Microencapsulated fluorinated gases for use as imaging agents
First Claim
1. A method for enhancing ultrasonic imaging comprising enhancing the echogenicity of a synthetic polymeric microparticle comprising air by incorporating therein a fluorinated gas in place of the air in an amount effective to image the microparticle after administration to a patient.
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Abstract
It has been discovered that the incorporation of fluorinated gases, especially a perfluorocarbon such as octafluoropropane, into synthetic polymeric microparticles, significantly enhances echogenicity as compared with microparticles having air incorporated therein. The microencapsulated perfluorocarbon is manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, for intravenous or oral administration. In one embodiment, bioadhesive microparticles are formed for enhanced imaging of mucosal surfaces.
132 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A method for enhancing ultrasonic imaging comprising enhancing the echogenicity of a synthetic polymeric microparticle comprising air by incorporating therein a fluorinated gas in place of the air in an amount effective to image the microparticle after administration to a patient.
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16. A composition for administration to a patient for imaging with ultrasound comprising
a synthetic biocompatible polymeric microparticle having incorporated therein an effective amount of a fluorinated gas for enhanced imaging by ultrasound after administration to a patient as compared with the microparticle incorporating therein an equivalent volume of air, wherein the microparticle is not formed of a polyethylene glycol and poly(lactic acid-co-glycolide) copolymer and the gas is not a perfluorocarbon, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration of the microparticles to a patient.
Specification