Use of hollow microcapsules in diagnosis and therapy
AssigneeAndaris Limited
InventorsSanjiv Kaul, Richard Alan Johnson
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Abstract
A diagnostic method analyses the effect of intervention, e.g. by surgery, especially in the myocardium. (i) Hollow microcapsules are administered into a blood vessel of a patient having a perfusion defect, (ii) if desired, an ultrasonic image is formed of the tissue, (iii) the occlusion is at least partially removed such that the blood flow in at least one area of the tissue is increased, and (iv) an ultrasonic image of the tissue is obtained after treatment. This is based on the observation of the particular properties of the microcapsules in the myocardium. It is also the basis of providing appropriate drugs to that site.
Claims23
A diagnostic method which comprises the steps of
- (i) administering hollow microcapsules into a blood vessel of a patient having a perfusion defect;
- (ii) treating the patient, to remove an occlusion at least partially, such that blood flow in at least one area of tissue affected by the defect is increased;
- and
- (iii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of the tissue post-treatment.
A method for diagnosing, by ultrasonic imaging, the effect of treatment of an occlusion in a patient having a perfusion defect, said method comprising:
- (i) administering to said patient hollow microcapsules capable of being retained in capillary beds, before said treatment;
- and
- (ii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of tissue affected by said perfusion defect post-treatment.
A method for obtaining ultrasonic images of tissue of a patient having a perfusion defect, said method comprising:
- (i) administering hollow microcapsules to said patient;
- and
- (ii) obtaining an ultrasonic image of said tissue, wherein said images are obtained before and after treatment of an occlusion in said patient.
A method for treating tissue having a perfusion defect comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of hollow microcapsules to said tissue before treatment of an occlusion in said tissue, wherein said microcapsules are capable of being retained in capillary beds and have a drug bound thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.