Gas filled liposomes and their use as ultrasonic contrast agents
OwnerEvan C. Unger, Guanli Wuinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging comprising gas filled liposomes prepared using vacuum drying gas instillation methods, and gas filled liposomes substantially devoid of liquid in the interior thereof, are described. Methods of and apparatus for preparing such liposomes and methods for employing such liposomes in ultrasonic imaging applications are also disclosed. Also described are diagnostic kits for ultrasonic imaging which include the subject contrast agents.
Claims61
A contrast agent for ultrasonic imaging comprising a gas filled liposome prepared by a vacuum drying gas instillation method.
A contrast agent for ultrasonic imaging comprising a gas filled liposome substantially devoid of liquid in the interior thereof.
A method for preparing contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging comprising the following steps:
- (i) placing liposomes under negative pressure;
- (ii) incubating said liposomes under said negative pressure for a time sufficient to remove substantially all liquid from said liposomes;
- and
- (iii) instilling gas into said liposomes until ambient pressures are achieved.
A method for preparing contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging comprising the following steps:
- (i) allowing liposomes to cool to a temperature between about −10° C. and about −20° C.;
- (ii) placing said liposomes under a negative pressure of between about 700 mm Hg to about 760 mm Hg;
- (iii) incubating said liposomes under said negative pressure for about 24 to about 72 hours to remove substantially all liquid from said liposomes;
- while allowing said liposomes to warm to a temperature between about 10° C. and about 20° C.;
- and
- (iv) instilling gas into said liposomes over a period of about 4 to about 8 hours until ambient pressures are achieved, while allowing said liposomes to warm to ambient temperature.
An apparatus for preparing contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging comprising:
- (i) a vessel for containing liposomes;
- (ii) means for applying negative pressure to the vessel to draw liquid from liposomes contained in the vessel;
- (iii) a conduit connecting the negative pressurizing means to the vessel, the conduit directing the flow of the liquid;
- and
- (iv) means for introducing a gas into liposomes contained in the vessel.
An apparatus for preparing contrast agents for ultrasonic imaging comprising:
- (i) a vessel for containing liposomes;
- (ii) means for cooling liposomes contained in the vessel;
- (iii) means for applying negative pressure to the vessel to draw liquid from the liposomes contained in the vessel;
- (iv) a conduit connecting the negative pressurizing means to the vessel, the conduit directing the flow of the liquid;
- (v) means for collecting the liquid flowing in the conduit;
- and
- (vi) means for introducing a gas into liposomes contained in the vessel.
A method of providing an image of an internal bodily region of a patient comprising:
- (a) administering to the patient a contrast agent comprising gas filled liposomes prepared by a vacuum drying gas instillation method;
- and
- (b) scanning the patient using ultrasonic imaging to obtain visible images of the region.
A method of providing an image of an internal bodily region of a patient comprising:
- (a) administering to the patient a contrast agent comprising gas filled liposomes substantially devoid of liquid in the interior thereof;
- and
- (b) scanning the patient using ultrasonic imaging to obtain visible images of the region.
A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient comprising:
- (i) administering to the patient a contrast agent comprising gas filled liposomes prepared by a vacuum drying gas instillation method;
- and
- (ii) scanning the patient using ultrasonic imaging to obtain visible images of any diseased tissue in the patient.
A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient comprising:
- (i) administering to the patient a contrast agent comprising gas filled liposomes substantially devoid of liquid in the interior thereof;
- and
- (ii) scanning the patient using ultrasonic imaging to obtain visible images of any diseased tissue in the patient.
A kit for ultrasonic imaging comprising gas filled liposomes prepared by a vacuum drying gas instillation method.
A kit for ultrasonic imaging comprising gas filled liposomes, substantially devoid of liquid in the interior thereof.
A method for preparing gas filled liposomes comprising the following steps:
- (i) placing liposomes under negative pressure;
- (ii) incubating said liposomes under said negative pressure for a time sufficient to remove substantially all liquid from said liposomes;
- and
- (iii) instilling gas into said liposomes until ambient pressures are achieved.
A method for preparing gas filled liposomes comprising the following steps:
- (i) allowing liposomes to cool to a temperature between about −10° C. and about −20° C.;
- (ii) placing said liposomes under a negative pressure of between about 700 mm Hg to about 760 mm Hg;
- (iii) incubating said liposomes under said negative pressure for about 24 to about 72 hours to remove substantially all liquid from said liposomes;
- while allowing said liposomes to warm to a temperature between about 10° C. and about 20° C.;
- and
- (iv) instilling gas into said liposomes over a period of about 4 to about 8 hours until ambient pressures are achieved, while allowing said liposomes to warm to ambient temperature.
An apparatus for preparing gas filled liposomes comprising:
- (i) a vessel for containing liposomes;
- (ii) means for applying negative pressure to the vessel to draw liquid from liposomes contained in the vessel;
- (iii) a conduit connecting the negative pressurizing means to the vessel, the conduit directing the flow of said liquid;
- and
- (iv) means for introducing a gas into liposomes in the vessel.
An apparatus for preparing gas filled liposomes comprising:
- (i) a vessel for containing liposomes;
- (ii) means for cooling liposomes contained in the vessel;
- (iii) means for applying negative pressure to the vessel to draw liquid from liposomes contained in the vessel;
- (iv) a conduit connecting the negative pressurizing means to the vessel, the conduit directing the flow of said liquid;
- (v) means for collecting the liquid flowing in the conduit;
- and
- (vi) means for introducing a gas into liposomes contained in said vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.