US5558094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for using persistent gases as ultrasound contrast media
Assignee: GE Healthcare Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-02-01
•
Granted: 1996-09-24
•
Expires: 2015-02-01
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or "microbubbles," comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven M. Quay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: introducing a collection of free gas microbubbles of a biocompatible chemical into an animal, said chemical having a Q coefficient greater than 30 where Q is the ratio of the persistence of microbubbles of said gas in an aqueous solution to the persistence of microbubbles of air in said solution; and performing an ultrasound scan on said animal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: introducing a collection of free gas microbubbles of a biocompatible chemical into an animal, said chemical having a Q coefficient greater than 30 where Q is the ratio of the persistence of microbubbles of said gas in an aqueous solution to the persistence of microbubbles of air in said solution; and performing an ultrasound scan on said animal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is hexafluoropropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is octafluoropropane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is hexafluoroethane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is octafluoro-2-butene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is hexafluoro-2-butyne.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is hexafluorobuta-1,3-diene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is octafluorocyclobutane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is decafluorobutane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical is dodecafluoropentane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said chemical is fluorine containing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said chemical is a perfluorocarbon.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: introducing a collection of microbubbles of a biocompatible chemical into an animal, where said chemical is selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, octafluoropropane, octafluoro-2-butene, hexafluoro-2-butyne, hexafluorobuta-1,3-diene, octafluorocyclobutane, decafluorobutane and dodecafluoropentane; and performing an ultrasound scan on said animal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: introducing a collection of microbubbles of a biocompatible chemical into an animal, where said chemical is selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, octafluoropropane, octafluoro-2-butene, hexafluoro-2-butyne, hexafluorobuta-1,3-diene, octafluorocyclobutane, decafluorobutane and dodecafluoropentane; and performing an ultrasound scan on said animal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of preparing a dispersion of a biocompatible chemical in an aqueous solution, said chemical having a Q coefficient greater than 30 where Q is the ratio of the persistence of microbubbles of said chemical in an aqueous solution to the persistence of microbubbles of air in said solution, infusing free gas microbubbles of said chemical in said dispersion into an organism, and performing a human ultrasound scan on said organism.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of preparing a dispersion of a biocompatible chemical in an aqueous solution, said chemical having a Q coefficient greater than 30 where Q is the ratio of the persistence of microbubbles of said chemical in an aqueous solution to the persistence of microbubbles of air in said solution, infusing free gas microbubbles of said chemical in said dispersion into an organism, and performing a human ultrasound scan on said organism.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: (1) providing a biocompatible ultrasound contrast agent comprising dodecafluoropentane to an organism; and (2) subjecting said organism to an ultrasound scan.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: (1) providing a biocompatible ultrasound contrast agent comprising dodecafluoropentane to an organism; and (2) subjecting said organism to an ultrasound scan.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: (1) providing a biocompatible ultrasound contrast agent comprising dodecafluoropentane to a human; and (2) subjecting said human to an ultrasound scan.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: (1) providing a biocompatible ultrasound contrast agent comprising dodecafluoropentane to a human; and (2) subjecting said human to an ultrasound scan.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: (1) providing a biocompatible ultrasound contrast agent comprising a member of the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, octafluoropropane, octofluoro-2-butene, hexafluoro-2-butyne, hexafluorobuta-1,3-diene, octafluorocyclobutane and decafluorobutane to an animal; and (2) performing an ultrasound scan on said animal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of ultrasound imaging comprising the steps of: (1) providing a biocompatible ultrasound contrast agent comprising a member of the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, octafluoropropane, octofluoro-2-butene, hexafluoro-2-butyne, hexafluorobuta-1,3-diene, octafluorocyclobutane and decafluorobutane to an animal; and (2) performing an ultrasound scan on said animal.
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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) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-03-25 | 2000-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | 2004-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-24 | 2008-03-25 | 2008-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |