US5179955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of abdominal ultrasound imaging
Assignee: Molecular Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-28
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Granted: 1993-01-19
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Expires: 2011-05-28
Abstract
Abstract Abdominal ultrasound imaging is carried out by oral or rectal administration of an aqueous imaging agent containing micron size clay particles together with a sufficient amount of a solubilized hydrocolloid to maintain the particles in suspension. The walls of the stomach, duodenum and colon become coated with the clay particles and are thereby more clearly delineated by the ultrasonic imaging beam. At the same time, ultrasonic waves partially pass through the walls and delineate structures outside thereof. Wall delineation and wall transparency can thereby be simultaneously achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold B. Levene
- 👤 James L. Barnhart
- 👤 Kenneth J. Widder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/04; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In a method of abdominal ultrasound imaging, the steps comprising: introducing an aqueous dispersion of hydrous edible clay particles into a portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract associated with the abdominal region to be examined, said clay particles being sized below 10 microns and said dispersion containing from 0.1 to 10 grams of the particles per 100 milliliters of water together with a sufficient amount of a solubilized hydrocolloid to maintain the particles in suspension during said introduction; and, after said dispersion has coated the GI tract walls in said region, applying an ultrasonic imaging beam to said region to delineate said walls and structures outside thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method of abdominal ultrasound imaging, the steps comprising: introducing an aqueous dispersion of hydrous edible clay particles into a portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract associated with the abdominal region to be examined, said clay particles being sized below 10 microns and said dispersion containing from 0.1 to 10 grams of the particles per 100 milliliters of water together with a sufficient amount of a solubilized hydrocolloid to maintain the particles in suspension during said introduction; and, after said dispersion has coated the GI tract walls in said region, applying an ultrasonic imaging beam to said region to delineate said walls and structures outside thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method steps of claim 1 in which said edible clay is kaolin and said hydrocolloid is pectin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method steps of claim 1 or claim 2 in which said dispersion contains from 0.1 to 10 grams of hydrocolloid per 100 milliliters of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method steps of claim 1 or claim 2 in which said dispersion has a viscosity of from 10 to 2500 centipoise.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a method of abdominal ultrasound imaging, the steps comprising: introducing an aqueous dispersion of hydrous edible clay particles into a portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract associated with the abdominal region to be examined, said clay particles being sized below 10 microns and being selected from the group consisting of kaolin, kaolinite, bentonite, montmorillonite, Fuller's earth, and attapulgite, said dispersion containing from 0.1 to 10 grams of the particles per 100 milliliters of water together with a sufficient amount of a solubilized hydrocolloid to maintain the particles in suspension during said introduction, said aqueous dispersion having a viscosity in the range from 10 to 2500 centipoise; and , after said dispersion has coated the GI tract walls in said region, applying an ultrasonic imaging beam to said region to delineate said walls and structures outside thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a method of abdominal ultrasound imaging, the steps comprising: introducing an aqueous dispersion of hydrous edible clay particles into a portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract associated with the abdominal region to be examined, said clay particles being sized below 10 microns and being selected from the group consisting of kaolin, kaolinite, bentonite, montmorillonite, Fuller's earth, and attapulgite, said dispersion containing from 0.1 to 10 grams of the particles per 100 milliliters of water together with a sufficient amount of a solubilized hydrocolloid to maintain the particles in suspension during said introduction, said aqueous dispersion having a viscosity in the range from 10 to 2500 centipoise; and , after said dispersion has coated the GI tract walls in said region, applying an ultrasonic imaging beam to said region to delineate said walls and structures outside thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method steps of claim 5 in which said edible clay is kaolin and said hydrocolloid is pectin.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
25 words
The method steps of claims 5 or 6 in which said dispersion contains from 0.1 to 10 grams of hydrocolloid per 100 milliliters of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method of abdominal ultrasound imaging, the steps comprising: introducing an aqueous dispersion of hydrous edible clay particles into a portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract associated with the abdominal region to be examined, said clay particles being sized below 5 microns and said dispersion containing from 1 to 5 grams of the particles per 100 milliliters of water together with 1 to 5 grams of a solubilized hydrocolloid per 100 milliliters of water, the amount of said hydrocolloid being sufficient to maintain the particles in suspension during said introduction, said dispersion having a viscosity of from 100 to 1500 centipoises; and, after said dispersion has coated the GI tract walls in said region, applying an ultrasonic imaging beam to said region to delineate said walls and structures outside thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method of abdominal ultrasound imaging, the steps comprising: introducing an aqueous dispersion of hydrous edible clay particles into a portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract associated with the abdominal region to be examined, said clay particles being sized below 5 microns and said dispersion containing from 1 to 5 grams of the particles per 100 milliliters of water together with 1 to 5 grams of a solubilized hydrocolloid per 100 milliliters of water, the amount of said hydrocolloid being sufficient to maintain the particles in suspension during said introduction, said dispersion having a viscosity of from 100 to 1500 centipoises; and, after said dispersion has coated the GI tract walls in said region, applying an ultrasonic imaging beam to said region to delineate said walls and structures outside thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method steps of claim 8 in which said clay selected from the group consisting of: kaolin, kaolinite, bentonite, montmorillonite, Fuller's earth, and attapulgite.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
20 words
The method steps of claims 8 or 9 in which said edible clay is kaolin and said hydrocolloid is pectin.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
30 words
The method steps of claims 1, 5 or 8 in which said dispersion is introduced orally and said region to be examined is associated with the stomach and upper colon.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
28 words
The method steps of claims 1, 5 or 8 in which said dispersion is introduced rectally and said region to be examined is associated with the lower colon.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
17 words
The method steps of claims 1, 5 or 8 in which said dispersion contains a degassing agent.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
26 words
The method of claims 1, 5 or 8 in which said dispersion contains polysiloxane degassing agent in an effective amount for promoting degassing of the stomach.
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) | 1996-01-19 | 1996-07-20 | 1997-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-19 | 2000-07-20 | 2001-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-19 | 2004-07-20 | 2005-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |