US5368840A
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US
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Natural polymers as contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging
Assignee: ImaRx Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 1992-10-13
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Granted: 1994-11-29
•
Expires: 2012-10-13
Abstract
Abstract Novel contrast media for use in magnetic resonance imaging are described. Such contrast media are comprised of biocompatible polymers either alone or in admixture with one or more contrast agents such as paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or proton density contrast agents. Additionally, the polymers or polymer and contrast agent admixtures may be mixed with one or more biocompatible gases to increase the relaxivity of the resultant preparation, and/or with other components. In a preferable embodiment, the contrast medium is hypoosmotic.
Inventors
- 👤 Evan C. Unger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/06; A61K49/08; A61K49/10; A61K49/101; A61K49/103; A61K49/105; A61K49/12; A61K49/126; A61K49/128; A61K49/18; A61K49/1806; A61K49/1818; A61K49/1821; A61K49/1824; A61K49/1827; A61K49/1833; A61K49/1845; A61K49/1851; A61K49/1863; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y5/00; C; C08; C08L; C08L71/00; C08L71/02; G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/54; G01R33/56; G01R33/5601; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/806; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 119
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A contrast medium for use in magnetic resonance imaging of a patient comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer in admixture with a contrast agent, wherein the contrast medium is hypoosmotic to bodily fluids of the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A contrast medium for use in magnetic resonance imaging of a patient comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer in admixture with a contrast agent, wherein the contrast medium is hypoosmotic to bodily fluids of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the hypoosmotic contrast medium has an osmolarity of less than 280 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contrast medium of claim 2 wherein the osmolarity is between about 200 and about 270 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contrast medium of claim 3 wherein the osmolarity is between about 220 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contrast medium of claim 4 wherein the osmolarity is between about 250 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a polyuronic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of arabinans, fructans, fucans, galactans, galacturonans, glucans, mannans, xylans, levan, fucoidan, carrageenan, galactocarolose, pectin, pectic acid, amyloser pullulan, glycogen, amylopectin, cellulose, carboxylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, dextran, pustulan, chitin, agarose, keratan, chondroitin, dermatan, hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, and polysaccharides containing at least one aldose, ketose, acid or amine selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, psicose, fructose, sorbose, tagatose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, galacturonic acid, mannuronic acid, glucosamine, galactosamine and neuraminic acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic, superparamagnetic and proton density contrast agents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contrast medium of claim 11 wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic contrast agent which is a transition, lanthanide or actinide element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contrast medium of claim 12 wherein the paramagnetic contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of Gd(III), Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Er(II), Ni(II), Eu(III) and Dy(III).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A contrast medium of claim 13 wherein the paramagnetic contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 further comprising a suspending agent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A contrast medium of claim 15 wherein the suspending agent is selected from the group consisting of xanthum gum, acacia, agar, alginic acid, aluminum monostearate, bassorin, karaya, gum arabic, unpurified bentonite, purified bentonite, bentonite magma, calcium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, microcrystalline cellulose, dextran, gelatin, guar gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, pectin, casein, gelatin, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, propylene glycol, alginate, silicon dioxide, silicon dioxide colloidal, alginate, sodium alginate, and tragacanth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A contrast medium of claim 16 wherein the suspending agent is xanthan gum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 further comprising an osmotically active material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
A contrast medium of claim 18 wherein the osmotically active material is selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, idose, galactose, talose, ribulose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, sedoheptulose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, cellobiose, glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, histidine, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A contrast medium of claim 19 wherein the osmotically active material is glycine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 further comprising a pH regulating additive effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and about 10.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contrast medium of claim 21 wherein the pH regulating additive is effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and 8.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 further comprising a suspending agent, an osmotically active material, and a pH regulating additive effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and about 10.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
A contrast medium of claim 23 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000, the contrast agent is Mn(II), the suspending agent is xanthan gum, the osmotically active material is glycine, and the pH regulating additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, glacial acetic acid and sodium acetate buffer, and wherein the contrast medium has an osmolarity of between about 200 and about 270 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
143 words
A contrast medium of claim 23 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000 in an amount between about 5 and about 10 grams/liter, the contrast agent is Mn(II) in an amount between about 20 and about 70 milligrams/liter, the suspending agent is xanthan gum in an amount between about 0.5 and about 3.0 grams/liter, the osmotically active material is glycine in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter, and the pH regulating additive is effective to maintain the pH between about 5 and about 8 and is a combination of sodium bicarbonate in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter and sodium acetate buffer in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter, and wherein the contrast medium has an osmolarity of between about 250 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 which is a contrast medium for use in imaging a gastrointestinal region of a patient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 which is a contrast medium for use in imaging vasculature of a patient.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of providing an image of an internal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer in admixture with a contrast agent, wherein the contrast medium is hypoosmotic to bodily fluids of the patient, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of the region.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of providing an image of an internal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer in admixture with a contrast agent, wherein the contrast medium is hypoosmotic to bodily fluids of the patient, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of the region.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the region is the gastrointestinal region.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the region is the vasculature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the hypoosmotic contrast medium has an osmolarity of less than 280 milliosmoles/liter,
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 31 wherein the osmolarity is between about 200 and about 270 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 32 wherein the osmolarity is between about 220 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 33 wherein the osmolarity is between about 250 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the polymer is a polyuronic acid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of arabinans, fructans, fucans, galactans, galacturonans, glucans, mannans, xylans, levan, fucoidan, carrageenan, galactocarolose, pectin, pectic acid, amylose, pullulan, glycogen, amylopectin, cellulose, carboxylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, dextran, pustulan, chitin, agarose, keratan, chondroitin, dermatan, hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, and polysaccharides containing at least one aldose, ketose, acid or amine selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, psicose, fructose, sorbose, tagatose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, galacturonic acid, mannuronic acid, glucosamine, galactosamine and neuraminic acid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic, superparamagnetic and proton density contrast agents.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 40 wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic contrast agent which is a transition, lanthanide or actinide element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of claim 41 wherein the paramagnetic contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of Gd(III), Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Er(II), Ni(II), Eu(III) and Dy(III).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 42 wherein the paramagnetic contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method of claim 28 further comprising a suspending agent.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method of claim 44 wherein the suspending agent is selected from the group consisting of xanthum gum, acacia, agar, alginic acid, aluminum monostearate, bassorin, karaya, gum arabic, unpurified bentonite, purified bentonite, bentonite magna, calcium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, microcrystalline cellulose, dextran, gelatin, guar gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, pectin, casein, gelatin, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, propylene glycol., alginate, silicon dioxide, silicon dioxide colloidal, alginate, sodium alginate, and tragacanth.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 45 wherein the suspending agent is xanthan gum.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 28 further comprising an osmotically active material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method of claim 47 wherein the osmotically active material is selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, idose, galactose, talose, ribulose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, sedoheptulose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, cellubiose, glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, histidine, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 48 wherein the osmotically active material is glycine.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 28 further comprising a pH regulating additive effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and about 10.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 50 wherein the pH regulating additive is effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and 8.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of claim 28 further comprising a suspending agent, an osmotically active material, and a pH regulating additive effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and about 10.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method of claim 52 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000, the contrast agent is Mn(II), the suspending agent is xanthan gum, the osmotically active material is glycine, and the pH regulating additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, glacial acetic acid and sodium acetate buffer, and wherein the contrast medium has an osmolarity of between about 200 and about 270 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
142 words
A method of claim 52 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000 in an amount between about 5 and about 10 grams/liter, the contrast agent is Mn(II) in an amount between about 20 and about 70 milligrams/liter, the suspending agent is xanthan gum in an amount between about 0.5 and about 3.0 grams/liter, the osmotically active material is glycine in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter, and the pH regulating additive is effective to maintain the pH between about 5 and about 8 and is a combination of sodium bicarbonate in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter and sodium acetate buffer in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter, and wherein the contrast medium has an osmolarity of between about 250 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer in admixture with a contrast agent, wherein the contrast medium is hypoosmotic to bodily fluids of the patient, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of any diseased tissue in the patient.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer in admixture with a contrast agent, wherein the contrast medium is hypoosmotic to bodily fluids of the patient, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of any diseased tissue in the patient.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the scanning is of the gastrointestinal region of the patient.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the scanning is of the vasculature of the patient.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 55 wherein said hypoosmotic contrast medium has an osmolarity of less than milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 58 wherein said osmolarity is between about 200 and about 270 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 59 wherein said osmolarity is between about 220 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 60 wherein said osmolarity is between about 250 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the polymer is a polyuronic acid.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of arabinans, fructans, fucans, galactans, galacturonans, glucans, mannans, xylans, levan, fucoidan, carrageenan, galactocarolose, pectin, pectic acid, amylose, pullulan, glycogen, amylopectin, cellulose, carboxylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, dextran, pustulan, chitin, agarose, keratan, chondroitin, dermatan, hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, and polysaccharides containing at least one aldose, ketose, acid or amine selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, psicose, fructose, sorbose, tagatose, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, galacturonic acid, mannuronic acid, glucosamine, galactosamine and neuraminic acid.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic, superparamagnetic and proton density contrast agents.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 67 wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic contrast agent which is a transition, lanthanide or actinide element.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of claim 68 wherein the paramagnetic contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of Gd(III), Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Er(II), Ni(II), Eu(III) and Dy(III).
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 69 wherein the paramagnetic contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method of claim 55 further comprising a suspending agent.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method of claim 71 wherein the suspending agent is selected from the group consisting of xanthum gum, acacia, agar, alginic acid, aluminum monostearate, bassorin, karaya, gum arabic, unpurified bentonite, purified bentonite, bentonite magma, calcium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, microcrystalline cellulose, dextran, gelatin, guar gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, pectin, casein, gelatin, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, propylene glycol, alginate, silicon dioxide, silicon dioxide colloidal, alginate, sodium alginate, and tragacanth.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 72 wherein the suspending agent is xanthan gum.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 55 further comprising an osmotically active material.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method of claim 74 wherein the osmotically active material is selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, idose, galactose, talose, ribulose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, sedoheptulose, lactose, sucrose, maltose, cellobiose, glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, histidine, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 75 wherein the osmotically active material is glycine.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 55 further comprising a pH regulating additive effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and about 10.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of claim 77 wherein the pH regulating additive is effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and 8.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of claim 55 further comprising a suspending agent, an osmotically active material, and a pH regulating additive effective to maintain a pH of between about 3 and about 10.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method of claim 79 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000, the contrast agent is Mn(II), the suspending agent is xanthan gum, the osmotically active material is glycine, and the pH regulating additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, glacial acetic acid and sodium acetate buffer, and wherein the contrast medium has an osmolarity of between about 200 and about 270 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
142 words
A method of claim 79 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000 in an amount between about 5 and about 10 grams/liter, the contrast agent is Mn(II) in an amount between about 20 and about 70 milligrams/liter, the suspending agent is xanthan gum in an amount between about 0.5 and about 3.0 grams/liter, the osmotically active material is glycine in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter, and the pH regulating additive is effective to maintain the pH between about 5 and about 8 and is a combination of sodium bicarbonate in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter and sodium acetate buffer in an amount between about 2 and about 6 grams/liter, and wherein the contrast medium has an osmolarity of between about 250 and about 260 milliosmoles/liter.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
38 words
A contrast medium for magnetic resonance imaging comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a bicompatible polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid and hyaluronic acid, in admixture with a contrast agent.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
38 words
A contrast medium for magnetic resonance imaging comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a bicompatible polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid and hyaluronic acid, in admixture with a contrast agent.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 82 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contrast medium of claim 83 wherein the contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, and proton density contrast agents.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
14 words
A contrast medium of claim 84 wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic agent.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 85 wherein the paramagnetic agent is Mn(II).
Claim 91
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of providing an image of an internal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid, and hyaluronic acid, in admixture with a contrast agent, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of the region.
Claim 92
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of providing an image of an internal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid, and hyaluronic acid, in admixture with a contrast agent, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of the region.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method of claim 87 wherein the region is the gastrointestinal region.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 87 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 89 wherein the contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, and protein density contrast agents.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 90 wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic agent.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 91 wherein the paramagnetic agent is Mn(II).
Claim 98
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid, and hyaluronic acid in admixture with a contrast agent, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of any diseased tissue in the patient.
Claim 99
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a diagnostically effective amount of a contrast medium comprising an aqueous solution or suspension of a biocompatible natural polymer selected from the group consisting of polygalacturonic acid, polyglucuronic acid, polymannuronic acid, and hyaluronic acid in admixture with a contrast agent, and (ii) scanning the patient using magnetic resonance imaging to obtain visible images of any diseased tissue in the patient.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 93 wherein the scanning is of the gastrointestinal region of the patient.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 93 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 95 wherein the contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, and protein density contrast agents.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 96 wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic agent.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 97 wherein the paramagnetic agent is Mn(II).
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contrast medium of claim 1 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 55 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contrast medium of claim 82 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 89 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 93 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid having a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 99 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 100 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 101 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 102 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 103 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 104 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 4 wherein the polymer is polygalacturonic acid.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
20 words
A contrast medium of claim 111 wherein the polygalacturonic acid has a weight average molecular weight of less than 30,000.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
12 words
A contrast medium of claim 112 wherein the contrast agent is Mn(II).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |