US4718433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging
Assignee: SLF LP
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Filing: 1985-12-05
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Granted: 1988-01-12
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Expires: 2005-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures is disclosed. The method comprises providing specifically defined microbubbles formed by sonicating a bicompatible liquid comprising a sonicated aqueous protein solution, preferably a 5% solution of human serum albumin, and denaturing the protein therein by heat or chemical methods; injecting the microbubbles into an animal or human to thereby alter the acoustic properties of an area to be imaged; and then ultrasonically scanning the area so as to obtain an ultrasound scanning image.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven B. Feinstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/899; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of ultrasonic imaging in which microbubbles are injected into a mammal to alter the accoustic properties of a predetermined area which is then ultrasonically scanned to obtain an image of the area for use in medical procedures, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of forming an aqueous protein solution, subjecting said solution to high frequency sonication while heating the solution sufficiently to denature portions of the protein, said sonication forming microbubbles of relatively uniform size stabilized by the denatured protein, and using the stabilized microbubbles as an injectate for said ultrasonic imaging.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of ultrasonic imaging in which microbubbles are injected into a mammal to alter the accoustic properties of a predetermined area which is then ultrasonically scanned to obtain an image of the area for use in medical procedures, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of forming an aqueous protein solution, subjecting said solution to high frequency sonication while heating the solution sufficiently to denature portions of the protein, said sonication forming microbubbles of relatively uniform size stabilized by the denatured protein, and using the stabilized microbubbles as an injectate for said ultrasonic imaging.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 in which the improvement further comprises forming said aqueous protein solution from albumin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 in which the improvement further comprises forming said stabilized microbubbles with substantially all of the microbubbles having diameters less than 9 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which the improvement further comprises forming said stabilized microbubbles with the microbubbles having diameters predominantly in the range from 2 to 5 microns.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of claims 1, 3, or 4 in which said stabilized microbubbles are used by injection into a peripheral vein for ultrasonic heart imaging via transpulmonary passage.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of ultrasonic imaging in which microbubbles are injected into a mammal to alter the accoustic properties of a predetermined area which is then ultrasonically scanned to obtain an image of the area for use in medical procedures, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of forming an aqueous protein solution, subjecting said solution to high frequency sonication while heating the solution sufficiently by means of the sonication to denature portions of the protein, said sonication forming microbubbles stabilized by the denatured protein with substantially all of the microbubbles having diameters less than 9 microns, and using the stabilized microbubbles as an injectate for said ultrasonic imaging.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of ultrasonic imaging in which microbubbles are injected into a mammal to alter the accoustic properties of a predetermined area which is then ultrasonically scanned to obtain an image of the area for use in medical procedures, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of forming an aqueous protein solution, subjecting said solution to high frequency sonication while heating the solution sufficiently by means of the sonication to denature portions of the protein, said sonication forming microbubbles stabilized by the denatured protein with substantially all of the microbubbles having diameters less than 9 microns, and using the stabilized microbubbles as an injectate for said ultrasonic imaging.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 in which the improvement further comprises forming said protein solution from human serum albumin.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of claims 6 or 7 in which the improvement further comprises forming said stabilized microbubbles with the microbubbles having diameters predominantly in the range from 2 to 5 microns.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of claims 6 or 7 in which said stabilized microbubbles are used by injection into a peripheral vein for ultrasonic heart imaging via transpulmonary passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-11 | 1991-07-13 | 1992-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-11 | 1995-07-13 | 1996-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-11 | 1999-07-13 | 2000-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |