Contact agents for ultrasonic imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. 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.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of ultrasonic imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of:
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(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.
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16. A method of ultrasound imaging for use in medical procedures, comprising the steps of:
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(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.
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- 17. A method of ultrasound imaging for use in medical
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18. Procedures comprising the steps of:
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(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.
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Specification