US 5,512,268 A · Polymeric shells for medical imaging prepared from synthetic polymers, and methods for the use thereof

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, compositions comprising imaging agent(s) contained within polymeric shells are provided. Invention compositions are useful, for example, as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and X-ray computer tomography. The polymeric shell diameter is typically approximately 2 microns in diameter. Consequently, these materials have organ specificity due to rapid scavenging by the reticuloendothial system (RES) or the mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) system upon intravenous injection. Furthermore, polymeric shells of the invention can be used to measure and monitor local oxygen and temperature. Exemplary contrast agents contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include fluorinated compounds. Fluorinated compounds in general are hydrophobic and as such have limited water solubility. The invention method permits preparation of such compounds in a biocompatible form suitable for ready delivery.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A composition for obtaining in vivo medical diagnostic images, said composition comprising imaging agent(s) substantially completely contained within a polymeric shell;

wherein said polymeric shell comprises a biocompatible polymer which is substantially crosslinked by way of disulfide bonds, and wherein said crosslinked polymer is a synthetic polymer,
wherein said polymer, prior to crosslinking, has covalently attached thereto sulfhydryl groups or disulfide groups,
wherein said disulfide bonds are crosslinked directly, that is, without a crosslinking agent being used.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

08/486,268Filed 6 Jun 1995 · division

Priority

26 Mar 1993

Granted

30 Apr 1996

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

A61K 49/223
Characterised by a special physical form, e.g. emulsions, liposomes: microbubbles, hollow microspheres, free gas bubbles, gas microspheres
A61K 47/6921
The conjugate being characterised by physical or galenical forms, e.g. emulsion, particle, inclusion complex, stent or kit: the form being a…
A61K 47/6925
The form being a particulate, a powder, an adsorbate, a bead or a sphere: the form being a microcapsule, nanocapsule, microbubble or nanobubble
A61K 49/126
Macromolecular compounds: linear polymers, e.g. dextran, inulin, PEG

Polymeric shells for medical imaging prepared from synthetic polymers, and methods for the use thereof

Life of this patent

Polymeric shells for medical imaging prepared from synthetic polymers, and methods for the use thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37