Patent US5046498A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5046498A
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Magnetic resonance human medical and veterinary imaging method
Assignee: Praxair Technology Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-16
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Granted: 1991-09-10
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Expires: 2011-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A medical magnetic resonance imaging method for use with human and veterinary patients or subjects employing stable neon to provide contrast enhancement sufficient to provide both qualitative images and quantitative physiological information to assist in diagnosis, physiological challenges, the selection of pharmaceutical or surgical therapy and the assessment of the effectiveness of therapy.
Inventors
- 👤 Royce S. Fishman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/54; G01R33/56; G01R33/5601; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/06; A61K49/18; A61K49/1806; A61K49/1815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for carrying out magnetic resonance imaging with imProved contrast comprising: (A) providing a living organic subject, having nuclei; (B) providing stable neon to said subject; (C) applying a magnetic field to the subject to align at least some of the subject's nuclei; (D) providing radio energy for absorption and re-emission by said aligned nuclei; and (E) gathering data based on the re-emitted radio energy to produce an image with improved contrast.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for carrying out magnetic resonance imaging with imProved contrast comprising: (A) providing a living organic subject, having nuclei; (B) providing stable neon to said subject; (C) applying a magnetic field to the subject to align at least some of the subject's nuclei; (D) providing radio energy for absorption and re-emission by said aligned nuclei; and (E) gathering data based on the re-emitted radio energy to produce an image with improved contrast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stable neon is provided to the subject invasively by injection or infusion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the neon is provided in gaseous form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the neon is provided as part of an equilibrated, saturated or supersaturated solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is a person or animal and the stable neon is provided to the subject non-invasively by the breathing in of pure stable neon alternated with the breathing in of pure oxygen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is a person or animal and the stable neon is provided non-invasively to the subject by the breathing in of a mixture comprising from 10 to 80.5 mole percent stable neon and from 19.5 to 90 mole percent oxygen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mixture additionally comprises helium in a concentration of up to 30 mole percent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mixture additionally comprises carbon dioxide in a concentration of up to 7 mole percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mixture additionally comprises nitrogen in a concentration of up to 70.5 mole percent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stable neon is provided to the subject from a cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the stable neon is part of a gas mixture within the cylinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stable neon is provided to the subject as a gas mixture which is prepared at the use site.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data gathering of step (E) further comprises establishing qualitative physiological information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4586511A
Cited
US4893627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |