US6071494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for diagnostic imaging using a contrast agent and a renal vasodilator
Assignee: ImaRx Therapeutics Inc
•
Filing: 1998-08-28
•
Granted: 2000-06-06
•
Expires: 2018-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing an image of an internal region of a patient has been developed. The method reduces imaging artifacts by providing enhanced contrast between tissue and blood during imaging. The method comprises administering to a patient a contrast agent in combination with a renal vasodilator and performing ultrasound imaging of the region. Renal disease, including renal arterial stenosis, may be diagnosed using the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Evan C. Unger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/41; A61B5/411; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; A61K49/227; A61B5/20; A61B5/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 101
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for providing an image of the renal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle composition which comprises lipid, protein or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of the renal region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for providing an image of the renal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle composition which comprises lipid, protein or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of the renal region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicles comprise lipid vesicles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said vesicle composition comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting of micelles and liposomes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said lipids comprise a phospholipid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said phospholipids are selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said phosphatidylcholine is selected from the group consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and distearoylphosphatidylcholine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said phosphatidylcholine comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, N-succinyldioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine and 1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said phosphatidylethanolamine comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said phosphatidic acid comprises dipalmitolylphosphatidic acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said lipid further comprises a polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said polymer comprises a hydrophilic polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said hydrophilic polymer comprises polyethylene glycol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicles comprise protein vesicles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said protein comprises albumin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicles comprise polymer vesicles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein said polymers comprise synthetic polymers or copolymers which are prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethyleneimine, crotonic acid, acrylamide, ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, lactic acid, glycolic acid, ε-caprolactone, acrolein, cyanoacrylate, cyanomethacrylate, bisphenol A, epichlorhydrin, hydroxyalkylacrylates, siloxane, dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted methacrylamides, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2,4-pentadiene-1-ol, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene, p-amino-styrene, p-aminobenzylstyrene, sodium styrene sulfonate, sodium 2-sulfoxyethyl-methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, aminoethyl methacrylates and 2-methacryloyloxytrimethyl-ammonium chloride.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein said polymers comprise synthetic polymers or copolymers selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, polycyanomethacrylate, polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, polylactic acid, poly(ε-caprolactone), epoxy resin, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene glycol), polyamide, polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein said polymers comprise polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises a gas and wherein said gas comprises a fluorinated gas.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein said fluorinated gas is a perfluorocarbon gas.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein said perfluorocarbon gas is selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane and perfluorocyclobutane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein said fluorinated gas is selected from the group consisting of sulfur hexafluoride and heptafluoropropane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises a gaseous precursor and said gaseous precursor has a boiling point of greater than about 37° C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said gaseous precursor comprises a fluorinated gaseous precursor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein said fluorinated gaseous precursor comprises a perfluorocarbon gaseous precursor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein said perfluorocarbon gaseous precursor is selected from the group consisting of perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane and perfluoroheptane.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said diagnostic imaging comprises computed tomography imaging.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said diagnostic imaging comprises ultrasound imaging.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said vesicles comprise unilamellar vesicles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein said vesicles comprise one monolayer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein said lipids comprise phospholipids.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein said vesicles comprise one bilayer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein said lipids comprise phospholipids.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said vesicles are selected from the group consisting of oligolamellar and multilamellar vesicles.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein said lipids comprise phospholipids.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said renal vasodilator enhances brightness in the diagnostic image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said renal vasodilator substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the diagnostic image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicle composition further comprises an additional bioactive agent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising applying ultrasound energy sufficient to rupture said vesicles.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 40 wherein said ultrasound imaging is pulsed harmonic imaging and said vesicle composition is administered by continuous intravenous infision.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said renal vasodilator is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein said renal vasodilator contains a sulfhydryl group.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 43 wherein said renal vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of captopril, fentiapril, pivalopril, zofenopril, and alacepril.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein said renal vasodilator contains two carboxyl groups.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 45 wherein said renal vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of lisinopril, benazepril, quinapril, moexipril, ramipril, spirapril, perindopril, indolapril, pentopril, indalapril, cilazapril, enalapril, and enalaprilat.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 46 wherein said renal vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of benazepril, enalapril, and enalaprilat.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 42 wherein said renal vasodilator contains phosphorus.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 48 wherein said renal vasodilator is fosinopril.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for providing an image of the renal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a composition comprising a lipid, protein, or polymer, and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of the renal region.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for providing an image of the renal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a composition comprising a lipid, protein, or polymer, and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of the renal region.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said composition comprises a lipid.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 51 wherein said lipid comprises a phospholipid.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 52 wherein said phospholipid is selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 53 wherein said phosphatidylcholine is selected from the group consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and distearoylphosphatidylcholine.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 54 wherein said phosphatidylcholine comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 53 wherein said phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, N-succinyldioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine and 1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 56 wherein said phosphatidylethanolamine comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 53 wherein said phosphatidic acid comprises dipalmitolylphosphatidic acid.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 51 wherein said lipid composition comprises a vesicle composition.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 59 wherein said vesicle composition comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting of micelles and liposomes.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 59 wherein said lipid composition comprises an emulsion, suspension, or dispersion.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 51 wherein said lipid further comprises a polymer.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 62 wherein said polymer comprises a hydrophilic polymer.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 63 wherein said hydrophilic polymer comprises polyethylene glycol.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said composition comprises a protein.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said protein comprises albumin.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method according to claim 62 wherein said polymer comprises a synthetic polymer or copolymer which is prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethyleneimine, crotonic acid, acrylamide, ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, lactic acid, glycolic acid, ε-caprolactone, acrolein, cyanoacrylate, cyanomethacrylate, bisphenol A, epichlorhydrin, hydroxyalkylacrylates, siloxane, dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted methacrylamides, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2,4-pentadiene-1-ol, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene, p-amino-styrene, p-aminobenzylstyrene, sodium styrene sulfonate, sodium 2-sulfoxyethyl-methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, aminoethyl methacrylates and 2-methacryloyloxytrimethyl-ammonium chloride.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 67 wherein said polymer comprises a synthetic polymer or copolymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, polycyanomethacrylate, polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, polylactic acid, poly(ε-caprolactone), epoxy resin, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene glycol), polyamide, polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 68 wherein said polymer comprises polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said composition comprises a gas and wherein said gas comprises a fluorinated gas.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 70 wherein said fluorinated gas is a perfluorocarbon gas.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 71 wherein said perfluorocarbon gas is selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane and perfluorocyclobutane.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 70 wherein said fluorinated gas is selected from the group consisting of sulfur hexafluoride and heptafluoropropane.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said composition comprises a gaseous precursor and said gaseous precursor has a boiling point of greater than about 37° C.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 74 wherein said gaseous precursor comprises a fluorinated gaseous precursor.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 75 wherein said fluorinated gaseous precursor comprises a perfluorocarbon gaseous precursor.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 76 wherein said perfluorocarbon gaseous precursor is selected from the group consisting of perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane and perfluoroheptane.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said diagnostic imaging comprises computed tomography imaging.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said diagnostic imaging comprises ultrasound imaging.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 60 wherein said vesicles comprise unilamellar vesicles.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 80 wherein said vesicles comprise one monolayer.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 81 wherein said lipids comprise phospholipids.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 80 wherein said vesicles comprise one bilayer.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 83 wherein said lipids comprise phosphohipids.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 60 wherein said vesicles are selected from the group consisting of oligolamellar and multilamellar vesicles.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 85 wherein said lipids comprise phospholipids.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said renal vasodilator enhances brightness in the diagnostic image.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said renal vasodilator substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the diagnostic image.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein said vesicle composition further comprises an additional bioactive agent.
Claim 92
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of renal disease in the renal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle composition which comprises lipid, protein, or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of any disease in the renal region of the patient.
Claim 93
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of renal disease in the renal region of a patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle composition which comprises lipid, protein, or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of any disease in the renal region of the patient.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 90 wherein the renal disease is renal artery hypertension.
Claim 95
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of renal disease in the renal region of a patier comprismg (i) administering to the patient a composition comprising a lipid, protein, or polymer and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator; and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of disease in the renal region of the patient.
Claim 96
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for diagnosing the presence of renal disease in the renal region of a patier comprismg (i) administering to the patient a composition comprising a lipid, protein, or polymer and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator; and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of disease in the renal region of the patient.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 92 wherein the renal disease is renal artery hypertension.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contrast agent for diagnostic imaging comprising a vesicle composition which comprises lipid, protein, or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contrast agent for diagnostic imaging comprising a vesicle composition which comprises lipid, protein, or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contrast agent for diagnostic imaging which comprises a composition comprising a lipid, protein or polymer and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contrast agent for diagnostic imaging which comprises a composition comprising a lipid, protein or polymer and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a renal vasodilator.
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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) | 2003-06-06 | 2003-12-06 | 2004-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-06 | 2007-12-06 | 2008-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-06 | 2011-12-06 | 2012-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |