초록 ▼

An apparatus is provided for applying to a surface of mammalian tissue including soft, living tissue an initially fluent material and then activating the material by exposure to an energy source. The material may be a liquid capable of polymerization to a non-fluent state by exposure to actinic lig

An apparatus is provided for applying to a surface of mammalian tissue including soft, living tissue an initially fluent material and then activating the material by exposure to an energy source. The material may be a liquid capable of polymerization to a non-fluent state by exposure to actinic light. The device, and methods that may be practiced in association with the device, enable a wide range of medical conditions to be treated including, for example, the application of a barrier to soft tissue to prevent post-surgical adhesions.

대표청구항 ▼

Having thus described the invention, what we desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A method, comprising: applying from an applicator, via pressurized gas, a photopolymerizable material to a tissue internally of a mammal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprise

Having thus described the invention, what we desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A method, comprising: applying from an applicator, via pressurized gas, a photopolymerizable material to a tissue internally of a mammal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises applying a predetermined volume of photopolymerizable material to the tissue. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the applying step defines a first cycle of a cyclical procedure, the method further comprising applying a second predetermined volume of photopolymerizable material to the tissue in a second cycle. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined volume and the second predetermined volume are essentially the same. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises applying the photopolymerizable material in a group of adjacent and overlapping patterns. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises spraying the photopolymerizable material onto the tissue. 7. The method in claim 6, wherein the step of spraying the photopolymerizable material comprises delivering a bolus of fluid into a gas stream moving at a velocity sufficient to atomize the fluid to form a spray comprising the photopolymerizable material. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the spraying step comprises spraying the photopolymerizable material onto the tissue in a generally conical spray pattern. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises applying the photopolymerizable material to the tissue as a thin film. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises emitting the photopolymerizable material from an emission element located at a distal portion of the applicator having a proximal portion and a distal portion. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the emission element comprises a nozzle. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of irradiating in situ at least a portion of the photopolymerizable material. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the irradiating step comprises irradiating the photopolymerizable material with light. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the light is able to cause at least a portion of the photopolymerizable material to polymerize. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the light is able to be used as a guide to orient the applicator at a selected location with respect to the tissue. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the light initiates polymerization of the photopolymerizable tissue. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the irradiating step comprises irradiating the tissue in a shape that is substantially the same shape as that in which the photopolymerizable material is applied. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a distal portion adapted for insertion into the mammal and a proximal portion adapted to remain outside the mammal, the method further comprising inserting the distal portion of the applicator into the mammal. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerizable material further comprises a biologically active agent. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerizable material is biodegradable. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerizable material serves as one or more of a tissue adhesive, a barrier to prevent tissue adhesions, a protective tissue coating a local application of a biologically active species, and a method for controlled release of biologically active species to achieve systemic and local effects. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerizable material is an adherent tissue coating. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the photopolymerizable material comprises one or more reactive groups selected from acrylates, diacrylates, oligoacrylates, methacrylates, dimethacrylates, oligomethacrylates, isocyanates, isothiocyanates and amines. 24. An apparatus, comprising: an applicator having a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the applicator having a fluent emission element constructed and arranged to emit a mixture of a gas and a prepolymeric material onto tissue from a pressurized source of gas and a source of prepolymeric material; and means at the distal end of the applicator for applying energy to the prepolymeric material. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for applying energy comprises: means defining an optical path from a light source to the distal end of the applicator; and an optical emission aperture at the distal end of the optical path. 26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the fluent emission element at the distal end of the applicator comprises a nozzle adapted to emit the prepolymeric material and disperse it in a predetermined pattern. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the nozzle and the means for applying energy are constructed to direct the prepolymeric material and energy in the same direction. 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for applying energy is adapted to apply the energy to the tissue in a pattern at least as large as the spray pattern of the nozzle. 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for applying energy is constructed and arranged to emit the energy in a pattern substantially the same shape as that in which the material is applied. 30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the nozzle is adapted to emit the material in a spray. 31. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising control means for automatically operating the means for applying energy after the emission element has emitted the prepolymeric material. 32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the applicator has a grippable member at its proximal end and a shaft extending distally from the grippable member and further comprising: the shaft having conduits for transmission of at least, energy and the prepolymeric material. 33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising: the grippable member, containing a reservoir of the prepolymeic material and a pump mechanism for pumping prepolymeic material from a reservoir to and out of the emission element; and control means exposed externally of the grippable member for operating the pump and the means for applying energy. 34. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the applicator includes a shaft extending to the distal end. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein at least part of the shaft is non-rigid. 36. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: means for emitting a predetermined volume of prepolymeric material from the emission element for each cycle of operation of the apparatus. 37. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the emission element is constructed to apply the material in the form of a coating on the tissue. 38. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the prepolymeric material is photopolymerizable. 39. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the energy comprises light.