Stabilized gas emulsion containing phospholipid for ultrasound contrast enhancement

US7141235B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Imcor Pharmaceutical Co. · US

Inventors

• Leo Anthony Trevino · San Diego, US
• Ernest G. Schutt · San Diego, US
• David Klein · Carlsbad, US
• Thomas E. Tarara · San Diego, US
• Jeffry Weers · San Diego, US
• Alexey S. Kabalnov · Corvallis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 28, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 28, 2006
• Expiry date: Aug 28, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K49/227
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A gas emulsion forming composition comprising a dry, hollow, particulate, approximately microspherical material permeated with a gas or gas mixture, which upon dissolution in aqueous liquid forms a gas emulsion comprising a plurality of bubbles surrounded by a layer of at least a first and a second surfactant, wherein the first surfactant consists essentially of a phospholipid or mixture of phospholipids having at least one acyl chain which comprises at least 10 carbon atoms, and comprising at least about 5% w/w of total surfactant, and wherein the second surfactant may or may not be a phospholipid and is more water soluble than the first surfactant; kits for preparing such microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as contrast agents.