Method for diagnostically imaging lesions in the brain inside a blood-brain barrier
US5059415A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/24
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved method for diagnosing and characterizing brain lesions is described which first involves chemically modifying the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in order to increase BBB permeability. Thereafter, a chemical agent (e.g. monoclonal antibody) is introduced which binds directly, specifically and exclusively to brain lesons. The chemical has a label attached thereto (e.g. gadolinium-DTPA). The chemical agent and label localize in regions of brain lesion proliferation. Thereafter, the brain is quantitatively analyzed to determine the amount of labeling agent present, preferably using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. This procedure enables the accurate analysis of brain lesions, and represents an advance in the art of diagnostic imaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.