Nanobubbles useful as an ultrasonic contrast agent for the lymphatic system
First Claim
1. A composition comprising a plurality of nanobubbles comprising a bilayered shell, wherein a majority of said plurality of nanobubbles have diameters in the range of about 100 to 800 nanometers, wherein said bilayered shell comprises an inner polymer layer and an outer cross-linked amphiphillic material layer enclosing a single gas-filled hollow core, wherein the said bilayered shell is rupturable upon exposure to ultrasound energy, and wherein the inner and outer layers are not covalently linked to one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composition is provided accompanying nanoparticles having diameters in the range of about 100 to 800 nanometers with hollow cores and outer shells with mechanical properties such that they rupture on exposure to predetermined ultrasound energy. The composition is useful for identifying sentinel lymph nodes.
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Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A composition comprising a plurality of nanobubbles comprising a bilayered shell, wherein a majority of said plurality of nanobubbles have diameters in the range of about 100 to 800 nanometers, wherein said bilayered shell comprises an inner polymer layer and an outer cross-linked amphiphillic material layer enclosing a single gas-filled hollow core, wherein the said bilayered shell is rupturable upon exposure to ultrasound energy, and wherein the inner and outer layers are not covalently linked to one another.
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26. A composition useful for ultrasound imaging, comprising a plurality of nanobubbles, a majority of which have diameter in the range of about 100 to 800 nanometers, each of which comprises a bilayered shell surrounding a hollow core that is filled with a gaseous contrast agent, wherein the inner layer of the bilayered shell comprises a biodegradable polymer, the outer layer of the bilayered shell comprises a cross-linked amphiphilic material, the inner and outer layers of the bilayered shell are not covalently linked to one another, and further wherein said plurality of nanobubbles do not include a drug or additional contrast agents.
Specification