Methods and devices for preparation of ultrasound contrast agents
AssigneeLantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.
InventorsSimon P. Robinson, Carol Walker, David C. Onthank, Joel Lazewatsky, Nhung Tuyet Nguyen
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods and devices for identifying and/or distinguishing UCA formulations and specifically activating such formulations to produce UCA suitable for in vivo use.
Claims25
1-135. (canceled)
A method of using lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres for ultrasound imaging comprising:
- identifying a first ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) lipid formulation requiring activation for a pre-determined period of time and/or at a pre-determined shaking rate, using a device that distinguishes between the first and a second UCA lipid formulation;
- activating the first UCA lipid formulation for the pre-determined period of time and/or at the pre-determined shaking rate to form lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres;
- administering the lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres to a subject;
- and
- obtaining an ultrasound image of the subject,
- wherein the first or the second UCA lipid formulation is a non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation.
A device that identifies and activates a first ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) lipid formulation for a pre-determined period of time and/or at a pre-determined shaking rate, and that distinguishes between the first and a second UCA lipid formulation, wherein the first or second UCA lipid formulation is a non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.