US5536489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emulsions as contrast agents and method of use
Assignee: Molecular Biosystems Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-12
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Granted: 1996-07-16
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Expires: 2015-05-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an oil-in-water emulsion that is of a water-insoluble gas-forming chemical and a stabilizer. The emulsion being capable of forming microbubbles of gas upon application of ultrasonic energy. This composition allows for site specific imaging as the image enhancing microbubbles can be released upon the application of ultrasonic energy at the specific location where the image is desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolf Lohrmann
- 👤 Kenneth J. Widder
- 👤 Ashwin M. Krishnan
- 👤 Dung K. Hong
- 👤 Jialun Meng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/226; A61K49/223; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S516/00; Y10S516/924; Y10S516/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method to enhance the contrast of tissues and organs in an ultrasonic image comprising: (a) injecting an emulsion comprising at least one water-insoluble gas-forming chemical and at least one stabilizer into a patient, said emulsion being capable of forming microbubbles of gas upon application of ultrasonic energy (b) applying a sufficient amount of ultrasonic energy to volatilize said chemicals to release microbubbles; and (c) detecting an ultrasonic image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method to enhance the contrast of tissues and organs in an ultrasonic image comprising: (a) injecting an emulsion comprising at least one water-insoluble gas-forming chemical and at least one stabilizer into a patient, said emulsion being capable of forming microbubbles of gas upon application of ultrasonic energy (b) applying a sufficient amount of ultrasonic energy to volatilize said chemicals to release microbubbles; and (c) detecting an ultrasonic image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said stabilizer is a hydrophobic compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said emulsion includes a surface active agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said stabilizer is amphipathic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said amphipathic compound is: ##STR3## wherein the average value of n=75 and the average value of b=30 such that the average molecular weight of said compound is 8350.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said emulsion includes a viscosifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said emulsion includes antioxidants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said emulsion includes a component that imparts tissue specificity to said emulsion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said emulsion includes a component that imparts organ specificity to said emulsion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said water-insoluble gas-forming chemical is nonafluoro-t-butylmethane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said water-insoluble gas forming chemical is perfluoropentane and said stabilizer is lecithin.
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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) | 1999-07-16 | 2000-01-15 | 2000-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-01-15 | 2004-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-15 | 2008-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |