Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) in suitable media to ultrasonic irradiation conditions for a time sufficient to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds; said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used; wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell, wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, and wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) in suitable media to ultrasonic irradiation conditions for a time sufficient to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds; said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used; wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell, wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, and wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinking occurs under static conditions of ultrasonic irradiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinking occurs under continuous flow conditions of ultrasonic irradiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
215 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging agent is a fluorine-containing magnetic imaging agent selected from: (a) C x F 2x+y-z A z , wherein: x=1-30, y=2; or 0 or -2, when x≧2; or -4 when x≧4, z=any whole number from 0 up to (2x+y-1), and A is selected from H, halogens other than F, -CN, -OR, wherein R is H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkenyl, alkynyl, fluoroalkynl, aryl, fluoroaryl, alkanoyl, fluoroalkanoyl, alkenoyl, fluoroalkenoyl, alkynoyl, fluoroalkynoyl, (b) [C x F 2x+y ,-z A z ] a JR b-a , wherein: x, z, A and R are as defined above, y'=+1; or -1 or -3, when x≧2; or -5 when x≧4, J=O, S, N, P, Al or Si, a=1, 2, 3, or 4, and b=2 for a divalent J, or 3 for a trivalent J, or 4 for a tetravalent J, (c) A'-[(CF 2 ) x -O] c -A", wherein: x is as defined above, A' is selected from H, halogens, -CN, -OR, wherein R is H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkenyl, alkynyl, fluoroalkynyl, aryl, fluoroaryl, alkanoyl, fluoroalkanoyl, alkenoyl, fluoroalkenoyl, alkynoyl, fluoroalkynoyl, A" is selected from H or R, wherein R is as defined above, c=1-300, or ##STR2## wherein: x is as defined above, and c'=2-20, as well as mixtures of any two or more thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer and imaging agent(s) are subjected to ultrasonic irradiation conditions comprising acoustic power in the range of about 1 up to 1000 watts/cm 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer and imaging agent(s) are subjected to ultrasonic irradiation conditions comprising acoustic power in the range of about 50 up to 200 watts/cm 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer and imaging agent(s) are subjected to ultrasonic irradiation conditions for less than 5 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer and imaging agent(s) are subjected to ultrasonic irradiation conditions for a time ranging from about 15 seconds up to 60 seconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging agent(s) is (are) initially dissolved or suspended in a dispersing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said dispersing agent is selected from vegetable oil, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic hydrocarbons having 4-30 carbon atoms; aliphatic or aromatic alcohols having 2-30 carbon atoms; aliphatic or aromatic esters having 2-30 carbon atoms; alkyl, aryl, or cyclic ethers having 2-30 carbon atoms; alkyl or aryl halides having 1-30 carbon atoms; ketones having 3-30 carbon atoms; polyalkylene glycols; or combinations of any two or more.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said vegetable oil is selected from soybean oil, mineral oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil, or cotton seed oil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging agent(s) is (are) dissolved in a volatile organic solvent prior to being subjected to ultrasonic irradiation conditions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 8, further comprising evaporating the volatile organic solvent under vacuum prior to suspending said polymeric shells in a biocompatible aqueous liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible aqueous liquid is selected from water, saline, a solution containing appropriate buffers, or a solution containing nutritional agents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein said nutritional agent is selected from amino acids, sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or fats.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric shell comprises polyethylene glycol covalently linked thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging agent(s) is (are) useful for the in vivo determination of local oxygen concentrations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging agent(s) is (are) capable of undergoing a phase transition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer is selected from naturally occurring or synthetic polymers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 19, wherein said naturally occurring polymers are selected from proteins containing sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polypeptides containing sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, lipids containing sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polynucleic acids containing sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, or polysaccharides containing sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method according to claim 19, wherein said synthetic polymers are selected from synthetic polypeptides containing sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyvinyl alcohol modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyacrylic acid modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyethyloxazoline modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyacrylamide modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyvinyl pyrrolidone modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, polyalkylene glycols modified to contain free sulfhydryl groups and/or disulfide groups, as well as mixtures of any two or more thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds occurs by reaction with free radicals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer is albumin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein said biocompatible, naturally occurring polymer is hemoglobin.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein said biocompatible, naturally occurring polymer is gluten.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein said biocompatible, naturally occurring polymer is lipase.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said imaging agent is selected from superparamagnetic or paramagnetic metal particles suspended in a biocompatible medium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said metal particle is iron, iron oxide, manganese or manganese oxide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
215 words
The method according to claim 27, wherein said particles are suspended in a biocompatible fluorocarbon medium selected from: (a) C x F 2x+y-z A z , wherein: x=1-30, y=2; or 0 or -2, when x≧2; or -4 when x≧4, z=any whole number from 0 up to (2x+y-1), and A is selected from H, halogens other than F, -CN, -OR, wherein R is H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkenyl, alkynyl, fluoroalkynl, aryl, fluoroaryl, alkanoyl, fluoroalkanoyl, alkenoyl, fluoroalkenoyl, alkynoyl, fluoroalkynoyl, (b) [C x F 2x+y ,-z A z ] a JR b-a , wherein: x, z, A and R are as defined above, y'=+1; or -1 or -3, when x≧2; or -5 when x≧4, J=O, S, N, P, Al or Si, a=1, 2, 3, or 4, and b=2 for a divalent J, or 3 for a trivalent J, or 4 for a tetravalent J, (c) A'-[(CF 2 ) x -O] c -A", wherein: x is as defined above, A' is selected from H, halogens, -CN, -OR, wherein R is H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyl, fluoroalkenyl, alkynyl, fluoroalkynyl, aryl, fluoroaryl, alkanoyl, fluoroalkanoyl, alkenoyl, fluoroalkenoyl, alkynoyl, fluoroalkynoyl, A" is selected from H or R, wherein R is as defined above, c=1-300, or ##STR3## wherein: x is as defined above, and c'=2-20, as well as mixtures of any two or more thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic resonance imaging agent is selected from gadolinium, dysprosium, or manganese metal complexes that are encapsulated within the polymeric shell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 31, wherein said biocompatible aqueous liquid is selected from water, buffered aqueous media, saline, buffered saline, solutions of amino acids, solutions of sugars, solutions of vitamins, solutions of carbohydrates, or combinations of any two or more thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said agent is contained within said shell neat.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said agent within said shell is dissolved or suspended in a biocompatible dispersing agent.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method according to claim 33, wherein said biocompatible dispersing agent is selected from soybean oil, mineral oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil, cotton seed oil, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons having 4-30 carbon atoms, aliphatic or aromatic alcohols having 2-30 carbon atoms, aliphatic or aromatic esters having 2-30 carbon atoms, alkyl, aryl, or cyclic ethers having 2-30 carbon atoms, alkyl or aryl halides having 1-30 carbon atoms, optionally having more than one halogen substituent, ketones having 3-30 carbon atoms,
Claim 37
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) to conditions suitable to disperse said imaging agent(s) into said biocompatible polymer, and to conditions suitable to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds; said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used; wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell, wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, and wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) to conditions suitable to disperse said imaging agent(s) into said biocompatible polymer, and to conditions suitable to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds; said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used; wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell, wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, and wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery.