through the
extraction of heat from adjacent tissue during melting of the ice
component of the slurry.
[0096] In addition, the osmolality or osmolarity of the slurry can
be adjusted to synergistically induce selective damage through
hypertonic or hypotonic injury. For example, the slurries can be
isotonic slurries having an osmolarity of about 308 mOsm/L,
hypotonic slurries having an osmolarity less than about 308 mOsm/L,
or hypertonic slurries having an osmolarity greater than about 308
mOsm/L.
[0097] As discussed herein, varying amounts of additives such as
freezing point depressants can be added to the slurries. For
example, the additives can constitute less than about 20% w/w of
the slurry, between about 20% and about 40% w/w of the slurry, and
the like.
[0098] In one embodiment, the injectable slurry includes a
plurality of sterile ice particles and one or more freezing point
depressants. The freezing point depressants can also alter the
viscosity of the slurry, prevent agglomeration of the ice
particles, increase thermal conductivity of fluid phase, and
otherwise improve the performance of the slurry.
[0099] The degree of freezing point depression can be calculated
either using the idealized formula
.DELTA.T.sub.F=K.sub.Fbi
wherein .DELTA.T.sub.F is the freezing point depression (as defined
by T.sub.F(pure solvent)-T.sub.F(solution)), K.sub.F is the
cryoscopic constant, b is molality, and i is the van 't Hoff factor
representing the number of ion particles per individual molecule of
solute (e.g., 2 for NaCl, 3 for BaCl.sub.2) or in the formulas
proposed in X. Ge & X. Wang, "Estimation of Freezing Point
Depression, Boiling Point Elevation and Vaporization enthalpies of
electrolyte solutions," 48 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2229-35 (2009) and
X. Ge & X. Wang, "Calculations of Freezing Point Depression,
Boiling Point Elevation, Vapor Pressure and Enthalpies of
Vaporization of Electrolyte Solutions by a Modified
Three-Characteristic Parameter Correlation Model," 38 J. Sol. Chem.
1097-1117 (2009).
[0100] In order to ensure that the slurry can be injected into a
subject through a needle, a cannula, or a catheter, the size of the
ice particles can be controlled. Without being bound by theory, it
is believed that a slurry will be injectable if all or most (e.g.,
greater than about 50% by quantity, greater than about 75% by
quantity, greater than about 80% by quantity, greater than about
90% by quantity, greater than about 95% by quantity, greater than
about 99% by quantity, and the like) of the ice particles have a
largest cross-sectional dimension (i.e., the largest distance
between any two points on the surface of the ice particle) no
greater than half of the internal diameter of the vessels (e.g.,
needles, cannulae, catheters, tubing, and the like) to be used. For
example, if the slurry is to be injected using a catheter having a
3 mm internal diameter, the ice particles will preferably have a
largest cross-sectional dimension less than or equal to about 1.5
mm. In some embodiments, the ice particles have a mean largest
cross-sectional dimension of 1 mm or less.
[0101] As discussed in greater detail herein, this controlled size
can be achieved by controlled generation or processing of the ice
particles and/or by filtering, screening, or sorting of the ice
particles. Controlled storage, transport, and/or handling of the
ice particles and/or slurries can also promote predictable,
flowable slurries by preventing thawing and refreezing of the ice
particles, which may change the size of the ice particles and/or
produce sharp and/or jagged surfaces.
[0102] Without being bound by theory, exemplary suitable ice
particle sizes for various internal catheter diameters and internal
needle diameters are provided in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively,
below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Recommended Largest Ice Particle
Cross-Sections by Catheter Size Recommended Largest Catheter
Internal Diameter Cross-Section of Ice Particles 4 mm 2 mm 3 mm 1.5
mm 2 mm 1 mm
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Recommended Largest Ice Particle
Cross-Sections by Needle Size Recommended Largest Cross-Section of
Ice Needle Gauge Nominal Internal Diameter Particles 7 3.81 mm
1.905 mm 8 3.429 mm 1.7145 mm 9 2.997 mm 1.4985 mm 10 2.692 mm
1.346 mm 11 2.388 mm 1.194 mm 12 2.159 mm 1.0795 mm 13 1.803 mm
0.9015 mm 14 1.6 mm 0.8 mm 15 1.372 mm 0.686 mm 16 1.194 mm 0.597
mm 17 1.067 mm 0.5335 mm 18 0.838 mm 0.419 mm 19 0.686 mm 0.343 mm
20 0.603 mm 0.3015 mm 21 0.514 mm 0.257 mm 22 0.413 mm 0.2065 mm
22s 0.152 mm 0.076 mm 23 0.337 mm 0.1685 mm 24 0.311 mm 0.1555 mm
25 0.26 mm 0.13 mm 26 0.26 mm 0.13 mm 26s 0.127 mm 0.0635 mm 27
0.21 mm 0.105 mm 28 0.184 mm 0.092 mm 29 0.184 mm 0.092 mm 30 0.159
mm 0.0795 mm 31 0.133 mm 0.0665 mm 32 0.108 mm 0.054 mm 33 0.108 mm
0.054 mm 34 0.0826 mm 0.0413 mm
[0103] One or more freezing point depressants can be added to form
sub-0.degree. C. slurries that remain injectable. Freezing point
depressants can also reduce the temperature of the slurries to
temperatures below 0.degree. C. Suitable freezing point depressants
include biocompatible compounds such salts (e.g., sodium chloride),
ions, Lactated Ringer's solution, sugars (e.g., glucose, sorbitol,
mannitol, hetastarch, sucrose, or a combination thereof),
biocompatible surfactants such as glycerol (also known as glycerin
or glycerine), other polyols, other sugar alcohols, and/or urea,
and the like. In particular, some biocompatible surfactants such as
glycerol are believed to cause ice particles to shrink and become
rounder and also serves as a cryo-protectant for non-lipid-rich
cells. Other exemplary biocompatible surfactants include sorbitan
esters of fatty acids, polysorbates, polyoxyethylene sorbitan
monooleate (also known as polysorbate 80 and available under the
TWEEN.RTM. 80 trademark from Croda Americas LLC of New Castle,
Del.), sorbitan monooleate polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate
(also known as polysorbate 80 and available under the TWEEN.RTM. 80
trademark from Croda Americas LLC of New Castle, Del.), polysorbate
20 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate), polysorbate 40
(polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate), polysorbate 60
(polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate), polysorbate 80
(polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate), sorbitan ester,
poloxamater, lecithin, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers
(available under the PLURONICS.RTM. trademark from BASF Corporation
of Mount Olive, N.J.), sorbitan trioleate (available under the
SPAN.RTM. 85 trademark from Sigma-Aldrich of St. Louis, Mo.) and
the like.
[0104] Surfactants can also act as a solvent, detergent, wetting
agent, emulsifier, foaming agent, and/or dispersant. Surfactants
can be anionic, cationic, amphoteric, or nonionic. Biocompatible
surfactants can be included in injectable ice slurries.
[0105] Injectable slurries can be configured to have a desired
temperature and to extract a desired amount of heat per unit of
volume or mass of slurry. Specifically, the solute (i.e., freezing
point depressant) concentration dictates the temperature of the
slurry and the ice content of the slurry determines the amount of
heat extracted by the slurry.
[0106] For selectively-destructive slurries that target the
relative vulnerability of lipid-rich cells, the slurry is
preferably isotonic relative to the subject's cells, e.g., having
an osmolarity of about 308 mOsm/L. For example, slurries including
normal saline and 20% glycerol were able to target lipid rich cells
while avoiding acute unselective necrosis. Broadly destructive
slurries can achieve colder temperatures and greater destructive
power by increasing the solute concentration (e.g., to 20% w/v
saline) to form a hypertonic solution (i.e., a solution having an
osmolarity greater than about 308 mOsm/L) that will also disrupt
cells through osmotic pressure. As the ice melts, the solute
concentration will decrease.
[0107] The injectable slurries can contain varying proportions of
ice. For example, the slurries can contain between about 0.1% and
about 75% ice by weight, between about 0.1% and 1% ice by weight,
between about 1% and 10% ice by weight, between about 10% and about
20% ice by weight, between about 20% and about 30% ice by weight,
between about 30% and about 40% ice by weight, between about 40%
and about 50% ice by weight, between about 50% and about 60% ice by
weight, between about 60% and about 70% ice by weight, and greater
than about 50% ice by weight. (The proportions of ice by volume are
slightly higher due to the densities of solid and liquid
water.)
[0108] In some embodiments, the injectable slurry further comprises
a therapeutic compound (which can be included in calculating the
solute concentration above). The therapeutic compound can be a
liquid, a gas, or a solid.
[0109] In one embodiment, the therapeutic compound is an anesthetic
and/or an analgesic, for example, a water-soluble anesthetic (e.g.,
prilocaine), bupivacaine, prilocaine, tetracaine, procaine,
mepivicaine, etidocaine, lidocaine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), steroids (e.g., methylprednisone), and the like.
Inclusion of an anesthetic in the slurry can be particularly
advantageous when the slurry is used to provide a nerve block
because (i) the effect of the anesthetic will provide immediate
confirmation that the slurry is being injected in the correct
location and (ii) the anesthetic can provide pain relief until the
cyroneurolysis nerve block is effective (potentially after 48
hours).
[0110] In one embodiment, the anesthetic is QX-314, N-ethyl
bromide, a quaternary lidocaine derivative that is a permanently
charged molecule capable of providing long term (over 24 hours)
anesthesia. Unlike lidocaine, QX-314 can provide more selective
blocking of nociceptors and with longer duration of action and less
side effects. QX-314 is a charged molecule that needs to enter the
cell and block the sodium channels intracellularly. The ability of
QX-314 to block from the inside, but not the outside of neuronal
membranes could be exploited to block only desired neurons.
Combining QX-314 with the cold slurry injections described herein
can selectively target cold sensing nociceptive sensory neurons to
provide selective and long lasting anesthesia.
[0111] In another embodiment, the therapeutic compound is a
vasoconstrictor such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, other
selective or nonselective adrenergic agonists, or a corticosteroid.
Vasoconstrictors can advantageously prolong the cooling effect of
the slurry by reducing warming from blood flow. (Pressure or
suction can also be used to reduce blood flow and/or isolate the
target tissue as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,367,341 and
8,840,608.)
[0112] In still another embodiment, the injectable slurry can
include one or more lipolytic agents to enhance the reduction of
lipid-rich cells. Exemplary lipolytic agents include biocompatible
surfactants, bile salts and their derivatives (e.g., deoxycholic
acid), phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), catecholamines, B-agonists
(e.g., isoproterenol), alpha 2-agonists (e.g., yohimbine),
phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., aminophylline, theophylline),
corticosteroids, caffeine, hyalorunidase, collagenase,
alpha-tocopherol, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, carnitine, catechin,
cysteine, gallic acid, laminarin, rutin, myrecetin, alpha MSH,
melilotus, resveratrol, genistein, and the like. Such agents can
disrupt adipose tissue morphology when injected at room temperature
and be particularly useful in augmenting disruption of adipose
tissue morphology when included in slurries prepared for
cryolipolysis and/or cryoneurolysis. Table 3 provides a list of
exemplary lipolytic agents, cell targets, and hypothesized
mechanisms of action.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Exemplary Lipolytic
(Lipid-Rich-Cell-Targeting) Agents Cell Cell Compound Category
Target Lysis? Hypothesized Mechanism of Action Bile salts and their
Adipocyte Yes Solubilize/break down adipocyte cell derivatives
(e.g., membrane through detergent effect deoxycholic acid)
Phosphatidylcholine Adipocyte No Buffers ablative effects of
detergents (e.g., (lecithin) deoxycholate, cholates, and the like)
Catecholamines, B- Adipocyte No Increased lipolysis; stimulation of
B- agonists (e.g., adrenoreceptor increases cAMP isoproterenol)
Alpha 2-agonists Adipocyte No Increased lipolysis (e.g., yohimbine)
Phosphodiesterase Adipocyte No Increased lipolysis;
phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., inhibition increases cAMP
aminophylline, theophylline) Corticosteroids Adipocyte No Block
downregulation of B-adrenoreceptors Forskolin (plant Adipocyte No
Increased lipolysis; activates adenylate cyclase derivative: Coleus
independent of adrenoreceptor resulting in forskohlii) increased
cAMP Caffeine Adipocyte No Increased lipolysis; multiple mechanisms
(Phosphodiesterase inhibition, increased catecholamine release,
adenosine antagonist) Collagenase Fibrous N/A Dissolves fibrous
septae septae
[0113] In some embodiments, the injectable slurry further includes
microbubbles or nanobubbles to aid in imaging (particularly by
ultrasound) and verification of the injection site. Suitable
microbubbles and nanobubbles and methods for making the same are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,897,141 and 8,715,622 and U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2008/0247957, 2008/0279783, and
2009/0028797.
[0114] In some embodiments, specifically non-selective injectable
slurries, the slurry can further include a toxin or sclerosing
agents such as ethanol, detergents, and the like.
[0115] Slurries can contain other emulsifiers and excipients
included in other parenteral solutions such as those described in
Sougata Pramanick et al., "Excipient Selection In Parenteral
Formulation Development," 45(3) Pharma Times 65-77 (2013).
Exemplary excipients are listed in Table 4 below. The substances
described herein can be administered in a variety of doses that can
produce varying effects. For example, low doses of a particular
substance can act as an inert excipient, but exert a therapeutic
effect at a higher concentration.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Exemplary Excipients Category Examples
Bulking Agents Sucrose, lactose, trehalose, mannitol, sorbitol,
glucose, raffinose, glycine, histidine, PVP (K40) Buffering Agents
Sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, tris base-65,
tris acetate, tris HCl-65 Tonicity Dextrose Modifiers Collapse
Dextran, ficoll, gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch Temperature Modifiers
Antimicrobial Benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzyl
alcohol, Preservatives chlorobutanol, m-cresol, myristyl
gamma-picolinium chloride, paraben methyl, paraben propyl, phenol,
2-penoxyethanol, phenyl mercuric nitrate, thimerosal Chelating
Agents Calcium disodium EDTA (ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid),
disodium EDTA, calcium versetamide Na, calteridol, DTPA Antioxidant
and Acetone sodium bisulfate, argon, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbate
Reducing Agents (sodium/acid), bisulfite sodium, butylated hydroxyl
anisole, butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), cystein/cysteinate HCl,
dithionite sodium, gentistic acid, gentistic acid ethanolamine,
glutamate monosodium, glutathione, formaldehyde sulfoxylate sodium,
metabisulfite potassium, metabisulfite sodium, methionine,
monothioglycerol (thioglycerol), nitrogen, propyl gallate, sulfite
sodium, tocopherol alpha, alpha tocopherol hydrogen succinate,
thioglycolate sodium, thiourea, anhydrous stannous chloride
Solvents and Benzyl benzoate, oils, castor oil, cottonseed oil, N,N
dimethylacetamide, Co-Solvents ethanol, dehydrated ethanol,
glycerin/glycerol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, peanut oil, PEG, PEG
300, PEG 400, PEG 600, PEG 3350, PEG 4000, poppyseed oil, propylene
glycol, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, vegetable oil,
oleic acid, polyoxyethylene castor, sodium acetate-anhydrous,
sodium carbonate-anhydrous, triethanolamine, deoxycholate Buffers
and Acetate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium hydroxide, arginine,
aspartic acid, pH-Adjusting benze sulfonic acid, benzoate
sodium/acid, bicarbonate-sodium, boric Agents acid/sodium,
carbonate/sodium, carbon dioxide, citrate, diethanolamine, glucono
delta lactone, glycine/glycine HCl, histidine/histidine HCl,
hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, lysine (L), maleic acid,
meglumine, methanesulfonic acid, monoethanolamine, phosphate (acid,
monobasic potassium, dibasic potassium, monobasic sodium, dibasic
sodium and tribasic sodium), sodium hydroxide, succinate
sodium/disodium, sulfuric acid, tartarate sodium/acid, tromethamine
(Tris) Stabilizer Aminoethyl sulfonic acid, asepsis sodium
bicarbonate, L-cysteine, dietholamine, diethylenetriaminepentacetic
acid, ferric chloride, albumin, hydrolyzed gelatin, insitol,
D,L-methionine Surfactant Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate
(TWEEN .RTM. 80), Sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan
monolaurate (TWEEN .RTM. 20), lecithin,
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers (PLURONICS .RTM.),
polyoxyethylene monolaurate, phosphatidylcholines, glyceryl fatty
acid esters, urea Complexing/ Cyclodextrins (e.g.,
hydroxypropyl-B-cyclodextrin, sulfobutylether-B- Dispersing
cyclodextrin) Agents Viscosity Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,
acacia, gelatin, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl Building Agents
pyrrolidone
[0116] Exemplary properties of various additives are summarized in
Table 5 below.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Properties of Exemplary Additives Osmo/Cryo
Surfactant/ Cell Agent Lipolytic Miscible Protectant Solvent
Permeable Glycerol X X X X Urea X X X Ethylene Glycol X X X X PEG X
X TRITON .TM. X-100 X X Detergent Propylene Glycol X X Ethanol X X
Polyvinyl Alcohol X X X Adonitol X X Erythritol X X Dextran
(Glucan) X X Dextrose 20% in Water X X X (D20W) (Free Water
Solution) Mannitol (Sugar X Alcohols) Sucrose (Sugar) X X X
Hetastarch (Colloid) X X Epinephrine X X (Vasoconstrictor) PLURONIC
.RTM. X X (Poloxamers) SPAN .RTM. (Sorbitan X X Esters) TWEEN .RTM.
X X (Polysorbates) CREMOPHOR .RTM. X X (Polyethoxylated Castor Oil)
Caffeine X X Cholate X X X Deoxycholate X X X Lecithin X X X X
Yohimbine X X Genistein X (Pro- X Apoptotic Agent) Resveratrol X
(Pro- X Apoptotic Agent) Amino/ X X Theophylline Amino Acid X X
(e.g., Betaine) Polyvinyl Pyridine X X (PVP) Emulsions of Natural X
Oils Intralipid X Electrolytes X (Crystalloids) Calcitrol
(Potential Cryosensitizer)
[0117] As used herein, "intralipid" refers to an emulsion of lipids
typically used for intravenous nutrition, e.g., an emulsion of 20%
intravenous fat emulsion, 20% soybean oil, 1.2% egg yolk
phospholipids (lecithin), 2.25% glycerin, water, and sodium
hydroxide to adjust pH. A variety of other intralipid formulations
are used in medicine.
[0118] Other additives include sugars, monosaccharides,
disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, carbohydrates,
lipids, anti-metabolites, oils, natural oils (e.g., canola,
coconut, corn, cottonseed, flaxseed, olive, palm, peanut,
safflower, soybean, and/or sunflower oil), peritoneal dialysis
solution, ions (e.g., calcium, potassium, hydrogen, chloride,
magnesium, sodium, lactate, phosphate, zinc, sulfur, nitrate,
ammonium, carbonate, hydroxide, iron, barium, and the like), and
the like.
Foams and Foamy Slurries
[0119] Referring now to FIGS. 23A and 23B, slurry with 5%
TWEEN.RTM. 20 (polysorbate 20) in lactated Ringer's solution plus
5% dextrose initially had a regular slurry consistency, but became
very foamy when reblended. Without being bound by theory, it is
believed that foamy slurries can be formed with other
detergents.
[0120] Foamy slurries or other biocompatible foams can be utilized
as insulators to further protect adjacent tissue from cold-induced
damage. For example, a foamy slurry or other biocompatible foam can
first be injected adjacent to a cooling target (e.g., a nerve). A
slurry having a higher cooling power can then be injected adjacent
to the target and within the foamy slurry or biocompatible foam as
depicted in FIG. 24. The foamy slurry or biocompatible foam will
act as an insulator, in part due to the entrained air, thereby
protecting adjacent tissue from cold-induced damage and shielding
the second slurry from warming by adjacent tissue.
Methods of Preparing Slurries
[0121] Slurries can be prepared using a variety of methods.
[0122] In one embodiment, a slurry is prepared using a
commercially-available ice slurry generator such as those available
under the MODUPAK.TM. DEEPCHILL.TM. trademark from Sunwell
Technologies Inc. of Woodbridge, Ontario. Commercially-available
slurry generators include scraped surface generators that wipe away
(e.g., with blades, augers, brushes) small ice crystals from a
chilled surface and mix with water, direct contact generators in
which an immiscible primary refrigerant evaporates to supersaturate
the water and form small smooth crystals, and super cooling
generators in which water is supercooled and released through a
nozzle into a storage tank.
[0123] FIG. 1 depicts one exemplary method 100 of preparing a
slurry.
[0124] In step S102, ice is obtained. The ice is preferably sterile
ice and can either consist purely or essentially of water or can be
a frozen mixture of water and one or more additives as discussed
herein.
[0125] In step S104, one or more additives are optionally combined
with the ice prior to processing. The one or more additives are
preferably at or near the desired slurry temperature in order to
prevent melting and refreezing of the ice particles.
[0126] In step S106, the ice is processed into smaller pieces. A
variety of techniques and devices can be utilized to reduce the ice
size including a blade grinder (e.g., a blender, a food processor,
and the like) that have rotating blades, an ice crusher, an ice
shaver, a mill, or other suitable device. Suitable blade grinders
are available under the WARING.RTM. trademark from Conair
Corporation of Stamford, Conn. Suitable ice crushers and ice
shavers are available under the CLAWSON.TM. trademark from the
Clawson Machine Division of Technology General Corp. of Franklin,
N.J. and under the SEMCO.TM. trademark from Semco Inc. of Pharr,
Tex. Suitable mills include the benchtop analytical mill available
from Cole-Parmer of Vernon Hills, Ill. and depicted in FIG. 15 and
can be utilized to mill either ice or dry ice. In still another
embodiment, ice particles can be formed by grinding/milling ice
between surfaces (e.g., discs or screens) rotating in opposite
directions. In yet another embodiment, shock waves, vibration
(e.g., ultrasonic vibration), and/or thermal shock (e.g., from
lasers or steam jets) can be used to fracture the ice. In still
other embodiments, the ice (and any additives) can be placed in a
bag and struck repeatedly with a mallet or other implement.
[0127] In step S108, one or more additives (e.g., glycerol) are
added to crushed ice (and any previously added additives).
[0128] In one example of this method, ice can be scraped at
-80.degree. C. into a biocompatible liquid cooled to 1.degree. C.
above the biocompatible liquid's freezing point. A surfactant
cooled to -20.degree. C. is then added and the resulting slurry is
stirred vigorously.
[0129] FIG. 2 depicts another exemplary method 200 of preparing a
slurry.
[0130] In step S202, sterile water is obtained. Sterile water is
available from a variety of sources including Hospira, Inc. of Lake
Forest, Ill.
[0131] In step S204, one or more additives are optionally combined
with the sterile water prior to processing.
[0132] In step S206, the water (and any additives) are frozen. A
variety of techniques and devices can be utilized to freeze the
water.
[0133] One example is an ice cream maker that utilizes a moving
element (either a paddle or a rotating vessel) to generate small
ice crystals. An experimental prototype using a household ice cream
maker is depicted in FIG. 3.
[0134] In another embodiment, small droplets of water (and
optionally additives) are formed and then frozen. Suitable devices
for forming small droplets of water include atomizers, injectors,
ejectors, aspirators, Venturi pumps, nebulizers, humidifiers,
ultrasonic humidifiers, and the like. The generated water droplets
can be introduced into a cold environment that can be achieved, for
example, using dry ice. An example of ice produced by introducing
droplets generated by an ultrasonic humidifier into a dry ice
environment is depicted in FIG. 4.
[0135] In still another embodiment, small droplets of water (and
optionally additives) are dropped into liquid nitrogen then
harvested. Ice balls 502 harvested using this technique are
depicted in FIG. 5. This process can be automated through the use
of a microdropper such as those available from microdrop
Technologies GmbH of Norderstedt, Germany.
[0136] In still another embodiment, the slurry components can be
provided pre-mixed liquid in a bag (e.g., an intravenous fluid bag
and like) and then frozen within the bag under continuous or
intermittent agitation, e.g., by shock waves, vibration (e.g.,
ultrasonic vibration), thermal shock (e.g., from lasers, steam
jets), and the like to produce a slurry within the bag that can
then be injected. This approach advantageously provides a "closed"
system for creation of slurries to promote sterility.
[0137] In still another embodiment, a plurality of ice particles
can be formed in a sub-millimeter (e.g., having a largest
cross-sectional dimension of about 0.1 mm or less) or micro-scale
casting mold as depicted in FIG. 28. The casting mold can be
fabricated through molding, negative molding, 3D printing, additive
manufacturing, machining, and the like to define receptacles of a
variety of shapes and can be fabricated from a variety of materials
such as polymers, plastics, elastomers, silicone, silicon, metals,
and the like. The tray can be provided pre-loaded with ice
particles or can be loaded with water and frozen in a lab. The tray
can flex to release the ice particles into a liquid component to
form a slurry.
[0138] The casting can be performed by rapid cooling of the casting
mold while in contact with liquid water or flowing of liquid water
over or through the cold casting material, during which ice forms
within casts. Ice particles can be removed from the casts by
deformation of the casting material using mechanical strain, stress
waves, or shock waves. Ice particles can be removed from the casts
by partial melting from an external or internal energy source. Ice
particles can be removed or aided to be removed from the casts by
centripetal force, e.g., by centrifugation. For example, the
casting mold can be rapidly rotated while cooled and periodically
supplied with water in order to create small ice particles near the
mold surface that are thrown off by centripetal force into a cold
environment for collection.
Slurry Storage and Further Processing
[0139] Both the slurries described herein and precursor ice
particles can be stable for years if held at stable humidity and
temperature below the freezing point of the solution or the ice
particles. In order to guard against growth or agglomeration of ice
crystals, it is preferable to store the slurry at a stable
temperature below the temperature for intended use and allow for
partial melting of the slurry to reach the desired injection
temperature prior to use. Partial melting can be achieved by
warming of the slurry (e.g., by exposure of a vessel containing the
slurry to ambient conditions or by actively applying an energy
source) or introducing additional solute (e.g., glycerin).
[0140] Various techniques can be employed to prevent or minimize
sublimation of either precursor ice particles or slurries during
storage, transport, and/or handling. For example, ice particles can
be coated with a surfactant that acts as a barrier to sublimation
and reduces friction between ice particles. Additionally or
alternatively, the ice particles and/or slurries can be stored
under elevated pressure (e.g., above water's triple point).
[0141] Either method described above can be performed by a single
actor at a single location at a single time or can be performed by
one or more actors at one or more locations at one or more times.
For example, small stable ice particles can be packaged and shipped
using standard cold shipping methods and stored in a standard
freezer (e.g., at -20.degree. C.). The ice particles can be
combined with one or more additional additives in the clinic
shortly or immediately prior to injection. As discussed herein in
greater detail, the additives can, for example, be biocompatible
solutions, contain a biocompatible surfactant such as glycerol, and
be precooled (e.g., to a temperature approximating the desired
temperature of the slurry at the time of injection).
[0142] The additives can be added through a variety of methods. In
one embodiment, the ice particles are stored in a container such as
a plastic bag such as those commonly used to store intravenous (IV)
fluid and the additive is injected, pumped, or allowed to flow by
gravity into the ice particles. In other embodiments, the additive
is poured over the ice particles. In still another embodiment, the
additive is provided in frangible or burst pouch within the same
container as the ice particles. This frangible or burst pouch can
be squeezed to rupture the pouch and combine the additive and the
ice particles at the desired time.
[0143] Once the ice particles and the additives are mixed de novo
at the point of care or pre-mixed slurries are removed from a
freezer, the temperature is preferably monitored to either maintain
or achieve a desired temperature. For example, the slurry may need
to rise to a desired temperature, but it may be preferred that the
slurry does not rise significantly beyond a desired temperature.
Various thermometers, thermocouples, and other temperature
measuring devices can be used to measure the temperature of the
slurry. These measurements can be internal or external to the
container holding the slurry. In one embodiment, a liquid crystal
thermometer is applied to the outside of the container (e.g., an IV
bag) holding the slurry. Suitable liquid crystal thermometers
capable of measuring temperatures between -30.degree. C. to
0.degree. C. are available under Part No. 427-1 from Telatemp
Corporation of Anaheim, Calif. In another embodiment, an additive
in either the slurry or the container holding the slurry can change
color to indicate an appropriate and/or inappropriate temperature.
Similarly, a temperature monitor can be used to indicate
inappropriate storage or transport conditions for the slurry.
Slurry Delivery
[0144] The injectable slurry can be introduced using various
parenteral delivery systems and techniques including gravity flow,
injection through a syringe, a cannula, a catheter, tubing, and/or
a pump, and the like. A control device can control the flow rate,
volume, and or pressure of the injected slurry in order to extract
a desired amount of heat from tissue adjacent to the injection
site.
[0145] Optionally, an imaging technique such as ultrasound,
magnetic resonance, x-ray, and the like can be utilized to verify
the proper positioning of the injection device and/or the slurry.
In particular, ice is a very strong reflector of ultrasound, while
lipid rich cells are poor reflectors of ultrasound. Ultrasound
imaging is a convenient "bedside" imaging modality with sufficient
contrast and depth of imaging to guide and/or monitor
administration of the slurry.
Therapeutic Applications of Injectable Slurries
[0146] The injectable slurries described herein can be utilized to
target all tissue types including, but not limited to, connective,
epithelial, neural, joint, cardiac, adipose, hepatic, renal,
vascular, cutaneous, and muscle tissues. The injectable slurry
advantageously can focus a cooling effect direct at the site of the
targeted tissue without the challenges of diffusion of heat or
perfusion tissue.
[0147] Referring now to FIG. 6, a general method of treatment 600
using injectable slurries is provided. Although depicted in a
linear manner, step(s) can be omitted, repeated, or executed in
various orders.
[0148] In step S602, the amount of heat to be extracted is
determined. The amount of heat to be extracted can be routine and
predictable, particularly for treatment of small structures such as
nerves and can be specified a priori, e.g., as part of approval of
a medical device or procedure, as part of the instruction manual
for a medical device, and/or as a preset control parameter in a
medical device. In other embodiments, the amount of heat to be
extracted can depend on the amount of tissue to be treated, the
location of the treatment site, and other attributes of the
subject.
[0149] In step S604, the treatment parameters are selected.
Treatment parameters can include the composition of the slurry
(e.g., the ice content and additive content) and the temperature,
which together (particularly the ice content) determine the cooling
power of the slurry. (The additive content largely influences the
temperature of the slurry.) Exemplary ice content and additive
content is discussed herein. Exemplary temperatures of the slurry
include about +10.degree. C., about +9.degree. C., about +8.degree.
C., about +7.degree. C., about +6.degree. C., about +5.degree. C.,
about +4.degree. C., about +3.degree. C., about +2.degree. C.,
about +1.degree. C., about 0.degree. C., about -1.degree. C., about
-2.degree. C., about -3.degree. C., about -4.degree. C., about
-5.degree. C., about -6.degree. C., about -7.degree. C., about
-8.degree. C., about -9.degree. C., about -10.degree. C., about
-11.degree. C., about -12.degree. C., about -13.degree. C., about
-14.degree. C., about -15.degree. C., between about -15.degree. C.
and about -25.degree. C., between about -25.degree. C. and about
-50.degree. C., between about -50.degree. C. and about -75.degree.
C., and the like.
[0150] Without being bound by theory, Applicant notes that heat of
fusion for lipids is about half of the heat of fusion for water and
believes that about 2 units of fat volume can be treated with about
1 unit of slurry volume. It may be desirable to be conservative in
the amount of slurry injected, particularly when the treatment site
is proximate to nerves, blood vessels, organs, and the like.
[0151] In step S606, the slurry is optionally allowed to reach the
desired temperature. This can be achieved by allowing the slurry to
sit at room temperature or in a controlled temperature environment
until its temperature rises to the desired temperature. The slurry
can be optionally be stirred or agitated to promote an even
temperature distribution. The slurry can optionally be placed in an
insulated container to preserve the slurry at the desired
temperature. Likewise, the catheters, needles, and/or tubing used
to deliver the slurry to the subject can optionally be insulated
(e.g., with dead-air space or rubbers such as neoprene) to minimize
temperature rise.
[0152] In step S608, vasoconstriction is optionally applied, e.g.,
through physical means such as suction or pressure or chemical
means such as epinephrine injections.
[0153] In step S610, the application site is optionally pre-cooled
to minimize melting of the slurry upon injection. In one
embodiment, one or more thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling devices
can be used to pre-cool tissue to a desired temperature prior to
injection of a slurry. Suitable thermoelectric coolers are
available from TE Technology, Inc. of Traverse City, Mich. and
Quanta Aesthetic Lasers USA of Englewood, Colo.
[0154] In step S612, one or more cryoprotectant approaches can
optionally be employed.
[0155] For example, energy can be applied to tissue adjacent to the
target tissue in order to protect the adjacent tissue from
undesired cooling and/or enable more aggressive cooling of the
target tissue. Energy can be applied simultaneous with the slurry,
in an oscillating manner, in response to feedback, and the like.
Suitable energy sources include radiofrequency (RF) energy
generating units that can be adapted, configured, and/or programmed
to generate monopolar, bipolar, capacitively-coupled, and/or
conductively-coupled RF energy. The RF energy can have a frequency
between about 0.3 MHz and about 100 MHz. Other suitable energy
sources include coherent light sources, incoherent light sources,
heated fluid sources, resistive (Ohmic) heaters, microwave
generators (e.g., producing frequencies between about 915 MHz and
about 2.45 GHz), and ultrasound generators (e.g., producing
frequencies between about 300 KHZ and about 3 GHz).
[0156] In another example, one or more cryoprotectants (e.g.,
glycerol, propylene glycol, and the like) can be applied to protect
non-lipid-rich tissue from cold-induced injury. The cryoprotectant
can be applied topically to the epidermis and/or can be injected
into a desired region.
[0157] In step S614, an injection device is inserted into the
subject. As discussed herein, suitable injection devices include
hypodermic needles, cannulas, catheters, and the like. The location
and depth of insertion can vary to reflect the target region. For
example, the injection device can be inserted to an appropriate
depth for parenteral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or interstitial
injections.
[0158] In step S616, the location of the injection can be verified,
e.g., through ultrasonic or x-ray imaging. Alternatively, the
slurry can be administered through a "blind" injection.
[0159] In step S618, a foamy slurry or biocompatible foam is
optionally injected as described herein to insulate a later
injected slurry.
[0160] In step S620, feedback about the injection is obtained.
Feedback can include additional imaging of the slurry, resistance
to further injection, input from the patient (particularly when the
slurry contains an anesthetic), information about the treatment
site (e.g., using the feedback devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,367,341 and 8,840,608) and the like. For example, ice particles
in the slurry are radiopaque and can be readily visualized using
ultrasound.
[0161] In step S622, the slurry is injected. Applicant has found
that hand pressure typical of that provided to a syringe is
sufficient for injection, but higher mechanical pressure can be
used as well. The slurry can be injected in discrete,
pre-determined volumes or can be injected until a medical
professional determines that the injection should cease, e.g., due
to increased pressure or resistance to further injection or having
injected a desired volume of slurry.
[0162] In step S624, feedback about the injection is obtained.
[0163] In step S626, the slurry is optionally withdrawn, for
example using the methods and devices described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2013/0190744. In many cases,
particularly subdermal injections, the slurry will be left in the
body to melt and be absorbed. In some embodiments, the suction can
be applied concurrently, intermittently, and/or alternatingly to
injection of a slurry. For example, a filtered or smaller gauge
cannula can be inserted adjacent to or coaxial with an injection
device as depicted in FIGS. 27A-27C to remove melted fluid during a
procedure while leaving most or all of the ice particles in the
injection site. Such an embodiment can be particularly useful for
anatomically constrained targets such as nerves in which injecting
large volumes of slurry poses challenges.
[0164] In step S628, the injection device is removed from the
injection site.
[0165] In step S630, the injection site is assessed. Assessment can
be performed during or after the procedure to assess the effect of
the injected slurry. Assessment can be performed by a medical
professional and/or by the subject and can include self-reporting,
photography, calipers, MRI, as well as the imaging devices
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,367,341 and 8,840,608.
[0166] All or portions of this method can, but need not, be
repeated one or more times for the same injection site and/or
target tissue. Multiple injections can be performed in a serial,
overlapping, or parallel manner.
[0167] In one embodiment, the cryoslurry is injected at a
sufficient volume to cause tumescent swelling of the injection
site. In another embodiment, a plurality of injection sites each
receive an effective amount of slurry for treating a small region
of tissue. For example, injections of substantially uniform volumes
of slurry can be made in a grid or other pattern.
[0168] In some embodiments, serial injections are made within a
single treatment session. For example, a first injection can be
made to pre-cool the area before a second injection is made to
achieve the desired clinical or cosmetic cooling effect. The
formulation of these serial injections can vary. For example, the
second injection can have a higher or lower cooling power than the
first injection.
Cryoneurolysis
[0169] A major limitation of medical nerve blocks is their limited
duration, which last for hours but not even one day. When somewhat
longer relief of pain is needed, constant or repeated infusions of
anesthetics are sometimes performed through a needle or through an
indwelling catheter, but typically chronic pain is the setting for
use of potent analgesics such as opiates, with associated high risk
of side effects including addiction.
[0170] As discussed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/042,979, filed Aug. 28, 2014, cold and particularly slurries can
be used to provide long-term, but reversible inhibition of nerve
function. The slurries described herein can provide unprecedented
long-lasting reduction or full relief of pain, regardless of its
cause.
[0171] Methods of the invention can also be used to reduce or
eliminate symptoms associated with pain disorders caused by
surgery, such as any surgery that makes an incision through the
skin and induces pain. This includes thoracic surgery pain (e.g.,
treatment of incisional surgical pain) caused by thoracic surgery.
The slurry can be injected prior, during or after incision.
[0172] Methods of the invention can also reduce or eliminate
symptoms associated with motor disorders including, but not limited
to, hemifacial spasm, laryngospasm and gustatory hyperhidrosis.
Methods of the invention can also be used to reduce muscle spasms
caused by aberrant nerve firing such as bladder or facial spasms.
Methods of the invention can also be used to target motor nerves if
prolonged paralysis of a motor nerve is desired.
[0173] The solution comprising the slurry can be administered to
the peripheral nerves of the subject by injection, infusion or
tumescent pumping of the slurry into a nerve or nerves such as
peripheral, subcutaneous or autonomic nerves of the subject by
injection into a nerve or nerves selected from the group consisting
of the cutaneous nerve, trigeminal nerve, ilioinguinal nerve,
intercostal nerve, interscalene nerve, supraclavicular nerve,
infraclavicular nerve, axillary nerve, pudendal nerve,
paravertebral nerve, transverse abdominis nerve, lumbar plexus
nerve, femoral nerve, and sciatic nerve.
[0174] Methods of the invention can also reduce or eliminate pain
associated with a nerve plexus (i.e., a group of intersecting
nerves) including but not limited to the cervical plexus that
serves the head, neck and shoulders, the brachial plexus that
serves the chest, shoulders, arms and hands, the lumbar plexus that
serves the back, abdomen, groin, thighs, knees, and calves, the
sacral plexus that serves the pelvis, buttocks, genitals, thighs,
calves, and feet, the celiac plexus (solar plexus) that serves
internal organs, the coccygeal plexus that serves a small region
over the coccyx, the Auerbach's plexus that serves the
gastrointestinal tract and Meissner's plexus (submucosal plexus)
that serves the gastrointestinal tract.
[0175] Methods of the invention can also be used for renal
sympathetic denervation, which is an emerging therapy for the
treatment of severe and/or resistant hypertension.
[0176] Injecting a physiological slurry around a particular sensory
nerve specifically blocks conduction of that nerve, leading to
sensory losses in the entire distribution of the target nerve.
Thus, slurry injection can relieve pain and/or itch over a very
large region of skin, muscle, joints, and the like that are
"served" by a particular target nerve. In previous animal studies,
it has been shown that cooling can also block motor nerves. Many
nerves in the human body have mixed sensory and motor function. For
a mixed nerve, it is often desirable to block sensation but not
motor function. (Temporary motor loss may be less of a concern if
the subject has already lost motor function, e.g., through
amputation.) The anatomy of the peripheral nervous system is such
that the motor and sensory nerve fibers become fully separated near
the spine. A prolonged and specific block of sensory functions
associated with spinal nerve level(s), can be obtained by prolonged
block of the sensory nerve root using slurry injection. Slurry
injection, with or without ultrasound guidance, to the sensory
portion of the peripheral nerve can provide prolonged, specific
relief of pain. The step of injection for slurry is similar to
injection of medical anesthetic nerve blocks.
[0177] It is further noted that the slurries described herein can
be utilized to provide long-term, but reversible inhibition of the
autonomic sympathetic nerves adjacent to the renal artery to treat
hypertension. Other exemplary nerve targets include the sympathetic
and parasympathetic nerves.
Cryolipolysis
[0178] The slurries described herein can be utilized to provide
selective reduction of lipid-rich cells.
[0179] Slurry injection provides several improvements over
cryolipolysis using external cooling device for subcutaneous fat
reduction, due, in part, to the high cooling power of injectable
slurries. First, local slurry injection requires only a few minutes
of active time to achieve the desired temperatures. Second, slurry
injection appears induce the loss of a greater thickness of
subcutaneous fat more rapidly (e.g., within 3 weeks to 5 weeks).
The greater efficacy probably arises because, unlike surface
cooling, slurry extracts heat directly from the target tissue
layer, and provides a much faster cooling rate in the target
tissue. Third, slurry injections can avoid the epidermis and dermis
and approaches that are commercially utilized to detect epidermal
temperatures and protect against damage to non-lipid-rich cells.
For example and without being bound by theory, it is believed that
the dermis and/or epidermis will remain within 15.degree. C. of
normal physiological temperature during most subcutaneous slurry
injections into adipose tissue. Before, during, and/or after slurry
injection into subcutaneous tissue, warming of the skin can be
performed, e.g., by application of a warm object or by radiant
heating. Fourth, slurry injection is not limited for depth or
location of treatment. Slurry can be injected superficially,
deeply, or throughout the subcutaneous fat layer and is not limited
by the geometries of the subject's skin and the topical applicator.
Fifth, slurry injection can be done with greater anatomic accuracy.
Physicians are generally very skilled at performing injections,
even without ultrasound guidance. With ultrasound guidance, in
which the needle cannula or catheter used for injection can be
directly seen, slurry can be placed with high accuracy. As noted
above, the slurry itself can be visualized by ultrasound, such that
the treated tissue is well-defined and known during treatment.
Finally, slurries can be administered without the use of large
thermoelectric devices used in commercial cryolipolysis
systems.
[0180] Slurry injections can also quickly numb the nerves adjacent
to the treatment site(s), potentially eliminating or reducing the
use of anesthesia used in commercial cryolipolysis procedures.
[0181] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that
cryolipolysis can be achieved through injections of slurries at
temperatures of about +5.degree. C. and lower. Without being bound
by theory, it is believed that higher ice content slurries will be
most effective in extracting sufficient heat to achieve
cryolipolysis in clinically and/or cosmetically significant numbers
of adipose cells. For example, slurries having at least about 50%
(.+-.30%) ice by weight may be preferred. In order to improve the
injectability of slurry and the ability of slurry to infiltrate
subcutaneous adipose tissue, chemical (e.g., freezing point
depressants) and thermal (e.g., warmer coolant) techniques can be
used to make any dendritic shaped ice particles more globular.
Prior to injection of slurry, addition of a biocompatible
exothermic solute may be added to further decrease the temperature
of slurry. In some embodiments, the slurry includes an effective
amount of a lipolytic agent such as those described herein.
[0182] The amount of slurry and/or the slurry ice content to be
injected can be calculated and calibrated to produce a desired
amount of cryolipolysis. Without being bound by theory, it is
believed that cooling effects of slurries can be tightly controlled
such that two slurries having the same composition and physical
characteristics will produce substantially the same amount of
cryolipolysis if injected into the same location under the same
physiological conditions.
[0183] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the
slurries described herein can be utilized to achieve cooling rates
above about -2.degree. C. per minute. For example, the cooling rate
can be greater than about -10.degree. C. per minute, greater than
about -20.degree. C. per minute, greater than about -30.degree. C.
per minute, greater than about -40.degree. C. per minute, greater
than about -50.degree. C. per minute, greater than about
-60.degree. C. per minute, greater than about -70.degree. C. per
minute, greater than about -80.degree. C. per minute, greater than
about -90.degree. C. per minute, greater than about -100.degree. C.
per minute, greater than about -110.degree. C. per minute, greater
than about -120.degree. C. per minute, and the like. For example,
Applicant has achieved cooling rates of about -117.degree. C. per
minute in tissue in contact with slurry and about and -26.degree.
C. per minute in adjacent adipose tissue. Cryolipolysis via slurry
injection can be applied to variety of regions in which fat
reduction is desired for medical and/or cosmetic reasons. Exemplary
regions include the abdomen, flanks (also known as "love handles"),
buttocks, thighs, arms, neck, chin (e.g., treatment of submental
fullness also known as a "double chin"), and the like.
Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
[0184] Sleep apnea is due to upper airway obstruction during sleep.
Sleep apnea causes poor quality sleep, wakening, organ damage from
hypoxia (including myocardial infarctions, stroke, and cumulative
brain injury), and is a frequent cause of death in obese
individuals. The prevalence of sleep apnea has been steadily
increasing in the US due to obesity. Present treatments are
generally aimed at reducing the degree of obesity (through diet,
exercise, medications, and/or surgery) and at keeping the airway
open during sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) helps
to keep the airway patent, but requires wearing a close-fitting
mask and pressure apparatus all night. These often fall off during
sleep, leak, or are uncomfortable enough that sleep can be
disrupted simply by wearing them. Occlusion of the airway is
strongly related to the amount of fat located in deep fat pads
located at the base of the tongue and along the soft palate and
lateral pharynx. Surgical procedures have been developed, for
example, to suspend the palate or debride pharyngeal fat, but these
ultimately also cause scarring, often fail to open the airway
sufficiently, are painful and cause local edema during healing that
can precipitate worse sleep apnea, airway obstruction, respiratory
distress and death.
[0185] Injection of physiological ice slurry into the subglottal,
palatal and/or pharyngeal fat is a novel treatment for sleep apnea.
Guidance by ultrasound for accurate placement and injection of
slurry within the target tissue is also a novel method. These fat
compartments are distinct from subcutaneous fat. They can be
visualized by ultrasound, as regions of echolucency (low signal)
compared with surrounding muscle, fascia and other structures.
Slurry with a high ice content is particularly desirable to
minimize the volume of injected slurry needed for effective
reduction of the target fat. During about 6 weeks after treatment,
injection of slurry into the fat will induce gradual reduction in
the amount of fat, resulting in improvement or cure of the
patient's sleep apnea. The intrinsic selectivity of this treatment
for fat is such that adjacent muscle, fascia, salivary gland and
other tissues are spared from injury, while reliable reduction of
the target fat can be achieved. Unlike surgery, this would be an
office procedure performed with little or no anesthesia. Unlike
surgery, there would be no scarring because the treatment is
intrinsically selective for the lipid-rich adipose tissue causing
sleep apnea. The post-treatment pain, inflammation and risk of
airway compromise will be less than surgical procedures, because
adjacent tissues are not affected. Unlike CPAP, injection of
physiological ice slurry provides a permanent improvement and does
not interfere with sleep.
[0186] Exemplary regions that can be targeted include the
anterolateral upper airway, pharyngeal fat pads (for example, fatty
deposits in the laryngopharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and
palatopharynx), parapharyngeal fat pads (for example, fatty
deposits in the retropalatal and retroglossal regions), fat located
within the tongue (e.g., within the posterior tongue), and soft
palate. Without being bound by theory, it is also believed that
treatment with the slurries described herein will thicken septa and
tighten skin, which can also reduce the tendency of the airway to
collapse.
[0187] Injections can be made through the mouth or through the neck
in order to best target a particular region of fat while avoiding
adjacent nerves, blood vessels, and other structures. The amount of
fat removed per treatment can be adjusted by adjusting the volume
and/or ice content of the injected slurry, and precise location of
the fat removed can be adjusted by location of the injection(s).
Multiple courses of treatment that each remove a small volume of
fat from fat located in the tongue, neck, palate, pharynx and/or
tonsil may be preferred in order to minimize temporary airway
constriction due to the added slurry volume.
[0188] This novel method for treatment of sleep apnea can have a
major impact on health care, including reducing the morbidity,
heart attacks, stroke and death associated with obesity.
Treatment of Spinal Cord Lipomas and Lipomyelomeningocele
[0189] Spinal cord lipomas and lipomyelomeningocele are both
associated with abnormal fat accumulation in and around the spinal
cord. A spinal cord lipoma is fat within the normally positioned
spinal cord without any skin or bony abnormalities. These lesions
are most commonly located within the thoracic spinal cord. Although
rare, these lesions can cause severe morbidity. They may be
symptomatic and appear most often in adults. Patients can present
with spinal cord compression that can cause numbness and tingling,
weakness, difficulty with urinating or bowel movements,
incontinence, and stiffness of the extremities.
[0190] The current treatment for symptomatic lipomas around the
spinal cord the treatment of choice is a laminectomy to gain access
to the spinal cord. The goal of surgery is to reduce the size of
the lipoma, not total removal of the fat. No other treatment method
is recommended.
[0191] Embodiments of the invention utilize injection of cold
slurry to specifically target the spinal lipomas without the need
to do laminectomy as cold slurry could be directly injected into
the lipoma through a needle. With the use of ultrasound guidance,
the lipoma can be located and specifically destroyed via a cold
slurry injection. This novel method of treating lipomas will reduce
the morbidity associated with surgical procedures
[0192] The slurry injection method of treatment can be used for any
lipomas around the nerves including peripheral nerves. Lipomas may
also grow near or surrounding important peripheral nerves.
Therefore, their removal can cause nerve injury and possible
paralysis. Common locations include the neck, buttock, and forearm.
Again, injection of the slurry into the lipomas to selectively
target them will reduce the need for surgery.
[0193] Lipomyelomeningocele (LMM) is a common and severe closed
neural tube defect in children. Lipomyelomeningocele lies within
the spectrum of closed neural tube defects. It represents a complex
disorder that may present with neurological deficits secondary to
the inherent tethered cord. This is a lesion present at birth that
is commonly associated with spina bifida (congenital failure of the
spinal bones to close). The condition is associated with abnormal
fat accumulation that starts below the skin and extends through the
bony opening to the spinal cord. These lesions become evident
within the first few months to years of life and affect females
more than males in a 1.5 to 1 ratio. More than 90 percent of
patients will have an obvious soft tissue swelling over the spine
in the lower back. These lesions are covered by skin and are not
painful. Patients may lose neurological function within the first
few weeks after birth, but more typically, function deteriorates
over a period of months to years. Neurological symptoms usually
include weakness and bladder and bowel incontinence. The weakness
can be symmetrical or asymmetrical and can result in atrophy of the
lower extremities. In older adolescents and adults, pain may be the
driving force to bring the patient to a doctor. The pain may
radiate and be difficult to describe. Back mobility may be limited.
Surgery is the treatment of choice whenever possible, but most
cases are inoperable. The goals of surgery are to release the
attachment of the fat (tethering) to the spinal cord and reduce the
bulk of the fatty tumor. With surgery, 19 percent of patients will
improve, 75 percent will be unchanged, and 6 percent will worsen. A
fat-selective, minimally invasive treatment is likely to produce
safety and efficacy that are superior to surgery, and would make it
possible to treat inoperable cases.
[0194] Injection of cold slurry can specifically target the lipoma
and decrease its size, thus preventing neurological damage
associated with their growth. The injection needle can be guided by
ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for accurate
placement and injection of slurry within the target tissue. MRI can
provide an accurate pre-treatment "map" of the local anatomy
including bones, spinal cord and the target lipomeningiocele. The
use of slurry to treat LMM will offer a novel, less morbid and
lifesaving treatment for these pediatric patients.
Breast Reduction
[0195] Pseudogynecomastia or lipomastia in males is due to the
presence of fat deposits in the breast. This condition is more
prevalent in men with aging, overweight, certain drugs, or exposure
to estrogens including dietary sources. Currently, surgical removal
is the preferred treatment. Applicant believes that injection of
embodiments of the slurries described herein into the excess fat
around the breast tissue will be less invasive technique with less
morbidity.
[0196] Additionally, slurry injections can be used for female
breast reduction procedures, particularly, as a substitute to
liposuction-only techniques indicated for minor-to-moderate volume
reduction. The increase in connective tissue discussed in greater
detail herein also can provide a firming and lifting effect to
either the breast or pectoral region.
Treatment of Epicardial and Pericardial Fat
[0197] The slurries described herein can be utilized to treat
epicardial and/or pericardial fat. Such treatments can be used for
the prevention of coronary artery disease and coronary
atherosclerosis, prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation
and atrial tachyarrhythmias, and prevention and treatment of
ventricular tachyarrhythmia.
[0198] Thoracic fat includes extra-pericardial (outside the
visceral pericardium) and intra-pericardial (inside the visceral
pericardium) adipose tissue. It is called ectopic adipose tissue
although it is a normal anatomical structure. Intra-pericardial
adipose tissue, which is predominantly composed of epicardial and
pericoronary adipose tissue, has a significant role in
cardiovascular system function. The epicardial fat is located
between the myocardium and visceral pericardium and the pericardial
fat, is located outside the visceral pericardium and on the
external surface of the parietal pericardium. Epicardial and
pericardial fat are embryologically different.
[0199] Recent studies have suggested that increased epicardial fat
could be an important risk factor for cardiac disease. It secretes
pro-inflammatory cytokines that can lead to development of coronary
artery disease (CAD). In humans, there is a positive association
between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and coronary
atherosclerosis burden. Prospective case-cohort and case-control
studies have shown that EAT volume predicted future CAD events and
myocardial ischemia. These finding suggest that EAT might
contribute locally to coronary atherogenesis. In swine models, it
has been shown that selective surgical excision of adipose tissue
in direct contiguity with one of the epicardial coronary arteries
attenuated the progression of atherosclerosis, thus suggesting that
removal of epicardial fat can serve as a preventive measure for
CAD.
[0200] Pericardial fat may represent an important risk factor for
cardiovascular disease because of its unique properties and its
proximity to cardiac structures. Pericardial fat has been
associated with an adverse cardiovascular risk profile, coronary
artery calcium, and prevalent cardiovascular disease in several
studies. Pericardial fat volume (PFV) has recently been reported to
be strongly associated with CAD severity and presence. Pericardial
fat has also been associated with common arrhythmias, such as
atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia
in clinical practice and is associated with major morbidity and
mortality. AF prevalence has been projected to increase in the
coming decades and is expected to affect over 7.5 million Americans
by the year 2050. Pericardial fat has also been associated with
ventricular tachyarrhythmia and mortality from systolic heart
failure.
[0201] The slurries described herein can be utilized to treat
epicardial and/or pericardial fat by injection of slurry into
and/or around pericardial and/or epicardial fat during cardiac
surgery. Additionally or alternatively, computed tomography (CT) or
ultrasound (US) imaging can be utilized to guide a needle into the
pericardial and/or epicardial fat for slurry injections. Injections
can also be performed under direct vision of video-assisted
thorascopic surgery.
[0202] In still another embodiment, slurry can be injected into the
pericardium with or without the use of ultrasound guidance. The
main approaches to accessing the pericardium are subcostal,
parasternal and apical. In one example, pericardiocentesis can be
performed using a long, thin needle or catheter (e.g., 7-9 cm, 18
G). At normal physiologic conditions, there is less than 50 ml of
fluid in the pericardial space. In acute conditions, this space can
hold a volume of up to 200 ml without hemodynamic compromise and
can hold more than 500 ml if fluid accumulates chronically. Hence,
one could postulate that there is a safe therapeutic window in
which volumes of slurry could be injected and either removed from
the pericardium or left in the pericardium.
Treatment of Visceral Fat
[0203] The slurries described herein can be utilized to provide
selective reduction of lipid rich cells such as visceral fat in
accordance with the methods described in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2013/0190744. For example, the slurries described
herein can be introduced into the abdominal and/or peritoneal
cavity. Such injections can reduce lipid-rich cells in structures
such as the omentum and the perinephrium and regions such the
perigonadal, retroperitoneal, and mesenteric regions of the
body.
Non-Selective Cryoablation
[0204] In addition to selectively targeting lipid-rich cells in the
methods discussed above, embodiments of the slurries described
herein can be utilized in traditional cryoablation techniques
including prostate cryoablation, renal cryoablation, cardiac
cryoablation, fibroadenoma cryoablation, and the like. Traditional
cryoablation is performed with various invasive probe devices at
very low temperatures, typically about -30.degree. C. to
-100.degree. C. Tissue destruction is not selective for lipid-rich
cells at these temperatures. An injected slurry with high
osmolality and high ice content can achieve temperatures below
-20.degree. C., and could be used for these non-selective
procedures, with some advantages over existing cryogen probe
devices.
Connective Tissue Enhancement
[0205] Selective loss of fat produces an increase in the relative
amount of connective tissue at and/or near the site of slurry
injection. By affecting primarily the adipocytes and removing fat,
the connective tissue septae that supported the fat remain and
become thicker. This is clearly seen in both histology and gross
tissue images from the swine experiments. Fat is generally mobile
and weakly supportive. The relative increase in connective tissue
after treatment provides better support for the overlying skin.
After cryolipolysis treatments, Applicant observed clinically that
laxity (sagging) improves dramatically.
[0206] In other words, adipose tissue is a connective tissue, but
it tends to become lax. Slurry injection removes the adipocytes,
but preserves and stimulates the septae, resulting in less laxity
and greater mechanical support. Histology and also gross images
such as FIGS. 13A and 13B clearly show that slurry injection into
adipose tissue causes this change.
[0207] This effect provides an added benefit to procedures such as
cryolipolysis, breast reduction, and treatment of obstructive sleep
apnea, pseudogynecomastia, and lipomastia, but can be used for the
sole purpose of skin tightening.
Pelvic Floor Strengthening and/or Tightening
[0208] The pelvic floor is the supportive apparatus that holds the
pelvic organs in place. Pelvic floor dysfunction (e.g., due to
pelvic floor laxity) can cause abnormal defecation, urinary
dysfunction, prolapse, pain, and sexual dysfunction.
[0209] The slurries and methods described herein can be applied to
strengthen and/or tighten the pelvic floor. For example, slurries
can be injected (e.g., through transurethral, transvaginally, or
transperitoneal injections) adjacent to the pelvic floor to induce
tightening and/or thickening of the pelvic floor in order to better
support one or more pelvic organs.
Treatment of Urinary Incontinence
[0210] In a recent survey among women aged 25-84 in the United
States, an estimated 15% report experiencing stress incontinence
and 13% report experiencing urge incontinence/"overactive bladder."
These two etiologies of incontinence are due to separate
mechanisms, though both mechanisms may be experienced by a single
patient.
[0211] Stress incontinence is the most common type of incontinence
in younger women, often from urethral hypermobility, which is due
to insufficient support from the pelvic floor. This lack of support
is due to a loss of connective tissue. This loss of support is also
associated with other conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse and
problems with defecation (both constipation and incontinence).
Administration of the slurries described herein in the pelvic area
can thicken the connective tissue and thereby increase the support
of the pelvic floor. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention
provides a method for treating stress urinary incontinence in a
subject in need thereof. The method comprises administering to the
connective tissue of the pelvic floor of the subject a
therapeutically effective amount of a slurry described herein.
[0212] In contrast, urgency incontinence is due to overactivity of
the detrusor muscle. The slurries described herein can be used as
an injectable therapy to inhibit neural input to the bladder.
Strengthening of Abdominal Wall
[0213] Abdominal laxity can lead to hernias or cosmetically
bothersome abdominal protrusions. The slurries described herein can
be used to cause skin tightening and/or tightening of the fascia
supporting the abdominal wall to prevent and/or remedy hernias or
abdominal protrusions.
WORKING EXAMPLES
Quantitative Model to Illustrate the Behavior of Injected
Slurries
[0214] Simplifying and reasonable assumptions are made in a
quantitative model to illustrate the behavior of injected slurries,
as depicted in FIG. 33A.
[0215] Heat capacity is an important component of the heat exchange
between a slurry and a tissue. The first heat exchange to consider
is that of the energy stored by the heat capacity of slurry and
tissue. The energy per unit volume in a medium stored by heat
capacity is given by H=T.rho.C, where H is energy density
(cal/cm.sup.3), T is temperature (.degree. C.), .rho. is density
(gm/cm.sup.3), and C is specific heat capacity (cal/.degree. C.
gm). Assume that .rho.C is the same for slurry and tissue and
water, i.e. .rho.C=1 cal/gm-.degree. C. This assumption is
approximately true for all soft tissues except fat, for which
.rho.C is lower by about a factor of 2.
[0216] Consider a local volume of tissue into which slurry has been
introduced. When slurry is introduced with a volume fraction of
f.sub.s into local tissue, the local tissue occupies a volume
fraction of (1-f.sub.s). The stored heat per unit volume of the
resulting slurry-tissue mix due to heat capacity of the slurry is
H.sub.s=f.sub.s T.sub.s.rho.C, and the stored heat per unit volume
due to heat capacity of the tissue is
H.sub.t=(1-f.sub.s)T.sub.t.rho.C. After rapid exchange of the
thermal energy due to heat capacity, a new temperature T.sub.m is
achieved. Thermal energy due to heat capacity of the mix is given
by H.sub.m=T.sub.m.rho.C. Conservation of energy in the local heat
exchange requires that H.sub.s+H.sub.t=H.sub.m. Combining the
equations:
f.sub.sT.sub.s.rho.C+(1-f.sub.s)T.sub.t.rho.C=T.sub.m.rho.C
Solving for T.sub.m, the slurry-tissue mix temperature after this
initial part of heat exchange:
T.sub.m=f.sub.sT.sub.s+(1-f.sub.s)T.sub.t
Because the temperature of physiological ice slurries is generally
close to 0, this simplifies to:
T.sub.m=(1-f.sub.s)T.sub.t
The rapid heat exchange upon mixing due to heat capacity alone is
the volume-weighted average of the two starting temperatures. For
example, if f.sub.s=0, no slurry is added, and T.sub.m=T.sub.t, the
starting tissue temperature. If f.sub.s=1, the mix is all slurry,
and T.sub.m=0. If f.sub.s=0.5, there is a 50%-50% mix of slurry and
tissue, and the resultant temperature after mixing is the average
of the slurry and the tissue starting temperatures. Typical values
of f.sub.s for interstitial injection of a slurry range from about
0.2 to about 0.8, i.e., the mixed slurry-tissue volume may have
about 20% to 80% slurry content. Also consider the situation of
f.sub.s=0.5. If the starting tissue temperature T.sub.t is
37.degree. C., then Tm=18.5.degree. C. after exchange of heat from
heat capacity.
[0217] The volume fraction of ice in a physiological slurry in this
model is defined as I.sub.s, being the volume of ice per unit
volume of slurry. Immediately after injection into tissue, the
initial volume fraction of ice in the local slurry-tissue mix, is
therefore:
I.sub.o=f.sub.sI.sub.s
wherein I.sub.o is the total amount of ice available for melting,
per unit volume of the slurry-tissue mix.
[0218] After the rapid heat exchange from heat capacity, ice in the
slurry component of the slurry-tissue mix begins to melt, absorbing
heat and cooling the slurry-tissue mix. Ice in the slurry-tissue
mix melts until it is gone, or until an equilibrium temperature is
reached, before the period of gradual warming by body heat exchange
briefly discussed above. In pure water, ice and liquid water can
co-exist at equilibrium temperatures between 0.degree. C. and
4.degree. C. In tissue, there are numerous solutes that cause
freezing point depression, such that ice and water co-exist over a
somewhat lower temperature range, e.g., about -8.degree. C. to
0.degree. C. in skin. Lipids in the tissue are in a liquid state at
normal body temperature. As cooling of the slurry-tissue mix occurs
due to ice melting, below a certain temperature lipids can
crystallize. In essence, there is a heat exchange between the
latent heat of fusion from melting ice, and the latent heat of
fusion from lipid crystallization. These two processes proceed in
opposite directions (e.g., the water melts, the lipids crystallize)
because lipid crystallization occurs at temperatures considerably
higher than the freezing point of water. Most animal fats
crystallize at between 10.degree. C. and 15.degree. C., depending
on the length and saturation of the lipid chains in triglyceride
molecules. Wax esters and free fatty acids crystallize at similar
temperatures. Polar lipids crystallize at lower temperatures, for
example the phospholipids of cell membranes can remain somewhat
fluid even well below 0.degree. C.
[0219] Injected physiological slurries are effective to inhibit
pain or itch by affecting nerve myelin sheath lipids. Lipids of the
sheath crystallize well above 0.degree. C. Effective treatment
depends on variables including the starting tissue temperature
T.sub.t, the ice content of slurry I.sub.s, the amount and speed of
slurry injected to achieve an adequate slurry fraction f.sub.s in
the slurry-tissue mix, the target lipid content of the tissue
L.sub.t, its crystallization temperature T.sub.c, and the time for
which some ice remains in the slurry-tissue mix.
[0220] Enthalpy of fusion (also called heat of fusion) describes
how much thermal energy is absorbed (endothermic) or released
(exothermic) due to changing from solid to liquid state. The
melting of ice is an endothermic transition requiring a large
amount of thermal energy. For water, the heat of fusion is 80
cal/gm. The density of ice at 0.degree. C. is 0.92, such that the
volumetric heat of fusion, H.sub.ice (the heat energy needed to
melt a volume of ice) is:
H.sub.ice=74 cal/cm.sup.3
The total heat per unit volume that can be absorbed by melting all
of the ice in the slurry-tissue mix, Q.sub.icetotal, is simply its
total ice content multiplied by H.sub.ice:
Q.sub.icetotal=f.sub.sI.sub.sH.sub.ice
[0221] Typical values as mentioned above for f.sub.s range from
about 0.2 to 0.8, and the ice content of physiological slurry can
be up to about 50% (I.sub.s.about.0.5). For the approximate maximum
of I.sub.s=0.5, the range (without limitation) for Q.sub.icetotal
in the slurry-tissue mix is therefore about 7 to 30
cal/cm.sup.3.
[0222] The heat of fusion for animal fat lipids ranges from about
30-50 cal/gm. The density of lipids range from about 0.8-0.9
gm/cm.sup.3 (e.g., palmitic triglyceride in solid phase is 0.85
gm/cm.sup.3). Taking the mean value of 40 cal/gm as the heat of
fusion, the latent heat per unit volume for crystallization of
lipids is about:
H.sub.lipid=34 cal/cm.sup.3.
[0223] Thus, the latent heat for crystallization of lipids is less
than half of that for melting of ice. Cooling of the slurry-tissue
mix proceeds by some ice melting, until the temperature reaches
about 10.degree. C., the temperature necessary for lipid
crystallization to begin. The thermal energy from consumed by
dropping the temperature of the slurry-tissue mix to about
10.degree. C. is given by:
Q.sub.to10.degree. C.=(T.sub.m-10).rho.C.
At about that temperature, whatever ice remains from the slurry
will melt, absorbing the energy necessary to crystallize about
twice its own volume of lipid. If all of the tissue lipid is
crystallized, more ice will melt and the temperature will drop
below about 10.degree. C., potentially into the approximately
-8.degree. C. to 0.degree. C. range at which ice and liquid water
can coexist in tissue. The lipid content of the slurry-tissue mix
is therefore another important factor. Defining the lipid content
of the tissue as f.sub.tlip, the lipid content of the slurry-tissue
mix is:
f.sub.mlip=(1-f.sub.s)f.sub.tlip.
[0224] The value of f.sub.tlip depends on tissue type. The lipid
content of most soft tissues ranges from about 5% (most connective
tissues) to about 80% (fat), i.e., f.sub.tlip=0.05 to 0.8. The
energy per unit volume of the slurry-tissue mix that is produced by
crystallizating all of the lipid present, is:
Q.sub.liptiotal=f.sub.mlipH.sub.lipid
[0225] During the period of latent heat exchange between ice
melting and lipid crystallization in the slurry-tissue mix, ice in
the slurry melts until all of the lipid is crystallized, or until
the ice is gone.
[0226] The fraction of the lipid in the slurry-tissue mix that
crystallizes is simply given by the energy balance:
f lipxtal = Q icetotal - Q to10.degree. C . Q icetotal
##EQU00001##
If (Q.sub.icetotal-Q.sub.to10.degree. C.)<Q.sub.liptotal, a
fraction of the lipid will crystallize, given above by
f.sub.iipxtai. If (Q.sub.icetotal-Q.sub.to10.degree.
C.)=Q.sub.liptotal, all of the lipid will crystallize and all of
the ice will melt; the temperature will remain near about
10.degree. C., the phase transition temperature for most animal
lipids. If (Q.sub.icetotal-Q.sub.to10.degree.
C.)>Q.sub.liptotal, all of the lipid will crystallize, and the
temperature will thereafter decrease below about 10.degree. C.
until all of the ice is melted or until an equilibrium exists
between ice and liquid water in the tissue, i.e., in the
temperature range of about -8.degree. C. to 0.degree. C. The lowest
temperature reached is determined by heat exchange between the
residual ice melting, and the heat capacity of the slurry-tissue
mix. The lowest temperature T.sub.final can therefore be estimated
by equating the latent heat per unit volume absorbed by melting of
the residual ice, with the heat associated with heat capacity of
the temperature drop below about 10.degree. C.
[0227] The latent heat associated with the residual ice melting
after the lipid is crystallized is
Q.sub.iceresidual=Q.sub.icetotal-Q.sub.to10.degree.
C.-Q.sub.liptotal, and the amount of residual ice per unit volume
is
I residual = Q iceresidual H ice . ##EQU00002##
The temperature drop to T.sub.final due to residual ice melting can
be estimated by: Q.sub.iceresidual.about.(10-T.sub.final).rho.C,
which rearranges to
T final .about. 10 - Q iceresidual .rho. C . ##EQU00003##
[0228] The local heat exchanges modeled above occur over a time
scale of seconds because the slurry is intimately in contact with
tissue, by mixing flowing and/or dissecting through the soft tissue
during interstitial injection. After exchange of the latent heats
from melting ice and crystallizing lipids, the temperature of the
slurry-tissue mix settles at about T.sub.final, then gradually
warms due to conduction and convection. The rate of gradual warming
depends therefore on the rates of conduction and convection. In the
absence of blood flow (convection), warming by conduction involves
a minimum characteristic time, proportional to the square of the
diameter of the local slurry-tissue mix. Typically in soft tissues,
the time in seconds for substantial warming of a region by
conduction (to 1/e of a final equilibrium value) is approximately
equal to the square of the diameter in millimeters. For example, a
10 mm diameter slurry-tissue mix would typically necessitate about
100 seconds for substantial warming, and a 30 mm diameter
slurry-tissue mix would typically necessitate about 900 seconds
(i.e., 15 minutes) for substantial warming by conduction. Depending
on the ice content, some ice may remain even after this estimated
period of substantial warming. The model presented here is
illustrative, not exact. Direct measurement of slurry and tissue
temperatures can be performed. As shown below, such measurements
are generally consistent with this approximate model.
Ex Vivo Human Abdominoplasty Tissue Experiments
[0229] Using ex vivo pig tissue and human abdominoplasty tissue
samples, Applicant tested the ability of a sterile, cold injectable
slurry to reduce the temperature of adipose tissue.
[0230] FIG. 7 depicts an ice slurry with a high concentration of
small ice particles that can be easily injected via a 15-19 gauge
needle into the subcutaneous fat tissue.
[0231] FIGS. 8A-8C depict the results of injection of an ice slurry
into human abdominoplasty adipose tissue. Ice crystals 802 are
clearly visible in the adipose tissue.
[0232] These injections of slurry into tissue create an area of
localized ice collection in the subcutaneous fat, which can be
detected by ultrasound as depicted in FIG. 9B in contrast to the
ultrasound image of human skin prior to slurry injection in FIG.
9A. This injected ice was in direct contact with the adipose
tissue. The injection of the slurry was able to reduce the
temperature of the adipose tissue below 0.degree. C., which is well
below the crystallization temperature of fat. This experiment
demonstrates that heat exchange between slurry and local fat tissue
is capable of lowering the adipose tissue temperature down to a
level sufficient to damage fat tissue and produce local fat
loss.
[0233] Slurry has many times (typically 5-8 times, depending on the
ice content) the cooling capacity of liquid coolants (such as cold
saline) and is, therefore, able to extract much more thermal energy
to selectively damage lipid rich tissue such as fat. For example,
embodiments of the sterile and biocompatible slurries described
herein generate a target tissue temperature of -3.degree. C. to
-2.degree. C. Damage to the target lipid-rich tissue tends to be
enhanced when the cooling rate is high at least in part because of
limited time for various protective tissue responses. For example,
when 20-25 cc of slurry was injected into subcutaneous fat, tissue
temperatures in the -3.degree. C. to -2.degree. C. range were
produced nearly instantaneously as depicted in FIG. 10.
[0234] FIG. 10 depicts the results of injection of slurry into ex
vivo human abdominoplasty specimen. Prior to injection, a
38.degree. C. heating pad was placed underneath the specimen to
provide constant heat mimicking human core temperature. The slurry
was injected into human fat tissue using a 60 ml syringe and 15
gauge needle with the starting fat temperature of 23.degree. C. as
measured by a thermocouple embedded into the adipose tissue. After
slurry injection, the temperature of the adipose tissue decreased
immediately down to -3.degree. C. As ice melts in the slurry,
tissue temperature in the tissue immediately adjacent to the slurry
is maintained at or below 0.degree. C. until all of the ice has
melted. A single slurry injection was able to maintain it below
0.degree. C. for at least 10-15 minutes.
[0235] The low temperatures generated by injected slurry causes
localized and selective damage to lipid-rich target tissue such as
adipose tissue and myelinated nerves.
In Vivo Swine Experiments
Investigation of Cryolipolysis in Swine
[0236] Applicant conducted experiments injecting physiological
sterile ice slurry into the subcutaneous fat of live swine. In this
controlled study, the effects of slurry injections were compared
with injection of melted slurry and of normal saline at other sites
in the same animal. Injections were performed in accordance with an
approved animal study under general anesthesia.
[0237] Applicant generated sterile biocompatible slurry with a
temperature at injection ranging from +1.degree. C. to -3.degree.
C. Prior to injection, ultrasound measurements and standardized
photographs were obtained of the sites that were to be injected in
swine. Sites were injected with cold slurry, room temperature
melted-slurry (a solution without ice), water, or normal saline.
Another control site was not injected and received brief skin
cooling only. A 15 gauge needle was used, however, Applicant
confirmed in other experiments that the same slurry composition is
injectable through a 19 gauge needle.
[0238] Sites were injected through the skin only into an area of
approximately 4 cm.times.4 cm. Approximately 20 cc of cold or room
temperature slurry and saline control were successfully delivered
to the subcutaneous fat of predestinated sites.
[0239] After the cold slurry was injected, the temperature inside
the injection site was as cold as -2.degree. C. The duration of
cooling (defined as the period in which the temperature of the
treatment site remains below +5.degree. C.) ranged from
approximately 5 to 19 minutes. After injection, the skin surface
overlying all of the injection sites (experimental and control)
becomes raised due to the volume added to fat under the skin. This
reaction subsides rapidly as the slurry or liquids injected
gradually diffuse into surrounding tissues.
[0240] At approximately 3 to 4 weeks of follow-up, injection sites
demonstrated obvious depression on gross inspection at the sites
where cold slurry was injected as depicted in FIGS. 11B, 13A, and
13B corresponding to loss of subcutaneous fat. In contrast, there
was no apparent depression at the sites where room temperature
slurry, water, and saline were injected. It is important to note
that on gross examination there was no sign of any damage to
surrounding skin tissue. In addition, there was no sign of
infection or nonspecific damage to the sites.
[0241] Ultrasound images of the sites at baseline (FIGS. 12A and
14A) and at 4 weeks after the injection (FIGS. 12B and 14B) clearly
demonstrate approximately 40-50% loss of superficial subcutaneous
fat tissue only in the sites injected with cold slurry.
[0242] Referring now to FIGS. 20A and 20B, further experiments were
conducted on another pig using normal saline plus 10% glycerol
slurry, room temperature (melted) slurry, both with and without
precooling. FIG. 20A depicts injection sites before injection and
FIG. 20B depicts injection sites 14 days after injection. On gross
observation, there is no difference between the fat loss at
pre-cooling plus slurry and slurry alone, indicating that a single
injection of slurry deep in the subcutaneous fat layer, superficial
to the muscular fascia is able to induce highly rapid, effective
loss of subcutaneous fat even when the tissue is not
pre-cooled.
[0243] In sites where the slurry was injected deep into the muscle,
Applicant has not yet observed any muscular abnormalities,
depressions or obvious effect of slurry on muscle tissue.
Histologic analysis by Applicant has also shown that muscle tissue
is not affected by slurry, thus supporting the hypothesis that only
lipid rich tissue is targeted by cryoslurry.
[0244] FIG. 21 depicts a graph of cooling at three points. T3
represents the temperature of adipose tissue inside the pocket of
slurry injection. T2 represents the temperature of adipose tissue
adjacent to the pocket of slurry injection. T4 represents the
temperature of skin adjacent to the pocket of slurry injection.
[0245] FIGS. 22A-22D are photographs of injection site 11, which
received an injection of normal slurry with 10% glycerol at
-4.1.degree. C. FIGS. 22A and 22B depict the site pre-injection
while FIGS. 22C and 22D depict the prominent depression 8 weeks
post-injection.
[0246] The results of these experiments indicate that slurry
injected into the subcutaneous fat leads to dramatic fat loss
within 2-3 weeks after one injection based on ultrasound images and
gross observation. Additionally, IM (intramuscular) injection of
slurry did not cause any gross tissue abnormalities. Cryoslurry is
safe and effective in targeting lipid rich tissue such as
subcutaneous fat even when adjacent to muscle or other
non-lipid-rich tissue. No unwanted side effect such as skin
necrosis, muscle necrosis, infection, damage to other cutaneous
structures was observed after injection based on photographs and
histology. Swine was able to tolerate close to 600 ml of slurry
injections into subcutaneous fat without any sign of volume
overload or systemic abnormalities. Moreover, the rate of cooling
is very rapid and the rate and extent of cooling is related to
proximity to injected slurry as depicted in FIG. 21.
[0247] Further injections were performed on another swine as
summarized in Table 6 below. 1-2 cycles of 30 cc of slurry were
injected into the subcutaneous fat. In order to demonstrate the
presence or absence of indentation of the subcutaneous fat, a ruler
was place horizontal to the skin and lit from the bottom. Light
passing under (i.e., between the skin surface and straight edge) is
indicative of indentation due to fat loss.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Pig Experiments FIGS. Site Slurry
Composition Slurry Temperature 26A & 26B 23 6% Hetastarch +
Lactated Ringer's Solution -0.8.degree. C. (+25 cc Room Temp Normal
Saline for Thermal Smoothing) 26C & 26D 25 6% Hetastarch +
Lactated Ringer's Solution -0.2.degree. C. (first (+25 cc Room Temp
Normal Saline for Thermal injection) Smoothing) -0.4.degree. C.
(second injection) 26E & 26F 27 Lactated Ringer's Solution +
10% Glycerol (5% in -3.2.degree. C. Slurry, 5% Pre-Injected) 26G
& 26H 28 5% Glycerol + Lactated Ringer's Solution +0.7.degree.
C. 26I-26K 29 Normal Saline -0.2.degree. C.
[0248] These experiments highlight the role of ions (e.g.,
potassium, chlorides, magnesium, calcium, and the like) in
increasing the cooling power of slurries as well as the function of
two-phase (i.e., ice and liquid) slurries on fat loss.
Additionally, thermal smoothing as used at Sites 23 and 25 and
chemical smoothing in Site 27 improved the flowability of slurry
and reduction of fat. Thermal smoothing refers to allowing a slurry
to partially melt prior to injection. Ice particles in a slurry
freshly made by mechanically pulverizing ice, have various
polygonal shapes, similar to the gravel produced when rock is
pulverized. Such particles tend to interlock, limiting flowability.
Partial melting produces more rounded ice particles, and a slurry
with greater flowability for a given particle size and ice content.
Other methods to improve flowability include using smaller ice
particles, lower ice content, adding solute and/or surfactants
prior to use of the slurry. Both isotonic and hypertonic solutions
were shown to be capable of inducing fat loss. Additionally,
slurries containing colloid solutions such as 6% hetastarch in
Lactated Ringer's solution are capable of inducing fat loss as seen
in Sites 23 and 25.
Treatment of Pharyngeal Fat with Ice Slurry
[0249] At time of necropsy in a swine, Applicant demonstrated that
slurry can be delivered to the parapharyngeal fat pads using
ultrasound guidance and non-invasive injection. Several drops of
black india ink (tattoo ink) were added to a slurry composed of 10%
glycerol (by weight) in normal saline. The addition of ink enables
visualization of deposition of the slurry. Ultrasound imaging was
used to visualize the area to be injected. FIG. 25A depicts the
injection site. FIG. 25B depicts the injection depth. FIGS. 25C and
25D depict the localization of the slurry (containing ink) within
the parapharyngeal fat pads.
Dermal Thickening
[0250] FIGS. 31A and 31B provides images of gross biopsies taken at
time of sacrifice three months post-procedure. FIG. 31A is a
cross-section of tissue at a site injected with with a cold slurry
of normal saline+10% glycerol. FIG. 31B is a cross-section of
tissue at a site injected with a room temperature solution of
normal saline+10% glycerol. In the site receiving cold slurry
injection shown in FIG. 31A, dermal thickening of 38.1% was noted
at the time of sacrifice. In contrast, the site receiving a room
temperature solution of the same composition as slurry shown in
FIG. 31A did not show any change in the thickness of the
dermis.
[0251] FIGS. 32A and 32B provide images of histology taken at time
of sacrifice three months post-procedure and stained with
hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). In the site receiving cold slurry
injection in FIG. 32A, septal thickening and increase collagen was
noted at the time of sacrifice. In contrast, the untreated site in
FIG. 32B demonstrates normal connective tissue morphology with thin
septae and no collagen production noted. FIGS. 34A and 34B provide
images of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for type I collagen
taken at time of sacrifice three months post-procedure. FIGS. 35A
and 35B provide images of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for
type III collagen taken at time of sacrifice three months
post-procedure.
In Vivo Rat Experiments
Safety and Tolerability Experiments
[0252] Rats were injected with a variety of slurry formulations
detailed in Table 7 to assess safety and tolerability of the
slurries. All of the animals tolerated the injection with no sign
of infection, ulceration, necrosis or side effects.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Slurry Injections Slurry Composition Temp.
Amount Normal Saline + 20% Glycerol -5.2.degree. C. 15 cc Normal
Saline + 30% Glycerol -6.7.degree. C. 10 cc Normal Saline + 30%
Glycerol -7.4.degree. C. 9-10 cc Normal Saline + 40% Glycerol
-8.2.degree. C. 9-10 cc Normal Saline + 40% Glycerol -10.1.degree.
C. 9-10 cc 5% PEG in LR (Lactated Ringer's Solution) + -0.6.degree.
C. 10 cc 5% Dextrose 5% PEG in LR + 5% Dextrose -0.8.degree. C. 10
cc 5% PEG in LR + 5% Dextrose -0.2.degree. C. 10 cc Room Temp. 5%
PEG in LR + 5% Dextrose 8.degree. C. 10 cc 5% TWEEN .RTM. 20 in LR
+ 5% Dextrose -0.6.degree. C. 10 cc 5% TWEEN .RTM. 20 in LR + 5%
Dextrose -0.6.degree. C. 10 cc 5% TWEEN .RTM. 20 in LR + 5%
Dextrose -0.6.degree. C. 10 cc Room Temp. 5% TWEEN .RTM. 20 in LR +
16.0.degree. C. 8 cc 5% Dextrose Hetastarch in LR 0.3.degree. C. 10
cc Hetastarch in LR 0.3.degree. C. 10 cc Hetastarch in LR
0.4.degree. C. 10 cc Room Temp. Hetastrach in LR 15.4.degree. C. 10
cc
Comparison of Efficacy of Slurry Compositions and Temperatures
[0253] Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and given a
single subcutaneous injection of 10 cc of either cold slurry or a
room temperature fluid of same composition as cold slurry. The
injection was given in the area of the left inguinal fat pad as
depicted in the encircled area in FIG. 16. The right side was not
injected and used as control.
[0254] Three slurry compositions were tested in this experiment:
(a) 6% hetastarch in lactated Ringer's solution, (b) 5% TWEEN.RTM.
20 (polysorbate 20) in lactated Ringer's solution plus 5% dextrose
and (c) 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG) in lactated Ringer's solution
plus 5% dextrose.
[0255] Lactated Ringer's solution is a commonly used intravenous
fluid that is isotonic. It is composed of 120 mEq sodium ions, 109
mEq chloride ions, 28 mEq lactate, 4 mEq potassium ions, and 3 mEq
calcium ions. Thus, it differs from normal saline in its
composition.
[0256] FIGS. 17A and 17B depict the result of injections of 6%
hetastarch in lactated Ringer's solution at room temperature
(+15.4.degree. C.) and cold slurry (+0.3.degree. C.), respectively.
FIG. 17C depicts the control (not injected) side. FIGS. 17D-17G
depict tissue surrounding the injection site demonstrating no
effects on muscle or surrounding tissue.
[0257] All photographs were taken 10 days post-injection procedure.
Cold hetastarch slurry resulted in disruption of normal fat
morphology (as depicted with a thin arrow). Adipose tissue is
highlighted in brackets. Room temperature slurry did not show
disruption of fat tissue on gross observation. Cold slurry did not
show gross changes in muscle or skin near the injected area.
Cooling alone through slurry injection caused the selective
disruption of the fat.
[0258] FIGS. 18A and 18B depict the result of injections of 5%
TWEEN.RTM. 20 (polysorbate 20) in lactated Ringer's solution plus
5% dextrose at room temperature (+16.degree. C.) and cold slurry
(-0.6.degree. C.), respectively, in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. FIG.
18C depicts the control (not injected) side. FIGS. 18D-18G depict
tissue surrounding the injection site demonstrating no effect on
muscle or surrounding tissue.
[0259] Both room temperature and cold slurry disrupted normal
adipose morphology relative to control as depicted with the dashed
arrow. Adipose tissue is highlighted in brackets. Cold slurry
resulted in greater disruption and potentially greater fat loss as
depicted with the solid arrow. It is possible that adipocytes are
sensitive to detergents in general. Cold slurry did not produce
gross changes in muscle or skin.
[0260] FIGS. 19A and 19B depict the result of injections of 5%
polyethylene glycol (PEG) in lactated Ringer's solution plus 5%
dextrose at room temperature (+8.degree. C.) and cold slurry
(-0.8.degree. C.), respectively, in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. FIG.
19C depicts the control (not injected) side. FIGS. 19D-19G depict
tissue surrounding the injection site demonstrating no effect on
muscle or surrounding tissue.
[0261] Both room temperature and cold slurry disrupted normal
adipose morphology as depicted with dashed arrows relative to
control. Adipose tissue is highlighted in brackets. PEG acts as a
detergent. It is possible that adipocytes are sensitive to
detergents in general. Cold slurry did not show gross changes in
muscle or skin. It is possible that the single phase liquid also
had some cooling effect, as +8.degree. C. is below the point of
crystallization of lipids (approximately +14.degree. C.).
[0262] These experiments show several results. First, slurries that
do not contain glycerol are also capable of disrupting fat. Second,
the disruption of tissue is selective for fat; there were no
observed gross changes in muscle or overlying skin. Third, in the
absence of a lipolytic additive, only cold slurry is capable of
disrupting fat, as a cool or room temperature liquid of the same
composition as slurry does not result in any changes. The results
support the theory that adipocytes may be more sensitive to injury
by substances with detergent properties, as mild disruption of
adipose tissue was observed in the room temperature variant of
slurries containing detergent additives. Fifth, the disruption of
tissue was most pronounced in the condition of cold slurry and a
detergent additive, providing preliminary evidence that there may
be an additive or synergistic effect of slurry and detergent.
Treatment of Visceral Fat
[0263] An open laparotomy was performed on obese mice. The
perigonadal fat, a visceral fat depot, was exposed and in test
mice, was cooled with slurry composed of normal saline. In control
mice, normal saline warmed to +37.degree. C. was placed on the
visceral fat. The animals were closed using standard surgical
technique, and then sacrificed one week post-procedure. The
histology of the perigonadal visceral fat at time of sacrifice in
the warm saline group is shown in FIGS. 29A and 29C and the
histology at the time of sacrifice in the slurry group is shown
FIGS. 29B and 29D, respectively. FIGS. 29A and 29C show normal
visceral fat morphology in the warmed normal saline group. However,
disruption of fat morphology is observed in the saline slurry group
depicted in FIGS. 29B and 29D, on both gross histology and high
magnification, respectively.
[0264] Referring now to FIG. 30, five obese mice were taken from a
larger cohort, anesthetized, weighed, and each administered a 2 cc
intraperitoneal injection of slurry. The slurry injected was
composed of peritoneal dialysis solution (DIANEAL.RTM. available
from Baxter International Inc. of Deerfield, Ill.) and 5% glycerol
(w/v). The injection temperature was around -1.9.degree. C. The
mice were sacrificed 1.5 weeks post injection. At time of
sacrifice, both the treated mice and the general cohort were
weighed. As depicted in the graph below, the mice receiving
treatment with slurry lost, on average, 7.9% of their body weight.
In contrast, the normal untreated cohort, gained an average of
21.8% of their body weight.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
[0265] Referring now to FIGS. 36A-37B, slurry injections were
utilized to treat sleep apnea in a mouse model. FIGS. 36A and 36B
are magnetic resonance (MR) images depicting the cross-sections of
a control mouse trachea and adjacent tissue at a baseline and four
week follow-up, respectively. FIGS. 37A and 37B are magnetic
resonance (MR) images depicting the cross-sections of a treated
mouse trachea and adjacent tissue at a baseline and four week
follow-up, respectively. The mouse treated in FIGS. 37A and 37B was
injected with slurry at a temperature of -1.9.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Effect of Slurry Injections to Treat Sleep
Apnea in Mouse Model Cross-Sectional Area of Trachea Airway Fat
Baseline 4-Week Follow-Up Change Change Control 0.0048 0.0029
-39.6% +68.0% Treated 0.0067 0.0066 -1.5% +45.5%
EQUIVALENTS
[0266] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0267] The entire contents of all patents, published patent
applications, and other references cited herein are hereby
expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
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