Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring layer thicknesses and layer homogeneities in transparent, internally lubricant- and water-repulsion-coated containers, wherein a lens (2) focuses polychromatic light on to the internal coating (1B) of the container (1), the reflected light is detected again, coupled into a spectrometer and registered by way of a sensitive multichannel detector (7), and corresponding signals are transferred to an electronic evaluation means (8) which digitises the signals and computes the layer thickness from the interference pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas-filled microcapsules that consist of functionalized polyalkylcyanoacrylates that are produced by copolymerization of one or more alkylcyanoacrylates with a functional monomer and/or by partial side-chain hydrolysis of a polyalkylcyanoacrylate, as well as a process for the production of gas-filled microcapsules and their use for ultrasound diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of morphologically uniform microcapsules that contain peptides, proteins or other water-soluble biologically active substances as active ingredients as well as microcapsules that are produced according to this process with a degree of concentration of between 3 to 30% by weight and a diameter ≦8 &mgr;m. According to the invention, biodegradable polymers are dissolved in a halogen-free solvent or solvent mixture, and the buffered active ingredient solution, which has a pH of between 6.0 to 8.0, is dispersed into this solution. Then, an aqueous solution that contains a surfactant (W/O/W-emulsion) is added to this W/O-emulsion, and the solvent is removed. The microcapsules that are produced with this process do not show any tendency toward agglomeration. The encapsulation efficiency of the process is approximately 90 to 95%.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a multi-stage process for the production of narrowly-distributed gas-filled microcapsules. In one process step, polymerization of the shell-shaping substance(s) takes place, and in a process step that is separated from it in space and/or time, the formation of the microcapsules by a build-up process takes place. The build-up process is carried out by low-energy defined gas input of the gas that is to be encapsulated with the aid of a porous membrane that has small defined pore openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of morphologically uniform microcapsules that contain peptides, proteins or other water-soluble biologically active substances as active ingredients as well as microcapsules that are produced according to this process with a degree of concentration of between 3 to 30% by weight and a diameter≦8 &mgr;m. According to the invention, biodegradable polymers are dissolved in a halogen-free solvent or solvent mixture, and the buffered active ingredient solution, which has a pH of between 6.0 to 8.0, is dispersed into this solution. Then, an aqueous solution that contains a surface-active substance (W/O/W-emulsion) is added to this W/O-emulsion, and the solvent is removed. The microcapsules that are produced with this process do not show any tendency toward agglomeration. The encapsulation efficiency of the process is approximately 90 to 95%.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic contrast agents consisting of microparticles which consist of amyloses and synthetic biodegradable polymers and a gas and/or a fluid with a boiling point below 60° C., process for the preparation thereof and their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to gaseous microparticles for ultrasonic diagnosis, whose wall material is built up from block copolymers of polyesters of &agr;-, &bgr;- or &ggr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids with linear or star-shaped polyethylene glycols and optionally liquid crystals or whose wall material is built up from polyesters of &agr;-, &bgr;- or &ggr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids and liquid crystals, media that contain these particles for ultrasonic diagnosis, as well as a process for the production of the media and particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic contrast agents comprising microparticles which comprise synthetic biodegradable polymers and a gas and/or a fluid with a boiling point below 60° C., processes for the preparation thereof and their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic contrast agents comprising microparticles which comprise synthetic biodegradable polymer which is a polyalkylcyanoarylate and a gas and/or a fluid with a boiling point below 60.degree. C., processes for the preparation thereof and their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.