US5196183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contrast agents for ultrasound imaging
Assignee: GE Healthcare AS
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Filing: 1991-12-04
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Granted: 1993-03-23
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Expires: 2011-12-04
Abstract
Abstract Particles having an average diameter of less than about 12 microns comprising fatty acid cores encapsulated with human serum albumin and methods for their preparation are disclosed. These materials are useful as contrast agents in ultrasonic imaging, having scattering intensities that are equivalent to or greater than those obtain from dispersed microbubbles but being much more stable, both in storage and when used in vivo, than are contrast agents based on dispersed microbubbles.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph S. Yudelson
- 👤 Susan E. Power
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/225; A61K49/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A diagnostic imaging agent comprising particles having an average diameter no larger than 12 microns, said particles comprising a core of one or more fatty acids encapsulated with human serum albumin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A diagnostic imaging agent comprising particles having an average diameter no larger than 12 microns, said particles comprising a core of one or more fatty acids encapsulated with human serum albumin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imaging agent of claim 1, wherein the average diameter of the particles is in the range of 0.1 to 12 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The imaging agent of claim 2, wherein the average diameter is in the range of 0.1 to 10 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The imaging agent of claim 3, wherein the average diameter is in the range of 0.1 to 8 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The imaging agent of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid has from 6 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The imaging agent of claim 5, wherein the fatty acid is saturated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The imaging agent of claim 5, wherein the fatty acid is straight chained.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The imaging agent of claim 2, wherein the fatty acid is unsaturated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The imaging agent of claim 5, wherein the fatty acid has a branched chain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The imaging agent of claim 1, which further includes an adjuvant that is compatible with the fatty acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The imaging agent of claim 10, wherein the adjuvant is selected from physiologically acceptable oils and surfactants.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The imaging agent of claim 11, wherein the adjuvant is cholesterol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The imaging agent of claim 10, wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of from 0 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the fatty acid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The imaging agent of claim 1, wherein the ratio of human serum albumin to fatty acid is from 10:1 to 1:1 by weight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The imaging agent of claim 14, wherein said ratio is 4:1.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent comprising particles having an average diameter no larger than 12 microns, said particles comprising a core of one or more fatty acids encapsulated with human serum albumin, this method comprising forming a dispersion of fine particles of fatty acid coated with human serum albumin and heating the resultant dispersion to coagulate the human serum albumin.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent comprising particles having an average diameter no larger than 12 microns, said particles comprising a core of one or more fatty acids encapsulated with human serum albumin, this method comprising forming a dispersion of fine particles of fatty acid coated with human serum albumin and heating the resultant dispersion to coagulate the human serum albumin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the dispersion is heated to a temperature above 90° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the dispersion is heated for at least 45 minutes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the dispersion is heated for at least one hour.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the dispersion is stirred at a speed in the range of 60 to 600 RPM.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 16 which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a fatty acid solution by dissolving a fatty acid in a solvent, (b) mixing the fatty acid solution with a human serum albumin solution to form a dispersion of fine particles of the fatty acid coated with human serum albumin; and (c) heating the resultant dispersion to a temperature above 90° C. while rapidly stirring to coagulate the human serum albumin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 16 which comprises the steps of (a) acidifying a solution of a salt of the fatty acid to form an emulsion of the fatty acid, (b) adding the human serum albumin, and (c) heating to coagulate the human serum albumin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 wherein a gas is bubbled through the fatty acid solution prior to step (b).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the gas comprises oxygen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the bubbling is conducted for at least 8 hours.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the bubbling is conducted for at least 24 hours.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the bubbling is conducted for 6 days.
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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) | 1996-03-22 | 1996-09-21 | 1997-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-22 | 2000-09-21 | 2001-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-22 | 2004-09-21 | 2005-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |