US5961459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of hollow microcapsules in diagnosis and therapy
Assignee: Quadrant Healthcare UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-10-17
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Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A diagnostic method analyses the effect of intervention, e.g. by surgery, especially in the myocardium. (i) Hollow microcapsules are administered into a blood vessel of a patient having a perfusion defect, (ii) if desired, an ultrasonic image is formed of the tissue, (iii) the occlusion is at least partially removed such that the blood flow in at least one area of the tissue is increased, and (iv) an ultrasonic image of the tissue is obtained after treatment. This is based on the observation of the particular properties of the microcapsules in the myocardium. It is also the basis of providing appropriate drugs to that site.
Inventors
- 👤 Sanjiv Kaul
- 👤 Richard Alan Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; A61K41/00; A61K41/0028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A diagnostic method which comprises the steps of (i) administering hollow microcapsules into a blood vessel of a patient having a perfusion defect; (ii) treating the patient, to remove an occlusion at least partially, such that blood flow in at least one area of tissue affected by the defect is increased; and (iii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of the tissue post-treatment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A diagnostic method which comprises the steps of (i) administering hollow microcapsules into a blood vessel of a patient having a perfusion defect; (ii) treating the patient, to remove an occlusion at least partially, such that blood flow in at least one area of tissue affected by the defect is increased; and (iii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of the tissue post-treatment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment is surgical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment is by thrombolysis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, which additionally comprises obtaining ultrasonic images of the tissue substantially continuously, to provide a real-time visualisation of the tissue before, during and after the treatment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said administering step consists of a single administration of said microcapsules before said treatment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the tissue is cardiac tissue, especially the myocardium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsules are obtained or obtainable by spray-drying a solution of a wall-forming material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the wall-forming material is a protein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the protein is albumin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsules have a diameter of 1-20 μm, with a median diameter of 6-15 μm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A diagnostic method according to claim 1, which further comprises obtaining an ultrasonic image of said tissue prior to said treatment.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for diagnosing, by ultrasonic imaging, the effect of treatment of an occlusion in a patient having a perfusion defect, said method comprising: (i) administering to said patient hollow microcapsules capable of being retained in capillary beds, before said treatment; and (ii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of tissue affected by said perfusion defect post-treatment.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for diagnosing, by ultrasonic imaging, the effect of treatment of an occlusion in a patient having a perfusion defect, said method comprising: (i) administering to said patient hollow microcapsules capable of being retained in capillary beds, before said treatment; and (ii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of tissue affected by said perfusion defect post-treatment.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for obtaining ultrasonic images of tissue of a patient having a perfusion defect, said method comprising: (i) administering hollow microcapsules to said patient; and (ii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of said tissue, wherein said images are obtained before and after treatment of an occlusion in said patient.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for obtaining ultrasonic images of tissue of a patient having a perfusion defect, said method comprising: (i) administering hollow microcapsules to said patient; and (ii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of said tissue, wherein said images are obtained before and after treatment of an occlusion in said patient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said treatment is surgical.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said treatment is by thrombolysis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a drug is incorporated or linked in, on or onto said microcapsules.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for treating tissue having a perfusion defect comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of hollow microcapsules to said tissue before treatment of an occlusion in said tissue, wherein said microcapsules are capable of being retained in capillary beds and have a drug bound thereto.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for treating tissue having a perfusion defect comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of hollow microcapsules to said tissue before treatment of an occlusion in said tissue, wherein said microcapsules are capable of being retained in capillary beds and have a drug bound thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the tissue is cardiac tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein the tissue is the myocardium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12, 13 or 17, wherein said microcapsules are obtained by spray-drying a solution of a wall-forming material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said wall-forming material is a protein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said protein is albumin.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 12, 13 or 17, wherein said microcapsules have a diameter of 1-20 μm, with a median diameter of 6-15 μm.
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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) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |