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US5385147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of ultrasonic imaging of the gastrointestinal tract and upper abdominal organs using an orally administered negative contrast medium
Assignee: Molecular Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1993-09-22
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Granted: 1995-01-31
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Expires: 2013-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for enhanced ultrasonic imaging of the tissues defining the gastrointestinal tract and the upper abdominal organs wherein the gastrointestinal tract is filled with a chemically defined essentially sonolucent ultrasound contrast agent that is stable under gastric conditions and has a gastric emptying time of at least about twenty minutes, thus causing the lumen of the upper gastrointestinal tract to appear dark relative to the positive image of the gastrointestinal tract walls and upper abdominal organs.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie D. Anderson
- 👤 Janeth M. Bartlett
- 👤 Diane M. Szaflarski
- 👤 Kenneth J. Widder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
(Amended) A method of ultrasonic imaging of tissue defining the gastrointestinal tract and organs in the upper abdominal region comprising: a) introducing a sufficient amount of a chemically defined essentially sonolucent and nonechogenic ultrasound contrast agent solution that is stable under gastric conditions and has a gastric emptying time of at least about twenty minutes into the stomach to substantially fill the stomach and remove gas by displacement, dispersion and absorption from the imaging field; b) applying ultrasonic energy to the stomach and upper abdominal region while said solution is present in the gastrointestinal tract, said energy passing through the solution and being reflected by said tissue and said organs; and c) forming an image from the reflected energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
(Amended) A method of ultrasonic imaging of tissue defining the gastrointestinal tract and organs in the upper abdominal region comprising: a) introducing a sufficient amount of a chemically defined essentially sonolucent and nonechogenic ultrasound contrast agent solution that is stable under gastric conditions and has a gastric emptying time of at least about twenty minutes into the stomach to substantially fill the stomach and remove gas by displacement, dispersion and absorption from the imaging field; b) applying ultrasonic energy to the stomach and upper abdominal region while said solution is present in the gastrointestinal tract, said energy passing through the solution and being reflected by said tissue and said organs; and c) forming an image from the reflected energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gastric emptying time is about twenty minutes to two hours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solution has an osmolality ≧300 millimoles per kilogram.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solution is degassed prior to introduction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains a solute selected from the group consisting of polydextrose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, glycerin and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the concentration of the solute is 10% to 50% weight per volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains polydextrose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains maltodextrin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains corn syrup.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains glycerin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains an acid selected from the group consisting of amino acids and fatty acids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains an amino acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains a fatty acid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains a glyceride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains a monoglyceride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains a diglyceride.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains a triglyceride.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains L-tryptophan.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solution contains an agent that binds calcium ions at gastric pH.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-30 | 1998-08-01 | 1999-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-30 | 2002-08-01 | 2003-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-08-01 | 2007-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |