Nerve Targeting Peptide Conjugates for Surgical Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and visualizing human nerves during surgical procedures are inadequate, as they lack visual feedback and are not effective in tracing sensory fibers or providing accurate visualization of nerve pathways, especially in complex scenarios like trauma or tumor involvement.
Innovation Solution
Development of nerve-targeting peptide conjugates that selectively bind to human nerves, allowing for the delivery of cargo molecules such as fluorescent moieties or photosensitizing agents, enabling precise visualization and targeting of nerves during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorescent dyes are used for neuron or nerve labeling, then nerve identification is possible, but the surgical site becomes contaminated and visualization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fluorescent dye from the injection site and relocates it to a distant target organ through the bloodstream. The dye is injected into a vein, allowing it to be carried by blood flow to the target nerve, thereby separating the contamination source from the surgical site while maintaining nerve labeling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blood as an intermediary medium to transport the fluorescent dye from the injection site to the target nerve. This intermediary carrier allows the dye to reach the nerve without direct contact with the surgical site, eliminating contamination while preserving labeling effectiveness
2Reliability
If retrograde axonal tracers are used for nerve labeling, then nerve pathways can be traced, but the labeling process is slow and takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional retrograde tracing approach by using anterograde transport via blood flow. Instead of waiting for slow retrograde axonal transport to carry dye from the nerve ending back to the cell body, the dye is delivered directly to the nerve through the bloodstream, achieving rapid labeling in minutes rather than days
3Measurement precision
If direct intramuscular injection of fluorescent dye is used for nerve labeling, then nerve targeting is achieved, but mechanical damage and high local concentration of dye occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effects of direct injection by routing the dye through the bloodstream instead of direct intramuscular injection. This eliminates mechanical damage from needle insertion and avoids the toxic high local concentration of dye at the injection site, while still achieving precise nerve targeting through blood flow distribution
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The peptide conjugates provide effective visualization and targeting of human nerves, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by offering selective binding and accurate identification of nerve pathways, enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
peptide conjugates that selectively bind to human nerves
Implementation Method 2
cargo molecules such as fluorescent moieties or photosensitizing agents
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides nerve targeting peptides, including those comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-710; conjugates comprising such nerve targeting peptides and a cargo molecule; compositions comprising said peptides and conjugates; and methods of said peptides and conjugates in surgical procedures and other applications.