Claims
- 1. A method of generating enhanced images of the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a diagnostic agent and generating an X-ray, MR-diagnostics, ultrasound or scintigraphic image of at least a part thereof, wherein the diagnostic agent comprises a metal chelate, whereof the chelating entity is a residue of formula (III)
- (X--CHR.sub.1.sup.*).sub.2 --N--(CHR.sub.1).sub.n (NY--(CHR.sub.1).sub.m).sub.x --N--(CHR.sub.1.sup.* X)hd 2(III)
- (wherein
- x is 0 or 1;
- Y is a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.p --N(CHR.sub.1.sup.* X).sub.2 or a group --CHR.sub.1.sup.* X;
- n, m and p are each 2, 3 or 4;
- each group X, which may be the same or different, is a group R.sub.1.sup.* or a carboxyl group or a derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of amide, ester and carboxylate salt groups;
- each group R.sub.1 or R.sub.1.sup.*, which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyalkyl group or an optionally hydroxylated alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl group, with the provisos that at least two nitrogens carry a --CHR.sub.1.sup.* X moiety wherein X is a carboxyl group or a derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of amide, ester and carboxylate salt groups, that each --CHR.sub.1.sup.* X moiety is other than methyl and that either at least one R.sub.1 group is other than hydrogen or three of the X groups are carboxyl groups or derivatives thereof selected from the group consisting of amide, ester and carboxylate salt groups and the remaining X groups are hydroxylated alkoxy or alkyl groups) or a salt thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier or excipient.
- 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in said residue of formula III at least one R.sub.1 group is other than hydrogen, or a metal chelate or salt thereof.
- 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in said residue of formula III at least two R.sub.1 groups each represent other than hydrogen, or a metal chelate or salt thereof.
- 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said chelating entity of said metal chelate is a residue of formula
- (X--CHR.sub.1 .sup.*).sub.2 --N--(CHR.sub.1).sub.2 --NY--(CHR.sub.1).sub.2 --N--(CHR.sub.1.sup.* X).sub.2
- wherein X, R.sub.1.sup.*, R.sub.1 and Y are as defined in claim 1, or a salt or metal chelate thereof.
- 5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in said residue of formula III the R.sub.1 and R.sub.1.sup.* moieties, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, C.sub.1-8 alkoxy, polyalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl or hydroxypolyalkoxy groups, or a salt or metal chelate thereof.
- 6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said residue of formula III is selected from the group consisting of:
- 3,6-bis-(carboxymethyl)-4-hydroxyethyl-3,6-diazaoctane diacid;
- 3,6,9-tris-carboxymethyl-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,6,9-triazaundecane diacid;
- 3,9-bis(methylcarbamoylmethyl)-6-carboxymethyl-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,6,9-triazaundecane diacid;
- 3,6,9-tris-carboxymethyl-4-(5,6-dihydroxy-3-oxa-hexyl)-3,6,9-triazaundecane diacid;
- N-carboxymethyl-N,N-bis((N'-carboxymethyl-N'-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2-aminoethyl)-amine;
- N,N,N-tris-((N'-carboxymethyl-N'-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2-aminoethyl)-amine;
- or a salt or metal chelate thereof.
- 7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said chelate is a paramagnetic metal chelate.
Priority Claims (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
87 16778 |
Jul 1987 |
GBX |
|
87 16914 |
Jul 1987 |
GBX |
|
90 07965 |
Apr 1990 |
GBX |
|
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/457,717, filed as PCT/GB88/00572, Jul. 15, 1988 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,208 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/934,742, filed as PCT/EP91/00674 Apr. 9, 1991 now abandoned.
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Related Publications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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934742 |
Nov 1992 |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
457717 |
Mar 1990 |
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