Patent ID: 9283288
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: A61B,A61K

Claim Text:
1. A process for using a fluorescent agent in an abdominal or pelvic surgical procedure to reduce the risk of accidental injury to a ureter of a patient undergoing an abdominal or pelvic surgical procedure, the process comprising: delivering a fluorescent agent to the ureter of a patient undergoing an abdominal or pelvic surgical procedure, wherein the fluorescent agent is delivered intravenously, enterally, intraperitoneally, transdermally, or via inhalation to the patient, wherein at least a fraction of the fluorescent agent is excreted through the renal system such that at least a fraction of the fluorescent agent is present in the patient's urine, wherein the fluorescent agent is chosen from phenylxanthenes, phenothiazines, phenoselenazines, cyanines, indocyanines, squaraines, dipyrrolo pyrimidones, anthraquinones, tetracenes, quinolines, pyrazines, acridines, acridones, phenanthridines, azo dyes, rhodamines, phenoxazines, azulenes, azaazulenes, triphenyl methane dyes, indoles, benzoindoles, indocarbocyanines, benzoindocarbocyanines, derivatives having the general structure of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene, and conjugates thereof and derivatives thereof, irradiating a ureter of the patient's renal system with non-ionizing radiation to cause the fluorescent agent to fluoresce within the ureter; and optically detecting the fluorescent agent in the irradiated ureter to distinguish the ureter from surrounding tissues and reduce the risk of accidental injury to the ureter.