Abstract: An x-ray contrast medium containing a multinuclear complex of the formula (M.sub.6 (.mu..sub.3 B).sub.8 A.sub.v).sub.x L.sub.w, wherein M is Mo, W, Re Tc, V, Nb, Ta, Ru, or Fe; .mu..sub.3 B represent a tridentate bridging atom; A is a non-bridging atom; L is a ligand coordinately bonded to at least one M atom; x is a positive integer; and v and w are independently zero or positive integers.

Abstract: The invention provides low viscosity iodinated aryl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula I ##STR1## (wherein n is 0 or 1, and where n is 1 each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moeity may be the same or different; each group R is a hydrogen atom, an iodine atom or a hydrophilic moiety M or M.sub.1, two or three non-adjacent R groups in each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety being iodine and at least one, and preferably two or three, R groups in each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety being M or M.sub.1 moieties; X denotes a bond or a group providing a 1 to 7 atom chain linking two C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moieties or, where n is 0, X denotes a group R; each M independently is a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety; and each M.sub.1 independently represents a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group substituted by at least one hydroxyl group and optionally linked to the phenyl ring via a carbonyl, sulphone or sulphoxide group, at least one R group being an M.sub.1 moiety; with the proviso that where n is zero either at least one M.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a contrast medium composition comprising: (a) a first contrast agent comprising a physiologically tolerable manganese compound together with an uptake promoter, having a manganese concentration of at least 0.3 mM or being in a dosage unit form containing at least 300 .mu.mol manganese, wherein the uptake promoter comprises a physiologically tolerable reducing compound containing an .alpha.-hydroxy ketone group or a physiologically tolerable acid containing .alpha.- and/or .beta.- hydroxy or amino groups, or a salt thereof, and/or vitamin D; together with (b) a second contrast agent.Such compositions are particularly suitable for imaging of the liver.

Abstract: The use in diagnostic imaging, in particular X-ray, MRI, ultrasound and scintigraphy, of contrast agents comprising bismuth clusters and/or organic bismuth compounds, and contrast media containing such bismuth compounds. The bismuth compounds are also useful in therapy, in particular as antimicrobial agents and antiulcer agents. Novel bismuth compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides amphiphilic compounds of the formula (I) Ch--(--L--Ar--(--AH).sub.n).sub.m (where Ch is a hydrophilic chelant moiety or a salt or a chelate thereof); each L is an optionally oxo substituted C.sub.2-25 -alkylene linker wherein at least one CH.sub.2 moiety is replaced by a group X.sup.1 (e.g. L may include a chain sequence, an X.sup.1 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1).sub.u (where u is a positive integer) such as X.sup.1 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1).sub.u, CH.sub.2 X.sup.1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1, CH.sub.2 X.sup.1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sup.1, etc.), and wherein L is optionally interrupted by a metabolizable group M but with the provisos that the terminus of L adjacent Ch is CH.sub.2 and that the terminus of L adjacent Ar is X.sup.1 or a CH.sub.2 group adjacent or separated by one CH.sub.2 from a group X.sup.1 (thus, for example the L--Ar linkage may be L.sup.1 --X.sup.1 --Ar, L.sup.1 --CH.sub.2 --Ar, L.sup.1 --X.sup.

Abstract: Ultrasound contrast agents comprising a microbubble-generating suspension of a microparticulate X-ray contrast agent in a liquid carrier medium.

Abstract: An installation in a slitter mill for mounting a tool set (5), composed of annular tool parts (3), on a set-up device (1) provided with bars (2). The tool parts (3) are stored in a plurality of magazines (4) in a tool storage. A gantry robot (9) is adapted to collect tool parts (3) from the magazines (4) by means of a gripper (7) and to temporarily store the tool parts (3) in an associated intermediate magazine (13). The robot (9) with the intermediate magazine (13) moves between the magazines (4) and collects the desired tool parts (3) by means of the gripper (7) for loading a tool set in the intermediate magazine. A transfer device (15) is adapted to lift and transfer to the bars (2) a tool set present in the intermediate magazine (13). (FIG. 2 ).

Abstract: There is provided a contrast medium composition for magnetic resonance imaging comprising a physiologically tolerable manganese compound, a physiologically tolerable reducing compound containing an .alpha.-hydroxy ketone group, or salt thereof and a physiologically tolerable carrier or excipient, having a manganese concentration of at least 0.3 mM or being in a dosage unit form containing at least 300 .mu.mol manganese. Such compositions are particularly suitable for imaging of the liver.

Abstract: The invention provides a diagnostic composition for administration to human or animal subjects, the composition containing multilamellar liposomes, optionally together with unilamellar liposomes, the liposomes containing at least one imaging agent and being suspended in an aqueous medium containing said imaging agent, wherein the liposomes comprise a neutral phospholipid and a charged phospholipid, the average particle diameter of the liposomes is 50-3000 nm and the concentration of imaging agent in any aqueous phase filling the interior of the liposomes is substantially the same as that in the aqueous medium in which the liposomes are suspended. The contrast agents concerned are typically X-ray, MRI or ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use as contrast enhancing agents in medical imaging, especially X-ray imaging, of multinuclear complexes, i.e. complexes, such as those of W202 (U20) 2, in which the complexed entity comprises at least two contrast enhancing atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound contrast agents comprising a microbubble-generating suspension of a microparticulate X-ray contrast agent in a liquid carrier medium.

Abstract: Heterocyclic chelating agents and salts thereof of formula I: ##STR1## wherein X represents a bond, O or S, or a group CHR.sup.1 or NR.sup.3 ; each R.sup.1 represents H, a group OR.sup.3 or NR.sup.3 R.sup.3, or an alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group or by a group NR.sup.3 R.sup.3 or CON.sup.3 R.sup.3 ;each R.sup.2 represents H, or an alkyl or alkoxy group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl or alkoxy group;each R.sup.3 represents H, an optionally hydroxylated alkyl group or a group CH.sub.2 Y;Y represents a group COZ, CON(OH)R.sup.4, POZ.sub.2 or SO.sub.2 Z,Z represents a group OR.sup.4, NR.sup.4 R.sup.4 or ##STR2## where each R.sup.11 is H, a hydroxyl group or an optionally hydroxylated alkyl group, s is 0, 1 or 2, and W is CHR.sup.11, NR.sup.11 or an oxygen atom; andeach R.sup.4 represents H, or an optionally mono- or poly-hydroxylated alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or polyalkoxyalkyl group;with the provisos that where s is 0 then W is CHR.sup.

Abstract: There are provided chelating agents particularly useful for the preparation of diagnostic and therapeutic agents for magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy, ultrasound imaging, radiotherapy and heavy metal detoxification, said agents being compounds of formula IX--CHR.sub.1 --NZ--(CHR.sub.1).sub.n --A--(CHR.sub.1).sub.m --NZ--CHR.sub.1 --X (I)wherein n and m are 2, 3 or 4; and A, X, R.sub.1 and Z are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: An imaging contrast medium comprising a physiologically tolerable multinuclear complex (as defined in claim 1) is disclosed. The multinuclear complex contains at least two, but preferably three or more contrast enhancing atoms. For X-ray or ultrasound imaging techniques heavy metal atoms are used to enhance contrast, whereas in Magnetic Resonance Imaging paramagnetic metal atoms are contrast enhancing. Molybdenum and tungsten are preferred contrast enhancing atoms. The medium may also be used therapeutically.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use as contrast enhancing agents in medical imaging, especially X-ray imaging, of multinuclear complexes, i.e. complexes, such as those of W2O2 (u2O)2, in which the complexed entity comprises at least two contrast enhancing atoms.

Abstract: Heterocyclic chelating agents and salts thereof of formula I: ##STR1## wherein X represents a bond, O or S, or a group CHR.sup.1 or NR.sup.3, each R.sup.1 represents H, a group OR.sup.3 or NR.sup.3 R.sup.3, or an alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group or by a group NR.sup.3 R.sup.3 or CON.sup.3 R.sup.3 ;each R.sup.2 represents H, or an alkyl or alkoxy group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl or aloxy group;each R.sup.3 represents H, an optionally hydroxylated alkyl group or a group CH.sub.2 Y;Y represents a group COZ, CON(OH)R.sup.4, POZ.sub.2 or SO.sub.2 Z; Z represents a group OR.sup.4, NR.sup.4 R.sup.4 or ##STR2## where each R.sup.11 is H, a hydroxyl group or an optionally hydroxylated alkyl group, s is 0, 1 or 2, and W is CHR.sup.11, NR.sup.11 or an oxygen atom; andeach R.sup.4 represents H, or an optionally mono- or poly-hydroxylated alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or polyalkoxyalkyl group;with the provisos that where s is O then W is CHR.sup.

Abstract: There are provided chelating agents particularly useful for the preparation of diagnostic and therapeutic agents for magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy, ultrasound imaging, radiotherapy and heavy metal detoxification, said agents being compounds of formula IX--CHR.sub.1 NZ--(CHR.sub.1).sub.n --A--(CHR.sub.1).sub.m --NZ--CHR.sub.1 --X (I)(wherein each of the groups Z is a group --CHR.sub.1 X or the groups Z together are a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.q --A'--(CHR.sub.1).sub.r --, where A' is an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group --N--Y;A is a group --N--Y or A--(CHR.sub.1).sub.m -- represents a carbon-nitrogen bond or, when the groups Z together are a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.q --A'--(CHR.sub.1).sub.r --, A may also represent an oxygen or sulphur atom;each Y, which may be the same or different, is a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.p --N(CHR.sub.1 X).sub.2 or a group --CHR.sub.1 X;each X, which may be the same or different, is a carboxyl group or a derivative thereof or a group R.sub.1 ;each R.sub.

Abstract: Heterocylic chelating agents and salts thereof of formula I: ##STR1## wherein X represents a bond, O or S, or a group CHR.sup.1 or NR.sup.3 ; R.sup.1 represents H, a group OR.sup.3 or NR.sup.3 R.sup.3, or an alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group or by a group NR.sup.3 R.sup.3 or CON.sup.3 R.sup.3 ;each R.sup.2 represents H, or an alkyl or alkoxy group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl or alkoxy group;each R.sup.3 represents H, an optionally hydroxylated alkyl group or a group CH.sub.2 Y;Y represents a group COZ, CON(OH)R.sup.4, POZ.sub.2 or SO.sub.2 Z;Z represents a group OR.sup.4, NR.sup.4 R.sup.4 or ##STR2## where each R.sup.11 is H, a hydroxyl group or an optionally hydroxylated alkyl group, s is 0, 1 or 2, and W is CHR.sup.11, NR.sup.11 or an oxygen atom; andeach R.sup.4 represents H, or an optionally mono- or poly-hydroxylated alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or polyalkoxyalkyl group;with the provisos that where s is 0 then W is CHR.sup.11 and that where X represents a bond or CHR.

Abstract: There are provided chelating agents particularly useful for the preparations of diagnostic and therapeutic agents for magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy, ultrasound imaging, radiotherapy and heavy metal detoxification, said agents being compounds of formula X--CHR.sub.1 --NZ--(CHR.sub.1).sub.n --A--(CHR.sub.1).sub.m --NZ--CHR.sub.1 --X wherein (each of the groups Z is a group --CHR.sub.1 X or the groups Z together are a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.q --A'--(CHR.sub.1).sub.r --, where A' is an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group --N--Y; A is a group --N--Y or A--(CHR.sub.1).sub.m -- represents a carbon-nitrogen bond or, when the groups Z together are a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.q --A'--(CHR.sub.1).sub.r --, A may also represent an oxygen or sulphur atom; each Y, which may be the same or different, is a group --(CHR.sub.1).sub.p --N(CHR.sub.1 X).sub.2 or a group --CHR.sub.1 X; each X, which may be the same or different, is a carboxyl group or a derivative thereof or a group R.sub.1 ; each R.sub.

Abstract: A fibre optic connector for use under water is described. Each of the two connector parts (1a, 1b) in the device contains a greasy or visco-elastic filling compound (4) which protects the ferrules (2a, 2b) and the centering unit (5), and which is displaced during mating so that light is allowed to pass. When the connector is disconnected, the filling compound (4) is drawn back across the ferrules and centering unit to provide protection again. The compound (4) is chosen so that it can remain exposed to seawater without changing its characteristics or be dissolved or washed away.