**2. Intellectual property aimed at the treatment of pulmonary injury by smoke inhalation**

Intellectual property enables a transformation of knowledge to principle and a link between knowledge and market. It is also said that a patent is the legal document that represents the set of exclusivity rights granted by the State to an inventor. By receiving the patent rights over his product, the inventor also receives several rights and guarantees, however, with these rights also come obligations that, necessarily, must be fulfilled so the inventor can retain his rights [1].

In case of him not meeting his obligations, he is subject to a mandatory licensing of his invention or utility model. If a patent is requested and granted for technology, of a novelty product or to enhance an invention, there are several proceedings, regulations, and laws to register and grant these patents, which vary for each country, also varying the concession period. The delay in patent granting is pointed as a barrier to innovation in a country. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the period for an international patent registration varies from 16 to 30 months [1].

**63**

administered [3, 20].

*The Patenting of Products and Processes Used for the Treatment of Smoke Inhalation*

**3. Pulmonary injury and its therapeutical challenges**

the inhalation injury model, such changes can be reversible.

release of reactive oxygen species contribute to the emphysema.

lesions, inhalation injuries, and generalized infections [16].

patient pronation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [17].

cyanide poisoning, have contributed to good therapeutic results [18, 19]. Acknowledging the systemic effects of the condition, the hydration and monitoring of micro and macro hemodynamics are extremely relevant to prevent further complications. Pharmacological treatment is based on the consequences and additional complications. Corticosteroids, antibiotics, anticoagulants, sedatives, and analgesics and, in cases of intoxication by cyanide, hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate, or sodium nitrite, by intravenous route, can be

On patents deposited with the objective of treating injuries caused by smoke inhalation, the inventors that most developed e patented products were Enkhbaatar P. et al. (6), Keith JC Jr. (5), Schmalstieg F. et al. (1), Brands (5), and Saifer et al. (1).

The constitution and toxicity of smoke and of products generated by combustion compromise the environmental condition and health of exposed individuals, generating local or systemic affections, which may leave sequelae and even progress

Inhalation injury by smoke can happen as a consequence of the high temperature of vapor inhaled, decrease of breathed fraction of oxygen, and presence of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, and ammonia, absorbed

There are different damages to the different structures of the respiratory system [8]. In the airways, there is scaling of ciliated pseudostratified epithelium, mucosal edema, bronchorrhea, and tracheobronchial obstruction, increasing resistance and limiting air flow [9]. Sometimes, from the histological point of view, depending on

Regarding pulmonary parenchyma, the injuries are characterized by lung emphysema with expressive thinning of intra-alveolar septa, which burst and increase alveolar spaces. This tissue involvement can have progressive character, caused by the arrival of neutrophils in the pulmonary interstice, generating a superoxide radical, which directly harms the membrane of interstitial cells and the endothelium [10–12]. According to Ferreira and Matsubara [13], production and

About 6–7 h after initial exposure, there is an increase of IL-1β and IL-8 concentrations [14]. Besides those, other inflammatory process mediators are tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFɑ), IL-6, and nuclear factor-kappa β [2]. The actions of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 stimulate adherence of leucocytes and disseminated intravascular coagulation, with IL-6 highlighted in eosinophil attraction to the injured area [15]. TNF-ɑ is known for being a powerful inflammatory mediator in thermal

Clinical treatment of an inhalation injury is a challenge based on the control of consequences of smoke exposure, there being no gold standard. Some immediate care assures the integrity of organs and systems of victims. It is necessary to start oxygen therapy with hyperoxia (FiO2 = 100%) for a limited time, to discern the indication of artificial airway and invasive or noninvasive ventilatory support,

It is important to maintain airway perversity as well as alveolar stability. The administration of β2-agonist, heparin and N-acetylcysteine nebulization have a role in the management, as well as the more specific treatment of carbon monoxide or

At the experimental level, the use of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human amnion (hAMSCs) alleviated white smoke-induced lung injury [21]. It is

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88408*

or not by the inhaled particulate matter [6, 7].

to death [2].

On patents deposited with the objective of treating injuries caused by smoke inhalation, the inventors that most developed e patented products were Enkhbaatar P. et al. (6), Keith JC Jr. (5), Schmalstieg F. et al. (1), Brands (5), and Saifer et al. (1).
