Process of preparing x-ray contrast compositions containing nanoparticles
AssigneeNanoSystems L.L.C.
InventorsJon R. Swanson, H. William Bosch, Kathleen J. Illig, Donna M. Marcera, Ronald L. Mueller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process of preparing nanoparticulate contrast agents comprising the steps of: preparing a premix of the contrast agent and a surface modifier; and subjecting the premix to mechanical means to reduce the particle size of the contrast agent, the mechanical means producing shear, impact, cavitation and attrition.
Claims22
A process for preparing particles consisting essentially of 99.9-1% by weight of a non-radioactive crystalline organic x-ray contrast agent having a solubility in water of less than 10 mg/ml, said x-ray contrast agent having a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount of 0.1-90% by weight and sufficient to maintain an average particle size of less than about 400 nm, said process comprises the steps of:
- preparing a premix of said x-ray contrast agent and said surface modifier by mixing them;
- and
- subjecting said premix to mechanical means to reduce the particle size thereof to less than 400 nm by the action of said mechanical means which produces shear, impact, cavitation and attrition.
A process for preparing stable, dispersible particles consisting essentially of 99.9-1% by weight of a radiopaque crystalline organic x-ray contrast agent having a solubility in water of less than 10 mg/ml, said x-ray contrast agent having a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount of 0.1-90% by weight and sufficient to maintain an average particle size of less than about 400 nm, said process comprises the steps of:
- preparing a premix of said x-ray contrast agent and said surface modifier by mixing therein;
- and
- subjecting said x-ray contrast agent of the premix to a comminuting action of a microfluidizer asserting shear, impact, cavitation and attrition forces for a time necessary to reduce the mean particle size thereof to less than 400 nm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.