Patent US5611344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5611344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microencapsulated fluorinated gases for use as imaging agents
Assignee: Acusphere Inc
•
Filing: 1996-03-05
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Granted: 1997-03-18
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Expires: 2016-03-05
Abstract
Abstract It has been discovered that the incorporation of fluorinated gases, especially a perfluorocarbon such as octafluoropropane, into synthetic polymeric microparticles, significantly enhances echogenicity as compared with microparticles having air incorporated therein. The microencapsulated perfluorocarbon is manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, for intravenous or oral administration. In one embodiment, bioadhesive microparticles are formed for enhanced imaging of mucosal surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Bernstein
- 👤 Julie A. Straub
- 👤 Henry T. Brush
- 👤 Richard E. Wing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for enhancing ultrasonic imaging comprising enhancing the echogenicity of a synthetic polymeric microparticle comprising air by incorporating therein a fluorinated gas in place of the air in an amount effective to image the microparticle after administration to a patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for enhancing ultrasonic imaging comprising enhancing the echogenicity of a synthetic polymeric microparticle comprising air by incorporating therein a fluorinated gas in place of the air in an amount effective to image the microparticle after administration to a patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gas is a perfluorocarbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of CF 4 , C 2 F 6 , C 3 F 8 , C 4 F 8 , SF 6 , C 2 F 4 , and C 3 F 6 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the gas is octafluoropropane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the microparticle is a microcapsule.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the microparticle is a microsphere having voids therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the microparticle is formed of a bioadhesive synthetic polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the microparticle is formed of a synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(hydroxy acids), polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene terepthalates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polysiloxanes, poly(vinyl alcohols), poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyurethanes and co-polymers thereof, synthetic celluloses, polyacrylic acids, poly(butyric acid), poly(valeric acid), and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymers and blends thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the microparticle is a microcapsule.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the microparticle is a microsphere having voids therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the microparticle is formed of a bioadhesive synthetic polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the microparticle is formed of a synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(hydroxy acids) other than a polyethylene glycol and poly(lactic acid-co-glycolide) copolymer, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyalkylenes, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene terepthalates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polysiloxanes, poly(vinyl alcohols), poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyurethanes and co-polymers thereof, synthetic celluloses, polyacrylic acids, poly(butyric acid), poly(valeric acid), and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), ethylene vinyl acetate, copolymers and blends thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the gas is a perfluorocarbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The composition of claim 13 wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of CF 4 , C 2 F 6 , C 3 F 8 , C 4 F 8 , SF 6 , C 2 F 4 , and C 3 F 6 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The composition of claim 14 wherein the perfluorocarbon is octafluoropropane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
A composition for administration to a patient for imaging with ultrasound comprising a synthetic biocompatible polymeric microparticle having incorporated therein an effective amount of a fluorinated gas for enhanced imaging by ultrasound after administration to a patient as compared with the microparticle incorporating therein an equivalent volume of air, wherein the microparticle is not formed of a polyethylene glycol and poly(lactic acid-co-glycolide) copolymer and the gas is not a perfluorocarbon, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration of the microparticles to a patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A composition for administration to a patient for imaging with ultrasound comprising a synthetic biocompatible polymeric microparticle having incorporated therein an effective amount of a fluorinated gas for enhanced imaging by ultrasound after administration to a patient as compared with the microparticle incorporating therein an equivalent volume of air, wherein the microparticle is not formed of a polyethylene glycol and poly(lactic acid-co-glycolide) copolymer and the gas is not a perfluorocarbon, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration of the microparticles to a patient.
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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) | 2000-03-17 | 2000-09-16 | 2001-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-17 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-17 | 2008-09-16 | 2009-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |