Claims
- 1. A method of echographic imaging using a microbubble contrast agent in a region of interest within a fluid-filled cavity, vessel, or fluid perfused tissue comprising the steps of:a. introducing a microbubble contrast agent consisting of a microbubble population having a constant wall thickness to diameter ratio that is characterized by a threshold intensity of ultrasonic power of microbubble rupture that is within the power range useful for diagnostic imaging into said region of interest, b. applying an ultrasonic signal to said region of interest at an applied power intensity greater than said threshold intensity.
- 2. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of ultrasonically recording signal generated by destruction of the microbubble.
- 3. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of reducing the applied power intensity to less than said threshold intensity, then ultrasonically recording the reflow of said microbubble agent into the region of interest.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said microbubble population is comprised of microbubbles having diameters within the range of 1 to 10 microns.
- 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said microbubble population comprises hollow microbubbles having a shell consisting essentially of a single layer.
- 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said microbubbles comprise a biodegradable polymer.
- 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said polymer is a biocompatible amphiphilic material.
- 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said microbubble population comprises microbubbles having an outer shell comprising an outer layer of biologically compatible amphiphilic material and an inner layer of a biodegradable polymer.
- 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said amphiphilic material comprises a protein.
- 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said protein comprises collagen, gelatin, albumin, or globulin.
- 11. A method according to claim 6 or 8, wherein said biodegradable polymer comprises polycaprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyhydroxybutyrate, or copolymers or mixtures thereof.
- 12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said region of interest is the heart.
- 13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said region of interest is the kidney.
- 14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said region of interest is the liver.
- 15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said threshold intensity of ultrasonic power sufficient to induce rupture of said microbubbles is at a Mechanical Index of between 0.1 and 2.6.
- 16. An ultrasound imaging contrast agent comprising a microbubble population having a controlled fragility wherein each microbubble of said population comprises an outer shell and a hollow core, said outer shell having a wall thickness that forms a ratio with the microbubble diameter that is substantially the same as the wall thickness to diameter ratio of all other microbubbles in the population.
- 17. A contrast agent according to claim 16, wherein said microbubble population comprises microbubbles having diameters within the range of 1 to 10 microns.
- 18. A contrast agent according to claim 16, wherein said microbubble population comprises hollow microparticles having a shell consisting essentially of a single layer.
- 19. A contrast agent according to claim 18, wherein said microbubbles comprise a biodegradable polymer.
- 20. A contrast agent according to claim 19, wherein said polymer is a biocompatible amphiphilic material.
- 21. A contrast agent according to claim 16, wherein said microbubble population comprises microbubbles having an outer shell comprising an outer layer of biologically compatible amphiphilic material and an inner layer of a biodegradable polymer.
- 22. A contrast agent according to claim 20 or 21, wherein said amphiphilic material comprises a protein.
- 23. A contrast agent according to claim 22 wherein said protein comprises collagen, gelatin, albumin, or globulin.
- 24. A contrast agent according to claim 19 or 21, wherein said biodegradable polymer comprises polycaprolactone, polylactide, polyglycolide, polyhydroxyvalerate, polyhydroxybutyrate, or copolymers or mixtures thereof.
- 25. A contrast agent according to claim 16 wherein said ultrasound imaging contrast agent is imaged by means of ultrasound B-mode imaging methods.
- 26. A contrast agent according to claim 16 wherein said ultrasound imaging contrast agent is imaged by means of ultrasound doppler methods.
- 27. A contrast agent according to claim 16 wherein said ultrasound imaging contrast agent is imaged by means of ultrasound pulsed inversion methods.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/638,167, now abandoned filed Aug. 11, 2000, in which the priority of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/148,947, filed Aug. 13, 1999, is claimed. The disclosures of said applications are incorporated by reference herein.
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Number |
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Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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09/638167 |
Aug 2000 |
US |
Child |
10/225252 |
|
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