Patents Assigned to Amersham Health AS
-
Publication number: 20040126321Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Amersham Health A/SInventor: Steven C. Quay
-
Patent number: 6723303Abstract: Agents for use in ultrasound contrast include protein microspheres in which a gas such as perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane or perfluoropentane is contained.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Amersham Health, ASInventor: Steven C Quay
-
Patent number: 6689871Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying diphtheria toxin comprising (1) fermenting a microorganism strain capable of producing diphtheria toxin using glucose as a carbon source, the method comprising adding glucose to a growing culture whereby the addition of glucose maintains microorganism growth effective to support diphtheria toxin production; and (2) purifying the diphtheria toxin from the culture by contacting a toxin containing preparation derived therefrom with an ion exchange matrix, eluting a fraction containing the toxin, applying the eluate to a hydrophobic matrix, and eluting a fraction containing the toxin.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Henry Wolfe, Fahar Merchant, Rosemina Merchant, Christopher Black, Harry Storflor, Geir Stokke, Halldis Hellebust
-
Patent number: 6689065Abstract: Prostate abnormalities such as cancer may be detected by ultrasonic determination of the in-flow kinetics of contrast agent-containing blood in the prostate and/or by observation of disease-related asymmetries in the the spoke-like vascular pattern of the prostate.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Anne Kirsti Aksnes, Morten Eriksen, Else Kruger Hagen, Audun Tornes
-
Publication number: 20040024307Abstract: The invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) reacting para-hydrogen enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor containing a non-hydrogen non-zero nuclear spin nucleus to produce a hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (ii) administering said hydrogenated MR imaging agent to said sample; (iii) exposing said sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus from said sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from said detected signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Amersham Health ASInventors: Klaes Golman, Oskar Axelsson, Haukur Johanneson, Charlotte Olofsson, Sven Mansson, Stefan Petersson
-
Patent number: 6680047Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Jo Klaveness, Pål Rongved, Anders Høgset, Helge Tolleshaug, Alan Cuthbertson, Aslak Godal, Lars Hoff, Geir Gogstad, Klaus Bryn, Anne Nævestad, Dagfinn Løvhaug, Halldis Hellebust, Magne Solbakken
-
Publication number: 20040009122Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V-L-R, where V is a vector moiety having affinity for an angiogenesis-related endothelias cell receptor, L is a linker moiety or a bond and R is a detectable moiety, characterised in that V is a non-peptidic organic group, or V is peptidic and R is a macromolecular or particulate species providing a multiplicity of labels detectable in in vivo imaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: AMERSHAM HEALTH ASInventors: Jo Klaveness, Anne Naevestad, Helge Tolleshaug
-
Publication number: 20030228254Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V-L-R where V is an organic group having binding affinity for an angiotensin II receptor site, L is a linker moiety or a bond, and R is a moiety detectable in in vivo imaging of a human or animal body, with the provisos that where V is angiotensin or a peptidic angiotensin derivative or analog then V-L-R is other than a non-metal radionuclide substituted peptide (e.g. 125I substituted angiotensin II) and L-V is other than simply a peptide with a chelating agent amide bonded to a side chain thereof. This composition of matter may be used to image cardiovascular diseases and disorders.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Applicant: AMERSHAM HEALTH ASInventors: Jo Klaveness, Anne Naevestad, Alan Cuthbertson
-
Patent number: 6659296Abstract: A package (10) comprises a plastic bottle (20), a stopper (40) removably inserted into the mouth of the bottle, and a plastic cap (50). The cap has a cover member (52) which overlies the stopper and has a region (66) which is removable to expose the upper surface of the stopper to allow piercing thereof by a needle or the like. The removable region is provided with a pull-ring (68) protected from accidental operation by a protective portion (60) projecting upwardly from the edge of the cover member (52). The protective portion is formed separately from the rest of the cap and is attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventor: Martin Monteagle Browne
-
Patent number: 6662040Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating an image of an animate human or non-human animal body or part thereof. The method comprises administering to said body a physiologically tolerable contrast agent comprising a radiation absorbing component and/or a pressure inducing component, exposing said body to radiation, detecting pressure waves generated in said body by said radiation and generating an optoacoustic image therefrom of at least a part of said body containing the administered contrast agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Paul Mark Henrichs, Marten Eriksen, Pal Rongved, Wolfgang Hans Heinrich Gunther, Robert Allen Snow, Kenneth Robert Hollister, Gregory Lynn McIntire, Steven Blair Coffey
-
Patent number: 6646171Abstract: A process for the crystallisation of a sterically hindered organic compound from a saturated or supersaturated solution of said compound in a solvent therefor, characterised in that crystallisation is effected under elevated pressure at a temperature above the boiling point of said solution at atmospheric pressure and up to the boiling point of said solution at said elevated pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventor: Jan Cervenka
-
Publication number: 20030206863Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Applicant: Amersham Health A/SInventor: Steven C. Quay
-
Patent number: 6620404Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health A/SInventor: Steven C. Quay
-
Patent number: 6610885Abstract: Process for the preparation of contrast agents The invention provides a process for the preparation of an N-alkyl-acylamino-phenyl-carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative by liquid phase acylation and subsequent N-alkylation of a corresponding amino-phenyl-carboxylic acid (or carboxylic acid derivative), the improvement comprising the addition of an alkylating agent to a solution containing the reaction products of said acylation, to effect said N-alkylation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1998Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Trygve Gulbrandsen, Odd Einar Ingvoldstad, Lars Terje Holmaas
-
Patent number: 6610269Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter of the formula (I): V—L—R, where V is a vector moiety having affinity for an angiogenesis-related endothelias cell receptor, L is a linker moiety or a bond and R is a detectable moiety, characterized in that V is a non-peptidic organic group, or V is peptidic and R is a macromolecular or particulate species providing a multiplicity of labels detectable in in vivo imaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Jo Klaveness, Anne Naevestad, Helge Tolleshaug
-
Patent number: 6610547Abstract: The invention provides a method of contrast agent drug candidate selection which involves: (i) obtaining a combinatorial library comprising an admixture of potential contrast agent drug candidates each incorporating a reporter moiety which is detectable in the animate human or non-human animal body (e.g. mammalian, avian or reptilian body), said library comprising a plurality of said reporter moieties which are interdistinguishably detectable in said body; (ii) administering said library to an animate human or non-human animal body; (iii) identifying in vivo one or more of said reporter moieties which has a desired distribution and/or elimination pattern in said body and thereby identifying a member of said library which has said pattern site or a sub-set of said library which contains a member of said library which has said pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Jo Klaveness, Harald Dugstad, Julian Cockbain
-
Patent number: 6595925Abstract: Ultrasound imaging using gas microbubble-containing contrast agents may be performed in the recirculating phase following admixture of the contrast agent with the blood pool, thereby prolonging the useful imaging time window compared to that conventionally obtained during the backscatter signal peak resulting from first pass of a contrast agent bolus. The length of the time window may further be increased by imaging at ultrasound frequencies of 2 MHz or less, particularly by harmonic imaging at transmit frequencies less than the resonance frequencies of the gas microbubbles.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Jonny Østensen, Morten Eriksen, Audun Tornes, Sigmund Frigstad
-
Patent number: 6574496Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample by (i) reacting ortho-deuterium enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor to produce a hydrogenated (i.e. deuterated) MR imaging agent; (ii) optionally, subjecting the hydrogenated MR imaging agent to a low magnetic field;(iii) administering the hydrogenated MR imaging agent to the sample; (iv) exposing the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of selected non-zero nuclear spin nuclei in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of the selected non-zero nuclear spin nuclei from the sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from the detected signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Klaes Golman, Oskar Axelsson, Haukur Johannesson
-
Patent number: 6574495Abstract: The invention provides a method of magnetic resonance investigation of a sample, said method comprising: (i) reacting para-hydrogen enriched hydrogen with a hydrogenatable MR imaging agent precursor containing a non-hydrogen non-zero nuclear spin nucleus to produce a hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (ii) administering said hydrogenated MR imaging agent to said sample; (iii) exposing said sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus in said hydrogenated MR imaging agent; (v) detecting magnetic resonance signals of said non-zero nuclear spin nucleus from said sample; and (vi) optionally, generating an image or biological functional data or dynamic flow data from said detected signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health ASInventors: Klaes Golman, Oskar Axelsson, Haukur Johanneson, Charlotte Olofsson, Sven Mansson, Stefan Petersson
-
Patent number: 6569404Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the animal to be imaged and which therefore undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to the animal. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Amersham Health A/SInventor: Steven C. Quay