Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device (5) and more particularly, an implantable biomaterial. The biomaterial comprises a radiopaque (22) collagenous biomaterial (10).

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effects of administering an external stimuli or treatment such as a psychoactive compound, a drug, or an environmental influence like temperature, noise, vibration, light and similar sensory-perceived influences, on a subject's brain using imaging techniques with position emission tomography (PET). The method measures cerebral metabolism before and after administering the external stimuli or treatment, and employs a behavioral clamp to control behavioral influences on the subject's brain after administration of the external stimuli or treatment.

Abstract: Perfluoroalkyl-containing complexes with sugar radicals of general formula I in which R represents a monosaccharide or oligosaccharide radical that is bonded via the 1-OH position or 1-SH position, Rf means a perfluorinated carbon chain, K is a metal complex, and Y and Z represent linker groups, are suitable for intravenous lymphography, for tumor diagnosis and for infarction and necrosis imaging.

Abstract: A liposome containing a hydrophobic iodine compound such as a 1,3,5-triiodobenzene derivative having at least one substituent containing 18 or more carbon atoms as a membrane component, and an X-ray contrast medium containing the liposome for use in radiography of a vascular disease and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process of manufacture of nanoparticles of substantially water insoluble materials from emulsions. The emulsions have the ability to form a single liquid phase upon dilution of the external phase, instantly producing dispersible solid nanoparticles. The formed nanoparticles have average diameter of about 10 to 200 nm and are suitable for drug delivery and targeting of water insoluble therapeutic or diagnostic agents. Examples of such agents are methotrexate, progesterone, testosterone, prednisolone, and ibuprofen. Such agents can be used in a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic treatments including treatment for cancer, hormonal therapy, and pain management.

Abstract: This invention relates to contrast agents and the use of these contrast agents for diagnosis of diseases in humans and animals based on mapping of metabolic activity. The contrast agents can be used to identify tissue or cells with metabolic activity or enzymatic activity deviating from the normal. A contrast agent substrate changes pharmacodynamic and/or pharmacokinetic properties upon a chemical modification from a contrast agent substrate to a contrast agent product in a specific enzymatic transformation, thereby detecting areas of disease upon a deviation in the enzyme activity from the normal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio-opaque composition including a polymer or monomer, wherein the polymer or monomer has a non-leachable radio-opaque moiety. The non-leachable radio-opaque moiety is covalently attached to the polymer or monomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a complex comprising a redox-active metal cluster in a chemically inert shell. The inventive complex has the formula M8(&mgr;4-E)4(&mgr;-L)12X, where M is chosen from a transition metal, a lanthanide, an actinide and mixtures thereof; E is a chalcogenide; L is a bridging ligand; and X is a terminal ligand. The chemically inert shell enables the complex to exhibit structural stability over several oxidation states, and to exhibit reversible electrochemical reduction properties. A single reactor method of making this complex from simple starting materials is also disclosed. The active center further allows the octanuclear complex to be used in making supercluster assemblies that have electron transfer properties or in making contrasting agents for MRI applications, for example.

Abstract: Bioadhesive nanoparticulate compositions, comprising active agent particles and one or more cationic surface stabilizers, are described. The cationic surface stabilizers prevent aggregation of the nanoparticles and increase bioadhesion of the nanoparticles to biological substrates, such as an insect, teeth, bone, nails, chitin, feathers, scales, mucous, skin, hair, plant tissue, etc. The particles may consist of pharmacologically active compounds (e.g., drug compounds for human or veterinary use), agricultural chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and the like), cosmetic agents, consumer products (coloring agents, flavors, or fragrances), or other materials which function by interacting with biological substrates. In addition, the invention relates to methods of preparing and using such bioadhesive nanoparticulate compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat macular edemas, including DME, CRVO and BRVO. It provides an alternative to photocoagulation and the disadvantages associated therewith.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effects of administering an external stimuli or treatment such as a psychoactive compound, a drug, or an environmental influence like temperature, noise, vibration, light and similar sensory-perceived influences, on a subject's brain using imaging techniques with positron emission tomography (PET). The method measures cerebral metabolism before and after administering the external stimuli or treatment, and employs a behavioral clamp to control behavioral influences on the subject's brain after administration of the external stimuli or treatment.

Abstract: System and method for radiographic imaging of tissue using a non-radioactive, radio-opaque imaging agent that accumulates intracellularly in tissue in proportion to its functional, or physiological, activity. In one embodiment, the imaging agent is a cell-membrane permeable, radio-opaque, high affinity ligand for the intracellular enzyme hexokinase. The imaging agent is administered to a patient, and after an accumulation interval, radiographic images are acquired. The imaging agent preferentially accumulates in malignant tissue and increases its radio-opacity because of its elevated glucose metabolic rate relative to benign and normal tissue. The tissue being examined is transilluminated by X-ray beams with preselected different mean energy spectra, and a separate radiographic image is acquired during transillumination by each beam. An image processing system performs a weighted combination of the acquired images to produce a single displayed image.

Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus, for small animal imaging, in which the object to be examined is treated with an activatable optical contrast medium, which preferably has a metabolically activatable mark, and irradiated by a first optical excitation source. The first radiation reflected from the object is detected by a first optical detector, and simultaneously irradiated by a second tomographic excitation source, while the second radiation transferred from the object is detected by a second tomographic detector. In this case, the second tomographic excitation source advantageously generates an X-ray radiation, so that the resulting CT image can be superposed with the optical image in order to evaluate morphological and functional information.

Abstract: The present invention describes, among other things, the surprising discovery that gaseous precursor filled compositions are profoundly more effective as acoustically active contrast agents when they are thermally preactivated to temperatures at or above the boiling point of the instilled gaseous precursor prior to their in vivo administration to a patient. Further optimization of contrast enhancement is achieved by administering the gaseous precursor filled compositions to a patient as an infusion. Enhanced effectiveness is also achieved for ultrasound mediated targeting and drug delivery.

Abstract: Improved methods for detecting lesions in dense breast tissue are disclosed. The methods of the invention generally feature administration to a subject of an LHRH antagonist in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to reduce the density of breast tissue prior to generating an image of the breast tissue, for example by mammography, to detect a lesion in the breast tissue. Packaged formulations for reducing breast density in a subject prior to generating an image of the subject's breast tissue, comprising an LHRH antagonist packaged with instructions for using the LHRH antagonist to reduce breast density in a subject prior to imaging the breast tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for embolizing blood vessels which are particularly suited for treating vascular lesions via catheter delivery.

Abstract: A composition comprising of a monomer component comprised of at least one alkyl cyanoacrylate and at least one inhibitor, and a second component comprised of a resultant aggregate structure formed from an alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer, an alkyl esterified fatty acid and an opacificant agent where said composition forms a resultant aggregate structure when said composition contacts an anionic environment. The compositions are useful for filling, occluding, partially filling or partially occluding an unfilled volume or space in a mass in an anionic environment. The composition are also useful for ablating diseased or undesired tissue by cutting off the blood supply to the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for embolizing blood vessels which are particularly suited for treating vascular lesions via catheter delivery.

Abstract: Substantially homogeneous aqueous suspensions of low density microspheres are presented as contrast media for imaging the gastrointestinal tract and other body cavities using computed tomography. In one embodiment, the low density microspheres are gas-filled. With computed tomography, the contrast media serve to change the relative density of certain areas within the gastrointestinal tract and other body cavities, and improve the overall diagnostic efficacy of this imaging method.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel compounds of the formula: (Q)d—Ln—Ch, useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, methods of imaging tumors in a patient, and methods of treating cancer in a patient. The present invention also provides novel compounds useful for monitoring therapeutic angiogenesis treatment and destruction of new angiogenic vasculature. The pharmaceuticals are comprised of a targeting moiety that binds to a receptor that is upregulated during angiogenesis, an optional linking group, and a therapeutically effective radioisotope or diagnostically effective imageable moiety. The imageable moiety is a gamma ray or positron emitting radioisotope, a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, an X-ray contrast agent, or an ultrasound contrast agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel radiopharmaceuticals comprising one to three pentapeptides, X1X2X3X4X5, independently attached to a metal chelator or bonding moiety, Ch, to which is attached a Tc-99m, Re-186, or Re-188, optionally further comprising a linking group, Ln, between-the peptides and the chelator or bonding moiety. The pentapeptide sequence binds to the tuftsin receptor and is attached at the N-terminus to Ln or Ch. These radiopharmaceuticals are useful for the diagnosis of infection and inflammation, reagents and kits useful for preparing the radiopharmaceuticals, methods of imaging sites of infection and/or inflammation in a patient, and methods of diagnosing diseases associated with infection or inflammation in patients in need of such diagnosis.

Abstract: Macrocyclic chelant are disclosed, as well as chelates of the chelants with metal ions to form radiopharmaceutical and radioactive, MRI and X-ray or CT imaging compounds and compositions. Therapeutic and imaging methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: To lessen the allergic or pseudoallergic side effects of radiological contrast agents, the contrast agent is preincubated in vitro with a reactive medium such as human or animal blood protein, whereupon the resultant reaction products are separated off from the contrast agent by ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel compounds of the formula: (Q)d—Ln—Ch, useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, methods of imaging tumors in a patient, and methods of treating cancer in a patient. The present invention also provides novel compounds useful for monitoring therapeutic angiogenesis treatment and destruction of new angiogenic vasculature. The present invention further provides novel compounds useful for imaging atherosclerosis, restenosis, cardiac ischemia, and myocardial reperfusion injury. The present invention still further provides novel compounds useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The pharmaceuticals are comprised of a targeting moiety that binds to a receptor that is upregulated during angiogenesis, an optional linking group, and a therapeutically effective radioisotope or diagnostically effective imageable moiety.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel compounds of the formula: (Q)d—Ln—Ch, useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, methods of imaging tumors in a patient, and methods of treating cancer in a patient. The present invention also provides novel compounds useful for monitoring therapeutic angiogenesis treatment and destruction of new angiogenic vasculature. The present invention further provides novel compounds useful for imaging atherosclerosis, restenosis, cardiac ischemia, and myocardial reperfusion injury. The present invention still further provides novel compounds useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The pharmaceuticals are comprised of a targeting moiety that binds to a receptor that is upregulated during angiogenesis, an optional linking group, and a therapeutically effective radioisotope or diagnostically effective imageable moiety.

Abstract: The invention relates to fibrin/fibrinogen binding conjugate comprising a fibrin/fibrinogen binding moiety, a substance capturing moiety capable of reversibly binding to a pharmaceutically active substance, and a pharmaceutically active substance, wherein the fibrin/fibrinogen binding moiety is bound to the substance capturing moiety, a kit for forming a depot for a pharmaceutically active substance and a method for producing a depot for a pharmaceutically active substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for imaging cell death in vivo, as well as methods and compositions for tumor radiotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of imaging and treatment using at least one photodynamic therapy (“PDT”) agent. In particular, the apparatus and method is for imaging and treating diseased tissue.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition for the treatment of tumors, of (i) at least one cytostatic drug component which is unencapsulated or is encapsulated in a PEG-, immuno-, or immuno/PEG liposome, (ii) at least one of lyophilized starch particles, degradable starch particles, and gelatine, in combination with (iii) a contrasting agent containing at least one of iodine, gadolinium, and magnetite.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating endoleaks arising from endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The disclosed methods involve the in situ sealing of endoleaks after placement of an endovascular prostheses in the abdominal aorta. Sealing of endoleaks is achieved by injection of either a biocompatible polymer or prepolymer fluid composition into the endoleak which composition in situ solidifies to seal the leak. Preferably, the biocompatible fluid composition comprises a contrast agent to allow the clinician to visualize the sealing process.

Abstract: A composition useful as an embolic agent that selectively creates an embolic blockage in the lumen of a blood vessel, duct, fistula or other like body passageways by combining a monomer component and a second component wherein, said monomer component comprises of a alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer and at least one inhibitor agent; and said second component that functions as an opacificant agent and a polymerization retardant.

Abstract: A composition comprising of a monomer component comprised of at least one alkyl cyanoacrylate and at least one inhibitor, and a second component comprised of a resultant aggregate structure formed from an alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer, an alkyl esterified fatty acid and an opacificant agent where said composition forms a resultant aggregate structure when said composition contacts an anionic environment. The compositions are useful for filling, occluding, partially filling or partially occluding an unfilled volume or space in a mass in an anionic environment. The composition are also useful for ablating diseased or undesired tissue by cutting off the blood supply to the tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to new, monomeric, perfluoroalkyl-substituted metal complexes, processes for their production, and their use in diagnosis and therapy. The compounds according to the invention are suitable especially as in vivo contrast media in nuclear spin tomography (MRT). They can preferably be used as blood-pool agents and as lymphographic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to macrocyclic perfluoroalkylamides, their production and their use in diagnosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are a viscosity-standardized combination of solutions and a method of using the solutions for the diagnosis of dysphagia and for radiographic imaging of the oropharynx.

Abstract: An immunoassay method including reacting a sample from a patient with a bispecific antibody, wherein the bispecific antibody includes one antibody specific for a compound to be detected and a second antibody specific for a compound foreign to said patient sample, and subsequently reacting the patient sample with a polymer probe, wherein the polymer probe includes a compound recognized by the second antibody in the bispecific antibody complex and further includes at least two detectable signals; the bispecific antibody; and the polymer probe of the immunoassay method are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing contrast during imaging to assess cell and nuclear morphology of a sample. A contrast agent such as acetic acid, toluidine blue, hypertonic saline, hypotonic saline, Lugol's iodine, an absorbing dye, a liposome, or a contrast agent linked to a marker are applied to a sample. The sample is analyzed with an imaging device to create image data, and the sample is diagnosed using the image data.

Abstract: Particulate crystalline therapeutic substances are formulated with stabilizers to enhance contact between the crystalline therapeutic substances and the mucosal membranes to provide extended therapeutic effect.

Abstract: A radiopaque polymeric composition useful as a polymer coating on a substrate. The compositions are designed to be bioabsorbable and are particularly useful on implantable medical devices, such as vascular prostheses and the like.

Abstract: A composition useful as an embolic agent that selectively creates an embolic blockage in the lumen of a blood vessel, duct, fistula or other like body passageways by combining a monomer component and a second component wherein, said monomer component comprises of a alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer and at least one inhibitor agent; and said second component that functions as an opacificant agent and a polymerization retardant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-aqueous fluorocarbon composition for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radiographic imaging (X-ray or computed tomography), particularly imaging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; an improved fluorocarbon composition with enhanced contrast effects in the GI tract; a fluorocarbon composition having improved palatability; a fluorocarbon composition for delivering drugs or bioactive agents; improved preparations for radiographic imaging or MRI; methods for producing and using such preparations; methods for improving the palatability of non-aqueous liquids; and methods for improving imaging.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions for embolizing blood vessels which are particularly suited for treating vascular lesions via catheter deliver.

Abstract: New macromolecular carriers for drugs and diagnostic agents are described that make use of the chemical attachment of new leashes to oligomeric backbone structures. The synthesis of these leashes and their facile creation, reaction and conjugation with chelators and ligands makes them ideal candidates for use in medicine, and especially diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds comprising a linear, branched or dendrimeric polymer backbone with linked thereto at least one reporter moiety, said polymer backbone comprising a plurality of amine-containing acids. Such compounds may be linked to one or more targeting agents and are useful as therapeutic and diagnostic agents, in particular in medical imaging techniques.

Abstract: This invention describes a new type of X-ray contrast agents. It has been found that iodinated alkenes containing one or several C═C double bonds substituted with electronic neutral substituents and iodine can be used as X-ray contrast agents. Also new iodoalkene compounds are described.

Abstract: 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclodedecane butyltriols of general formula IA in which R1 means hydrogen or a metal ion equivalent independent of one another and R2 means a butyltriol radical as well as their salts with organic or inorganic bases or amino acids are valuable pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugates, comprising an active substance, a polypeptide and a polyether, a process for the production of such conjugates as well as their use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting chitin-containing organisms on an area of a person or animal by contacting the particular area with a dye that is capable of binding or conjugating to chitin and emitting fluorescence upon exposure to light. If a chitin-containing organism is present in the treated area, the chitin of the organism will bind or conjugate the dye and, upon exposure to light, the chitin-containing organisms may be visualized and removed. Also provided by the present invention are solutions and suspensions that contain a dye capable of binding or conjugating to a chitin-containing organism and emitting fluorescence upon exposure to light. The solutions and suspensions provided herein may be in the form of a shampoo, cream, lotion or detergent for the detection of chitin-containing organisms present in body hair, on the skin, clothing or the fur of animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides new compositions and methods to induce therapeutic angiogenesis locally utilizing a collagen binding domain to target an angiogenesis modulating agents. Fusion polypeptides containing a collagen binding domain linked to an angiogenesis modulating agent are provided, as are nucleic acid sequences encoding the fusion polypeptides. Also included are methods for locally altering circulation by administering a fusion polypeptide consisting of a collagen binding domain linked to an angiogenesis modulating agent, or by administering a nucleic acid sequences encoding the fusion polypeptide. Tissue grafts in which isolated tissue is treated with a fusion polypeptide consisting of a collagen binding domain linked to an angiogenesis modulating agent, or with a nucleic acid sequences encoding the fusion polypeptide are also provided, as are methods of making the grafts.