Method for the preparation of fluorocarbon-containing polymeric shells for medical imaging
First Claim
1. A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) in suitable media to ultrasonic irradiation conditions for a time sufficient to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds;
- said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used;
wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell,wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, andwherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery.
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, compositions comprising imaging agent(s) contained within polymeric shells are provided. Invention compositions are useful, for example, as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and X-ray computer tomography. The polymeric shell diameter is typically approximately 2 microns in diameter. Consequently, these materials have organ specificity due to rapid scavenging by the reticuloendothial system (RES) or the mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) system upon intravenous injection. Furthermore, polymeric shells of the invention can be used to measure and monitor local oxygen and temperature. Exemplary contrast agents contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include fluorinated compounds. Fluorinated compounds in general are hydrophobic and as such have limited water solubility. The invention method permits preparation of such compounds in a biocompatible form suitable for ready delivery.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) in suitable media to ultrasonic irradiation conditions for a time sufficient to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds;
- said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used;
wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell, wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, and wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
- said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used;
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36. A method for the preparation of imaging agent(s) for in vivo delivery, said method comprising subjecting biocompatible polymer capable of being crosslinked by disulfide bonds and said imaging agent(s) to conditions suitable to disperse said imaging agent(s) into said biocompatible polymer, and to conditions suitable to promote crosslinking of said biocompatible polymer by disulfide bonds;
- said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used;
wherein said agent is substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell, wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said shell is no greater than about 10 microns, and wherein said polymeric shell containing agent therein is suspended in a biocompatible aqueous liquid for in vivo delivery.
- said crosslinking occuring directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used;
Specification