Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A chemically stable physiologically tolerable contrast agent in a solid state, for use in vivo solution during diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to enhance the MRI image of a subject within the MRI scanning magnetic field, comprising: a contrast agent of the form: E-DTPA-PM, where: E-DTPA is an ethylene triamine pentaacetic acid chelator in which at least one of the five acetic acid groups has become a functional ester group E of the form: E=--COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein "n" is an integer from 1 to 16 indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of the ester group E, for functionally cooperating with the in vivo environment; and PM is a paramagnetic metal ion having an atomic charge of +Z, securely chelated at a plurality of coordination points into the E-DTPA chelator to chemically isolate the PM(+Z) ion from the in vivo environnent, for locally affecting the magnetic field of the MRI system; whereby the contrast agent causes a reduction in the T1 relaxation time near the region of interest within the subject.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A chemically stable physiologically tolerable contrast agent in a solid state, for use in vivo solution during diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to enhance the MRI image of a subject within the MRI scanning magnetic field, comprising: a contrast agent of the form: E-DTPA-PM, where: E-DTPA is an ethylene triamine pentaacetic acid chelator in which at least one of the five acetic acid groups has become a functional ester group E of the form: E=--COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein "n" is an integer from 1 to 16 indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of the ester group E, for functionally cooperating with the in vivo environment; and PM is a paramagnetic metal ion having an atomic charge of +Z, securely chelated at a plurality of coordination points into the E-DTPA chelator to chemically isolate the PM(+Z) ion from the in vivo environnent, for locally affecting the magnetic field of the MRI system; whereby the contrast agent causes a reduction in the T1 relaxation time near the region of interest within the subject.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the contrast agent is a diester of the form: 2E-DTPA-PM, where: 2E-DTPA-PM is ethylene triamine pentaacetic acid chelator in which two of the five acetic acid groups have been become a pair of functional ester groups E of the form:
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
E=--COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein n is an integer from 1 to 16 indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of each ester group E1 and E2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
E=--COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein n is an integer from 1 to 16 indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of each ester group E1 and E2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The contrast agent of claim 2, wherein Z=+3 and the 2E-DTPA-PM(+3) molecule has a zero net charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The contrast agent of claim 2, wherein Z=+2 and the general form is: 2E-IN-DTPA-PM(+2), where: IN is an inert cation of charge +1; and the 2E-IN-DTPA-PM(+2) molecule has a zero net charge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: Cr(III) Mn(II) Fe(III) Fe(II) Co(II) Ni(II) Cu(III) Cu(II) La(III) Ce(III) Pr(III) Nd(III) Pm(III) Sm(III) Eu(III) Gd(III) Tb(III) Dy(III) Ho(III) Er(III) Tm(III) Yb(III) Lu(III).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: Cr(III) Mn(II) Fe(III) Fe(II) Gd(II) Co(II) Ni(II) Cu(III) Cu(II).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
A chemically stable physiologically tolerable contrast agent in a pharmacological state, for in vivo use during diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to enhance the MRI image of a subject within the MRI scanning magnetic field, comprising: a paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) having an atomic charge of Z for locally affecting the MRI scanning magnetic field within the subject to reduce the T1 relaxation time thereof; a triamine chelator DTPA' securely polar bonded around the PM(+Z) ion at a plurality of coordination points to provide a DTPA'-PM, and having the form: ##STR9## for chemically isolating the PM(+Z) ion from the in vivo environment; functional group means formed by an ester compound of the form --COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein "n" is an integer indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of the ester compound, for functionally cooperating with the in vivo environment, covalently bonded to the DTPA'-PM chelator forming an Ester-DTPA'-PM contrast agent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle means for dispersing the Ester-DTPA'-PM contrast agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
A chemically stable physiologically tolerable contrast agent in a pharmacological state, for in vivo use during diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to enhance the MRI image of a subject within the MRI scanning magnetic field, comprising: a paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) having an atomic charge of Z for locally affecting the MRI scanning magnetic field within the subject to reduce the T1 relaxation time thereof; a triamine chelator DTPA' securely polar bonded around the PM(+Z) ion at a plurality of coordination points to provide a DTPA'-PM, and having the form: ##STR9## for chemically isolating the PM(+Z) ion from the in vivo environment; functional group means formed by an ester compound of the form --COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein "n" is an integer indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of the ester compound, for functionally cooperating with the in vivo environment, covalently bonded to the DTPA'-PM chelator forming an Ester-DTPA'-PM contrast agent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle means for dispersing the Ester-DTPA'-PM contrast agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the functional group means comprises: a first ester group having nl Carbon atoms in Carbon-Hydrogen portion, and covalently bonded to the DTPA'-PM chelator; and a second ester group having n2 Carbon atoms in Carbon-Hydrogen portion, and covalently bonded to the DTPA'-PM chelator; to form a Diester-DTPA'-PM.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contrast agent of claim 8, wherein n1 and n2 may by any whole integer from 1 to 16.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The contrast agent of claim 9, wherein the Diester-DTPA'-PM is a homo-diester in which n1=n2.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contrast agent of claim 9, wherein the Diester-DTPA'-PM is a hetro-diester in which n1 is larger than n2.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion (PM+Z) is at leat one element selected from the group consisting of: Cr(III) Mn(II) Fe(III) Fe(II) Co(II) Ni(II) Cu(III) Cu(II) La(III) Ce(III) Pr(III) Nd(III) Pm(III) Sm(III) Eu(III) Gd(III) Tb(III) Dy(III) Ho(III) Er(III) Tm(III) Yb(III) Lu(III).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion (PM(+Z) is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: Cr(III) Mn(II) Fe(III) Fe(II) Gd(II) Co(II) Ni(II) Cu(III) Cu(II).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherin Z=+3 and the Ester-DTPA'-PM molecule has a zero net charge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein Z=+2 and the further comprises an inert cation IN having an atomic charge of +1 forming a Ester-IN(+1)-DTPA'-PM(+2) molecule with a zero net charge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the vehicle means is a water solution.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The contrast agent of claim 16, further comprising water of hydration associated with the Carbon-Hydrogen portion to the ester compound.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) is Fe(III).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) is Mn(II).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) is Co(II).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the paramagnetic metal ion PM(+Z) is Gd(III).
Claim 26
Independent Claim
186 words
The method of imaging a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system employing an paramagnetic contrast agent, comprising the steps of: PROVIDING a physiologically tolerable contrast agent in the form: 2E-DTPA-PM(+Z), where: 2E-DPTA is ethylene triamine pentaacetic acid chelator in which two of the five acetic acid groups have been become a pair of functional ester groups E of the form: E=--COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein n is an integer from 1 to 16 indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of each ester group E1 and E2, for functionally cooperating with the in vivo environment; and PM(+Z) is a paramagnetic metal ion having an atomic charge of +Z, securely chelated at a plurality of coordination points into the 2E-DTPA chelator to chemically isolate the PM(+Z) ion from the in vivo environment, for locally affecting the magnetic field of the MRI system; INTRODUCING the 2E-DPTA-PM contrast agent into the subject; WAITING for the ester functional groups to cooperate with the in vivo environment; and IMAGING the subject with the MRI system to obtain a contrast agent enhanced MRI image.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
186 words
The method of imaging a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system employing an paramagnetic contrast agent, comprising the steps of: PROVIDING a physiologically tolerable contrast agent in the form: 2E-DTPA-PM(+Z), where: 2E-DPTA is ethylene triamine pentaacetic acid chelator in which two of the five acetic acid groups have been become a pair of functional ester groups E of the form: E=--COO--(CH 2 ) n-1 --CH 3 , wherein n is an integer from 1 to 16 indicating the number of Carbon atoms in the Carbon-Hydrogen portion of each ester group E1 and E2, for functionally cooperating with the in vivo environment; and PM(+Z) is a paramagnetic metal ion having an atomic charge of +Z, securely chelated at a plurality of coordination points into the 2E-DTPA chelator to chemically isolate the PM(+Z) ion from the in vivo environment, for locally affecting the magnetic field of the MRI system; INTRODUCING the 2E-DPTA-PM contrast agent into the subject; WAITING for the ester functional groups to cooperate with the in vivo environment; and IMAGING the subject with the MRI system to obtain a contrast agent enhanced MRI image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of imaging a subject as specified in claim 22, wherein the contrast agent is introduced by intravenous injection.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of imaging a subject as specified in claim 22, further comprising the initial step of dispersing the 2E-DTPA-PM contrast agent into a suitable carrier vehicle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of imaging a subject as specified in claim 22, further comprising: the initial step of providing data from a prior MRI imaging: and the final step of subtraction comparing the prior MRI image with the current MRI image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of imaging a subject as specified in claim 25, wherein the prior MRI image is a base line image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of imaging a subject as specified in claim 25, wherein the prior MRI image is not a contrast agent enhanced image.