Biodegradable contrast media for MR imaging

US6312664A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Robert C. Brasch · Mill Valley, US
• Jeffry S. Mann · San Francisco, US
• Danute E. Nitecki · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 1998
• Grant date: Nov 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Jun 12, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/281
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A macromolecular contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of the vascular system is constructed of a polymeric backbone structure with a plurality of spacer arms bonded to the backbone structure, each spacer arm terminating in at least one paramagnetic complex. The polymeric backbone thus serves as an amplifier by supporting a multitude of paramagnetic complexes, and the spacer arms contribute to the molecular weight. The spacer arms further contribute useful properties to the agent, such as hydrophilicity and the ability to cleave at a relatively rapid rate in blood.