Contrasting agents for ultrasonic imaging and methods for preparing the same
First Claim
1. A method for synthesizing a lipid vesicle for use in ultrasound imaging, the lipid vesicle having encapsulated therein a gas, wherein the method comprises subjecting a solvent-free composition which comprises a gaseous precursor and a lipid in an aqueous medium to a first pressure and thereafter subjecting said composition to a second pressure, wherein said second pressure is a decreased pressure.
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Abstract
Liposomes suitable as ultrasound contrast agents which contain media of various types including gases, gaseous precursors activated by pH, temperature or pressure, as well as other solid or liquid contrast enhancing agents, are described. Methods of using the same as ultrasound contrast agents are also disclosed. The present invention also comprises novel methods for synthesizing liposomes having encapsulated therein gases.
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Citations
41 Claims
- 1. A method for synthesizing a lipid vesicle for use in ultrasound imaging, the lipid vesicle having encapsulated therein a gas, wherein the method comprises subjecting a solvent-free composition which comprises a gaseous precursor and a lipid in an aqueous medium to a first pressure and thereafter subjecting said composition to a second pressure, wherein said second pressure is a decreased pressure.
- 27. A method for synthesizing a lipid vesicle having encapsulated therein a gas wherein the method comprises contacting vesicles in an aqueous medium with gas under first and second pressures, wherein said second pressure is a decreased pressure.
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41. A method for synthesizing a lipid vesicle for use in ultrasound imaging, the lipid vesicle having encapsulated therein a gas, the method consisting essentially of subjecting a composition which comprises a gaseous precursor and a lipid in an aqueous medium to a first pressure and thereafter subjecting said composition to a second pressure, wherein said second pressure is a decreased pressure.
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