Preparation of further diagnostic agents
US6416741B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K49/223
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microspheres have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.