Gaseous ultrasound contrast media and method for selecting gases for use as ultrasound contrast media
US6156292A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K49/223
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or "microbubbles," comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.