Contrast agents for image enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneesThe University of Toledo, Schering Corporation
InventorsJulian A. Davies, Wolfgang Ebert, Bernd Raduechel
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Abstract
A compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, and alkyl substituted with one or more --O-- atoms, or where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are ring residues. The compound is capable of functioning as a ligand and complexing with paramagnetic Fe(III) ion for use as a second-sphere contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging of tissue, and a method of administering the second sphere contrast agent.
Claims16
A compound of formula (I) comprising:
- ##STR7## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, and alkyl substituted with one or more --O-- atoms, or where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are ring residues.
A compound capable of complexing with a paramagnetic Fe(III) ion, the compound independently selected from:
- ##STR8##
A ligand for complexing with paramagnetic FE(III) ion for use as a second-sphere contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging of tissue, the ligand of formula (I) comprising:
- wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, and alkyl substituted with one or more --O-- atoms, or where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are ring residues.
A second-sphere contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging of tissue comprising a paramagnetic Fe(III) ion complexed with a ligand independently selected from:
- ##STR9##
A method for magnetic resonance imaging of tissue in a patient comprising administering an amount of a second-sphere contrast enhancing agent, comprising a paramagnetic Fe(III) ion complexed with ligands of formula (I), where the complex is of the type [FeL.sub.3 ].sup.3- :
- wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, and alkyl substituted with one or more --O-- atoms, or where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are ring residues effective to enhance the magnetic resonance image of the tissue, and obtaining magnetic resonance images of the tissue.
A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging of tissue in a patient, comprising:
- a) providing a second-sphere contrast enhancing agent, comprising a paramagnetic Fe(III) ion complexed with a ligand of formula (I):
- ##STR10## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, and alkyl substituted with one or more --O-- atoms, or where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are ring residues;
- b) administering the second-sphere contrast enhancing agent to the patient to enhance the nuclear magnetic resonance image of the tissue;
- and
- c) subjecting the patient to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.