Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The laminarized surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the laminarized surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase.

Abstract: The invention provides improved and simplified methods of synthesizing ligands containing a heteroatom-bearing bridge using a novel intermediate compound. The ligands may be used to form metal complexes that are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The laminarized surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the laminarized surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Novel metal-chelate complexes comprising aminocarboxylate ligands including substituted aromatic amide moieties, such as those having the formula wherein R13, A1, R1 and R2 are as defined herein, are disclosed.

Abstract: One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.

Abstract: Novel metal-chelate complexes comprising aminocarboxylate ligands including substituted aromatic amide moieties, such as those having the formula wherein R13, A1, R1 and R2 are as defined herein, are disclosed.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble and microballoon suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. The microbubble suspensions contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The laminarized surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The microbubble suspensions are obtained by exposing the laminarized surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. The microballoons have a mean size in the range of 0.5 to 1000 microns bounded by a 50 to 500 nm thick polymer membrane. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles and gas-filled microballoons used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.

Abstract: The invention features sincalide formulations that include an effective amount of sincalide, a bulking agent/tonicity adjuster, a stabilizer, a surfactant, a chelator, and a buffer. The invention also features kits and methods for preparing improved sincalide formulations, as well as methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing gall bladder-related disorders using sincalide formulations.

Abstract: Disclosed are injectable suspensions of gas filled microbubbles in an aqueous carrier liquid usable as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. The suspensions comprise amphipathic compounds of which at least one may be a laminarized phospholipid as a stabiliser of the microbubbles against collapse with time and pressure. The concentration of phospholipids in the carrier liquid is below 0.01% wt but is at least equal to or above that at which phospholipid molecules are present solely at the gas microbubble-liquid interface. Also disclosed are methods of preparation of the stable suspensions of gas filled microbubbles, as well as dry formulations which, upon reconstitution in an aqueous carrier liquid, will form the injectable suspensions of gas filled microbubbles of the invention and methods of making and using the same The preferred dry formulations are stable when stored over time and at temperatures above ambient temperature and further comprise a lipid acid preserving agent additive.

Abstract: Air or gas filled microballoons bounded by an interfacially deposited polymer membrane which can be dispersed in aqueous carrier liquids to be injected into living organisms or administered orally, rectally and urethrally for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes (echography). The properties of the polymeric membrane of the microballoons (elasticity, permeability, biodegradability) can be controlled at will depending on the selected polymer, the interfacial deposition conditions, and the polymer additives.

Abstract: A novel method for the preparation of a pre-filled plastic syringe, and preferably the preparation of a plastic syringe pre-filled with a diagnostic contrast agent wherein said syringe comprises as components a barrel, a tip seal capable of sealing the nozzle of the barrel and a piston capable of sliding in the barrel and sealing the open end of the barrel opposite the nozzle, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one component of said syringe which is molded under conditions which are substantially free of pyrogens and viable and non-viable articulates; and (b) filling and assembling said syringe.

Abstract: Novel methods, processes and metal complexes attached to a hypoxia-localizing moiety comprising a metal, preferably radionuclide of rhenium or technetium; a hypoxia-localizing moiety; and, a complexing ligand, wherein said ligand and said radionuclide combined have cell membrane permeabilities greater than that of sucrose, are disclosed.

Abstract: Metal chelates capable of exhibiting an immobilized relativity between about 60 and 200 mM−1s−1/metal atom are useful as magnetic resonance imaging agents. Additionally, a compound which is useful as a metal-chelating ligand has the following formula: wherein Q is a 4- to an 8-membered carbocyclic ring which may be fully or partially saturated; t is an integer from 2 to 16; each R group is independently hydrogen, —OH, —CH2—A, —OCH2CH(OH)CH2—A or a functional group capable of forming a conjugate with a biomolecule, provided that at least two of the R groups are selected from —CH2—A or —OCH2CH(OH)CH2—A; and A is a moiety capable of chelating a metal atom.

Abstract: Substituted polycarboxylic ligand molecules and corresponding metal complexes of said ligands, preferably paramagnetic metals complexes for generating responses in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) The paramagnetic complexes of the polycarboxylic ligands possess advantageous tensioactive properties and are useful as MRI contrast media in formulations for investigating the blood pool.

Abstract: 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclodecane, a precursor for the synthesis of macrocylic chelating agents for metal ions such as gadolinium, is prepared efficiently as a highly pure product on an industrial scale.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Abstract: One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.