Ultrasonic contrast agents, process for their preparation and their use as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent

An ultrasonic contrast agent comprising solid microparticles which comprise amyloses containing a gas and/or organic fluid having a boiling point below 60° C., wherein said microparticles are of a size capable of passing through pulmonary capillaries and the organic fluids are selected from the group consisting the 1,1-dichloroethylene, 2-methyl-2-butene, isopropyl chloride, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-butyne, 2-methyl-1-butyne, 2-methyl-1-butene, isopentane, diethylether, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butyne, dimethylamino acetone, propylene oxide, N-ethylmethylamine, bromomethane, N-ethyldimethylamine, methylene chloride, pentane, cyclopentane, 2,3-pentadiene, cyclopentene or mixtures thereof and said gases are selected from air, inert gases, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ammonia, ethylene, methane, ethane, propane and butane where said ultrasonic contrast agent is suitable for administration to a subject by injection.

An ultrasonic contrast agent comprising microparticles comprised of amyloses and a gas and/or a fluid with a boiling point below 60° C. wherein said microparticles comprised of amyloses are produced within a “oil-in-water” emulsion.

Solid microparticles comprising amyloses containing a gas and/or a fluid with a boiling point below 60° C., wherein the microparticles are of a size capable of passing through pulmonary capillaries and are suitable for administration to a subject by injection.

Solid microparticles which comprise cyclodextrine or cyclodextrine derivatives containing a gas and/or a fluid with a boiling point below 60° C,. wherein the microparticles are of a size within the range of 1-10 μm and are suitable for administration to a subject by injection.