US4572203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact agents for ultrasonic imaging
Assignee: SLF LP
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Filing: 1983-01-27
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Granted: 1986-02-25
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Expires: 2003-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures is disclosed. The method comprises injecting specifically defined microparticles or sonicated microbubbles into an animal or human to thereby alter the acoustic properties of an area to be imaged, and then ultrasonically scanning the area so as to obtain an image.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven B. Feinstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/899; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) injecting biodegradable, metal-containing microparticles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area; and (b) ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an image of said predetermined area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) injecting biodegradable, metal-containing microparticles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area; and (b) ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an image of said predetermined area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said microparticles have an average diameter of less than 1.5 microns and are formed from an amino acid polymer matrix with magnetic iron particles embedded therein, said magnetic particles have an average size of not more than 1,000 Angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined area comprises the heart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said microparticles are injected into the coronary arteries.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said microparticles are injected into the peripheral veneous system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein, in lieu of said biodegradable microparticles, biocompatable microparticles are used.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting a biocompatible liquid to high frequency energy in the range of about 5,000 to 30,000 Hz so as to produce microbubbles having substantially uniform diameter; (b) injecting said microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area; and (c) ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an enhanced image of said predetermined area.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting a biocompatible liquid to high frequency energy in the range of about 5,000 to 30,000 Hz so as to produce microbubbles having substantially uniform diameter; (b) injecting said microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area; and (c) ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an enhanced image of said predetermined area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said microbubbles have a mean particle size of about 6 to 20 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said liquid is subjected to high frequency energy of about 20,000 Hz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said biocompatible liquid is a viscous solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said viscous solution is selected from the group consisting of dextrose, sorbitol, relatively nontoxic radio-opaque dye, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising saline as a diluent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said viscous solution is a mixture of relatively non-toxic radio-opaque dye and sodium chloride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of subjecting said biocompatible liquid to high frequency energy results in cavitation bubbles and said cavitation bubbles collapse resulting in by-product bubbles having substantially uniform diameter.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) forming biocompatible microparticles comprising amino acid polymer matrix containing at least one ultrasound image enhancing material selected from the group consisting of air, glass, graphite, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, metal flakes, magnetite, magnetic iron oxides and carbonyl iron; (b) injecting said microparticles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area; and (c) ultrasonically scanning said predetermined area to obtain an ultrasound scanning image thereof.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) forming biocompatible microparticles comprising amino acid polymer matrix containing at least one ultrasound image enhancing material selected from the group consisting of air, glass, graphite, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, metal flakes, magnetite, magnetic iron oxides and carbonyl iron; (b) injecting said microparticles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area; and (c) ultrasonically scanning said predetermined area to obtain an ultrasound scanning image thereof.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of ultrasound imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting a biocompatible liquid to high frequency ultrasound energy in the range of about 5,000 to 30,000 Hz thereby producing stable microbubbles having substantially uniform diameters in the range of 6 to 20 microns; (b) injecting said microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area thereof; and (c) ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an enhanced image of said predetermined area.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of ultrasound imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting a biocompatible liquid to high frequency ultrasound energy in the range of about 5,000 to 30,000 Hz thereby producing stable microbubbles having substantially uniform diameters in the range of 6 to 20 microns; (b) injecting said microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area thereof; and (c) ultrasonically scanning an area including said predetermined area so as to obtain an enhanced image of said predetermined area.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
9 words
A method of ultrasound imaging for use in medical
Claim 22
Independent Claim
9 words
A method of ultrasound imaging for use in medical
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
95 words
Procedures comprising the steps of: (a) providing a biocompatible liquid selected from the group consisting of dextrose, sorbitol, relatively non-toxic radio-opaque dye and mixtures thereof; (b) subjecting said biocompatible liquid to ultrasound energy in the range of 5,000 to 30,000 Hz thereby producing stable microbubbles having substantially uniform diameters in the range of 6 to 20 microns; (c) injecting said microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area of said mammal; and (d) ultrasonically scanning said mammal including said predetermined area thereby obtaining enhanced images of said predetermined area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
95 words
Procedures comprising the steps of: (a) providing a biocompatible liquid selected from the group consisting of dextrose, sorbitol, relatively non-toxic radio-opaque dye and mixtures thereof; (b) subjecting said biocompatible liquid to ultrasound energy in the range of 5,000 to 30,000 Hz thereby producing stable microbubbles having substantially uniform diameters in the range of 6 to 20 microns; (c) injecting said microbubbles into a mammal to thereby alter the acoustic properties of a predetermined area of said mammal; and (d) ultrasonically scanning said mammal including said predetermined area thereby obtaining enhanced images of said predetermined area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said biocompatible liquid is selected from the group consisting of 70% dextrose, 50% dextrose, 70% sorbitol, a non-toxic radio-opaque dye, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said biocompatible liquid further comprises saline.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-24 | 1989-08-26 | 1990-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-24 | 1993-08-26 | 1994-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-24 | 1997-08-26 | 1998-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |