Methods of inducing anesthesia

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for determining the selectivity of an anesthetic for an anesthetic-sensitive receptor by determining the molar water solubility of the anesthetic. The invention further provides methods for modulating the selectivity of an anesthetic for an anesthetic-sensitive receptor by altering or modifying the anesthetic to have higher or lower water solubility. The invention further provides methods of inducing anesthesia in a subject by administering via the respiratory pathways (e.g., via inhalational or pulmonary delivery) an effective amount of an anesthetic compound identified according to the present methods.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of inducing anesthesia in a subject, comprising administering to the subject via the respiratory system an effective amount of a compound or a mixture of compounds of Formula VI: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7  and R 8  independently are selected from H, X, CX 3 , CHX 2 , CH 2 X and C 2 X 5 ; and 
         wherein X is a halogen, the compound has a vapor pressure of at least 0.1 atmospheres (76 mmHg) at 25° C., and the number of hydrogen atoms of Formula VI do not exceed the number of carbon atoms, thereby inducing anesthesia in the subject. 
       
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein X is F. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:
 a) Furan, 2,3,4,4-tetrafluorotetrahydro-2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #634191-25-6);   b) Furan, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5-heptafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #377-83-3);   c) Furan, 2,2,3,3,4,5,5-heptafluorotetrahydro-4-(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #374-53-8);   d) Furan, 2,2,3,4,5-pentafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-, (2a,3β,4a)- (9CI) (CAS #133618-53-8);   e) Furan, 2,2,3,4,5-pentafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-, (2a,3a,4β)- (CAS #133618-52-7);   f) Furan, 2,2,3,4,5-pentafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-, (2α,3β,4α)- (9CI) (CAS #133618-53-8);   g) Furan, 2,2,3,4,5-pentafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-, (2α,3α,4β)- (9CI) (CAS #133618-52-7);   h) Furan, 2,2,3,3,5,5-hexafluorotetrahydro-4-(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #61340-70-3);   i) Furan, 2,3-difluorotetrahydro-2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #634191-26-7);   j) Furan, 2-chloro-2,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluorotetrahydro- (CAS #1026470-51-8);   k) Furan, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5-heptafluorotetrahydro-5-methyl- (CAS #179017-83-5);   l) Furan, 2,2,3,3,4,5-hexafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-, trans- (9CI) (CAS #133618-59-4); and   m) Furan, 2,2,3,3,4,5-hexafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-, cis- (9CI) (CAS #133618-49-2).   
     
     
         27 . A method of inducing anesthesia in a subject, comprising administering to the subject via the respiratory system an effective amount of a compound or a mixture of compounds of Formula VII: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9  and R 10  independently are selected from H, X, CX 3 , CHX 2 , CH 2 X, and C 2 X 5 ; and 
         wherein X is a halogen, the compound has a vapor pressure of at least 0.1 atmospheres (76 mmHg) at 25° C, and the number of hydrogen atoms of Formula VII do not exceed the number of carbon atoms, thereby inducing anesthesia in the subject. 
       
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein X is F. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:
 a) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,3,3,4,5,5,6,6-nonafluorotetrahydro-4- (CAS #71546-79-7);   b) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6-nonafluorotetrahydro-6-(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #356-47-8);   c) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,6,6-nonafluorotetrahydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #61340-74-7);   d) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,6,6-tetrafluorotetrahydro-4-(trifluoromethyl)- (CAS #657-48-7);   e) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6-nonafluorotetrahydro-6-methyl- (CAS #874634-55-6);   f) Perfluorotetrahydropyran (CAS #355-79-3);   g) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,3,3,4,5,5,6-octafluorotetrahydro-, (4R,6S)-rel- (CAS #362631-93-4); and   h) 2H-Pyran, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6-nonafluorotetrahydro- (CAS #65601-69-6).   
     
     
         31 - 53 . (canceled)