US6264918B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hollow microcapsules for methods of ultrasound imaging
Assignee: Upperton Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-05-22
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Granted: 2001-07-24
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Expires: 2017-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of obtaining an image of a part of a patient, comprising: (a) providing microcapsules which have been formed by (i) providing a solution of a material in an aqueous solvent containing water and a liquid of greater volatility than water and (ii) spraying the said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules suitable for use as an echogenic contrast agent, (b) injecting the microcapsules into a patient, and (c) subjecting the patient to ultrasonic energy to obtain an image based on the ultrasound reflectivity transmissibility or resonance of the microcapsules, characterized in that at least 5 minutes elapse between steps (b) and (c). The patient can be exercised between administration and imaging without having to be reinjected.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Alan Johnson
- 👤 Paulus Antonius van der Wouw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of obtaining an image of a part of a patient, comprising (a) providing a solution of a material in an aqueous solvent containing water and a liquid of greater volatility than water, (b) spraying said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules suitable for use as an echogenic contrast agent, (c) injecting the microcapsules into a patient, and (d) subjecting the patient to ultrasonic energy to obtain an image based on the ultrasound reflectivity transmissibility or resonance of the microcapsules, characterized in that an interval of at least 5 minutes elapses between steps (c) and (d).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of obtaining an image of a part of a patient, comprising (a) providing a solution of a material in an aqueous solvent containing water and a liquid of greater volatility than water, (b) spraying said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules suitable for use as an echogenic contrast agent, (c) injecting the microcapsules into a patient, and (d) subjecting the patient to ultrasonic energy to obtain an image based on the ultrasound reflectivity transmissibility or resonance of the microcapsules, characterized in that an interval of at least 5 minutes elapses between steps (c) and (d).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one initial ultrasound image is obtained after step (c) but prior to obtaining the ultrasound image of step (d).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the interval between steps (c) and (d) is at least 40 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the interval is at least 60 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the microcapsules are predominantly of 0.1 to 8.0 μm diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to any claim 1 wherein a dose of 0.25 to 3.5 mg of microcapsules per kg of patient is administered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image obtained in step (d) is of the heart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the patient is exercised between steps (c) and (d).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the microcapsules are formed from a protein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the protein is albumin, collagen or gelatin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the protein is albumin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the microcapsules, when suspended in degassed water at 20° C. to give a homogeneous microcapsule concentration of 13.0 μg/ml, have a reflectivity to 3.5 MHz ultrasound of at least −1.0 dB.
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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) | 2004-07-23 | 2005-01-22 | 2005-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-23 | 2009-01-22 | 2009-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-23 | 2013-01-22 | 2013-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |