Ultrasound contrast agents and methods of making and using them
US7083778B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61K49/223
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.