US6051208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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In vivo magnetic resonance vascular imaging using laser-polarized gas microbubbles
Assignee: Duke University
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Filing: 1999-04-08
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Granted: 2000-04-18
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Expires: 2019-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images of a human or animal subject's vascular system are enhanced by injecting a liquid comprised of a biocompatible liquid carrier and a dispersion of hyperpolarized gas microbubbles into the subject, followed by generating an image by NMR representing a spatial distribution of the hyperpolarized gas microbubbles injected into the human or animal subject's vascular system. Preferably, the hyperpolarized gas is Helium-3 and/or Xenon-129. The microbubbles most preferably have a mean diameter of less than about 35 μm.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Allan Johnson
- 👤 Mark S. Chawla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/54; G01R33/56; G01R33/5601; A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/06; A61K49/18; A61K49/1806; A61K49/1815; G01R33/563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging of a vascular system of a human or animal subject comprising: (a) injecting a liquid comprised of a biocompatible liquid carrier and a dispersion of hyperpolarized gas microbubbles into the human or animal subject's vascular system; and then (b) generating an image by NMR representing a spatial distribution of said hyperpolarized gas microbubbles injected into the human or animal subject's vascular system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging of a vascular system of a human or animal subject comprising: (a) injecting a liquid comprised of a biocompatible liquid carrier and a dispersion of hyperpolarized gas microbubbles into the human or animal subject's vascular system; and then (b) generating an image by NMR representing a spatial distribution of said hyperpolarized gas microbubbles injected into the human or animal subject's vascular system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the hyperpolarized gas is a noble gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the hyperpolarized noble gas is Helium-3 and/or Xenon-129.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to step (a), the step of mixing the liquid carrier and an NMR effective amount of the hyperpolarized gas under sufficient agitation conditions to achieve microbubbles of said hyperpolarized gas suspended in said liquid carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein prior to said mixing step, there is practiced the step of subjecting a non-polarized noble gas to spin-exchange polarization to achieve a hyperpolarized noble gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said step of subjecting the non-polarized noble gas to spin-exchange is practiced such that the noble gas is polarized between about 10% to about 15%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the microbubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 35 μm.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is practiced in vivo with a human or animal subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A biocompatible injectable liquid to enhance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images of human or animal vascular systems comprising: (a) a biocompatible liquid carrier; and (b) a NMR enhancing effective amount of hyperpolarized noble gas microbubbles suspended in said liquid carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A biocompatible injectable liquid to enhance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images of human or animal vascular systems comprising: (a) a biocompatible liquid carrier; and (b) a NMR enhancing effective amount of hyperpolarized noble gas microbubbles suspended in said liquid carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The injectable liquid of claim 9, wherein the hyperpolarized noble gas is Helium-3 and/or Xenon-129.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The injectable liquid of claim 9 or 10, wherein the hyperpolarized noble gas microbubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 35 μm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The injectable liquid of claim 9 or 10, wherein the hyperpolarized gas is spin-polarized between about 10% to about 15%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-18 | 2003-10-18 | 2004-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-18 | 2007-10-18 | 2008-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-18 | 2011-10-18 | 2012-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |