US5147631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Porous inorganic ultrasound contrast agents
Assignee: Nippon Steel Corp
•
Filing: 1991-04-30
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2011-04-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to ultrasound contrast agents comprising porous particles of an inorganic material containing an entrapped gas or liquid and having an average particle diameter of about 0.05 to 500 microns, said inorganic material being selected from one or more of the group consisting of: monomeric or polymeric borates; monomeric or polymeric aluminas; monomeric or polymeric carbonates; monomeric or polymeric silicas; and monomeric or polymeric phosphates; and pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic cationic salts thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph L. Glajch
- 👤 Gary L. Loomis
- 👤 Walter Mahler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; A61K49/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An ultrasound contrast agent comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and porous particles of an inorganic material containing an entrapped gas and having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 500 microns, said inorganic material being selected from one or more of the group consisting of: monomeric or polymeric borates; monomeric or polymeric aluminas; monomeric or polymeric carbonates and bicarbonates; monomeric or polymeric silicas and silicates; monomeric or polymeric aluminosilicates; and monomeric or polymeric phosphates; and pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic cationic salts thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An ultrasound contrast agent comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and porous particles of an inorganic material containing an entrapped gas and having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 500 microns, said inorganic material being selected from one or more of the group consisting of: monomeric or polymeric borates; monomeric or polymeric aluminas; monomeric or polymeric carbonates and bicarbonates; monomeric or polymeric silicas and silicates; monomeric or polymeric aluminosilicates; and monomeric or polymeric phosphates; and pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic cationic salts thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the inorganic material is in a crystalline form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the inorganic material is in an amorphous form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the inorganic material is a mixture of crystalline and amorphous forms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the entrapped gas is selected from the group consisting of air, O 2 , N 2 , H 2 , CO 2 , He, Ne, Ar, CF 4 , and C 2 F 6 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the average particle diameter is 0.05 to 10 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles have a single pore which is entirely or partially enclosed by a shell of the inorganic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 7, wherein the shell thickness is 1-45% of the average particle diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles have a plurality of pores which are entirely or partially enclosed by the inorganic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 9, wherein the pores are interconnected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of less than about 90% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid non-porous state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of less than about 60% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid non-porous state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 12, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of 0.2% to 50% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid non-porous state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are substantially spherical in shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 , aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, alkali salts of aluminosilicates, and H 3 BO 3 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 15, wherein the inorganic material is crystalline or amorphous, or a mixture of crystalline and amorphous forms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the average particle diameter is 0.05 to 10 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the porous particles have a single pore which is entirely or partially enclosed by a shell of the inorganic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 18, wherein the shell thickness is 1-45% of the average diameter of the particle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the porous particles have a plurality of pores which are entirely or partially enclosed by the inorganic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 20, wherein the pores are interconnected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the porous particles or inorganic material have a density of less than about 70% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid nonporous state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the porous particles are substantially spherical in shape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material selected from the group consisting of ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, albumin, gelatin, starch, collagen, dextran, modified dextrans, polylactide/polyglycolide, polyalkylcyanoacrylates, polyacrylamide, cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, polysorbates, polyethlyene ethers, polyethylene esters, and polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block polymers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method of ultrasound imaging a selected tissue or organ system in a mammal, the improvement comprising introducing to the mammal an amount of an ultrasound contrast agent of claim 16, effective to alter the ultrasound echogenicity of the selected tissue or organ system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the inorganic material comprises monomeric or polymeric forms, or a mixture of monomeric and polymeric forms, of phosphate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 27, wherein the inorganic material is crystalline or amorphous, or a mixture of crystalline and amorphous forms.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the inorganic material comprises monomeric or polymeric forms, or a mixture of monomeric and polymeric forms, of one or more alkali cation phosphate salts.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 29, wherein the alkali cations are sodium, potassium, or calcium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 29, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of less than about 70% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid nonporous state.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method of ultrasound imaging a selected tissue or organ system in a mammal, the improvement comprising introducing to the mammal an amount of an ultrasound contrast agent of claim 29, effective to alter the ultrasound echogenicity of the selected tissue or organ system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the average particle diameter is 0.05 to 10 microns.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the porous particles have a single pore which is entirely or partially enclosed by a shell of the inorganic material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 34, wherein the shell thickness is 1-45% of the average diameter of the particle.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the porous particles have a plurality of pores which are entirely or partially enclosed by the inorganic material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 36, wherein the pores are interconnected.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of less than about 70% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid nonporous state.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the porous particles are substantially spherical in shape.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
55 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material selected from the group consisting of ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, albumin, gelatin, starch, collagen, dextran, modified dextrans, polylactide/polyglycolide, polyalkylcyanoacrylates, polyacrylamide, cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, polysorbates, polyethlyene ethers, polyethylene esters, and polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block polymers.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method of ultrasound imaging a selected tissue or organ system in a mammal, the improvement comprising introducing to the mammal an amount of an ultrasound contrast agent of claim 28, effective to alter the ultrasound echogenicity of the selected tissue or organ system.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the inorganic material comprises monomeric or polymeric forms, or a mixture of monomeric and polymeric forms, of carbonate or bicarbonate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 43, wherein the inorganic material is crystalline or amorphous, or a mixture of crystalline and amorphous forms.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the inorganic material comprises monomeric or polymeric forms, or a mixture of monomeric and polymeric forms, of one or more alkali cation carbonate or bicarbonate salts.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 45, wherein the alkali cations are sodium, potassium, or calcium.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 45, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of less than about 70% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid nonporous state.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the average particle diameter is 0.05 to 10 microns.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the porous particles have a single pore which is entirely or partially enclosed by a shell of the inorganic material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 49, wherein the shell thickness is 1-45% of the diameter of the particle.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the porous particles have a plurality of pores which are entirely or partially enclosed by the inorganic material.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 51, wherein the pores are interconnected.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material have a density of less than about 70% of the density of the inorganic material in a solid nonporous state.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the porous particles are substantially spherical in shape.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
55 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material selected from the group consisting of ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, albumin, gelatin, starch, collagen, dextran, modified dextrans, polylactide/polyglycolide, polyalkylcyanoacrylates, polyacrylamide, cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, polysorbates, polyethlyene ethers, polyethylene esters, and polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block polymers.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method of ultrasound imaging a selected tissue or organ system in a mammal, the improvement comprising introducing to the mammal an amount of an ultrasound contrast agent of claim 44, effective to alter the ultrasound echogenicity of the selected tissue or organ system.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
55 words
An ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the porous particles of inorganic material are coated with an organic material selected from the group consisting of ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, albumin, gelatin, starch, collagen, dextran, modified dextrans, polylactide/polyglycolide, polyalkylcyanoacrylates, polyacrylamide, cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, polysorbates, polyethlyene ethers, polyethylene esters, and polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block polymers.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method of ultrasound imaging a selected tissue or organ system in a mammal, the improvement comprising introducing to the mammal an amount of an ultrasound contrast agent of claim 1, effective to alter the ultrasound echogenicity of the selected tissue or organ system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |