Abstract: Composition for diagnostic or therapeutic use which comprises an assembly comprising an active agent. The assembly comprises a liposome and a plurality of micellar components associated thereto, said micellar components being associated to the outer surface of the envelope of said liposome through a substantially electrostatic interaction, When an active compound is incorporated into the micelles, a substantial amount of said active compound can be linked to a singe liposome. Furthermore, the presence of the outer micellar layer allows to increase the residence time of said liposome in the blood stream.

Abstract: Composition for diagnostic or therapeutic use which comprises an assembly comprising an active agent. The assembly comprises a liposome and a plurality of micellar components associated thereto, said micellar components being associated to the outer surface of the envelope of said liposome through a substantially electrostatic interaction. When an active compound is incorporated into the micelles, a substantial amount of said active compound can be linked to a singe liposome. Furthermore, the presence of the outer micellar layer allows to increase the residence time of said liposome in the blood stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to injectable compositions for increasing the image contrast between specific organ areas in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of human and animal patients. This enables better differentiation of neighboring tissue portions. Methods of the preparation of such compositions and their use in the MRI of living subjects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel compounds of formula 1

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)

Abstract: The invention provides, as contrast signal generators in MR imaging of the digestive tract, paramagnetic metal chelates of novel acrylic compounds of formula C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2).dbd.CR.sup.3 --CO--Z--A (1) and/or C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2).dbd.CR.sup.3 --O--Z--A--Z--CO--CR.sup.3 .dbd.C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2) (2) in monomer, oligomer, homopolymer and copolymer forms, in which the R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represent H or saturated or unsaturated C.sub.1-10 aliphatic radicals optionally substituted by one or more OH groups; Z is a covalent bond or a linker spacer and A is a moiety capable of fixing a paramagnetic metal by chelation. Compounds of type (1) useful in the present invention are, for instance the polyalkylene-aminopolycaboxylic acids such as NTA, EDTA, DTPA, DOTA and like structures, possibly involving additional substituents; an example is the compound BOPTA which is a DTPA derivative carrying a benzyloxypropyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of hyperpolarized gases to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of living subjects. The invention also concerns administrable compositions, formulations, methods of making the compositions and formulations and contrast agents involving hyperpolarized gases, as well as their use in MRI.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry deposit as a precursor to liposome vesicles, the precursor being a three dimensional expanded structure with bulk density between 0.01 and 0.001 g/cm.sup.3. The invention also concerns a method of making liposome vesicles with an enhanced entrapment capacity by dissolving one or more film forming lipids in at least one organic solvent to form a solution in a reaction vessel, evaporating the solvent to form an expanded three dimensional porous lipid structure, contacting the lipid deposit with an aqueous carrier phase, and producing liposome vesicles entrapping the carrier phase as well as an apparatus comprising an array of tubing or an inert packing which serves as a material support or a matrix surface for the deposition of lipids produced according to the method.

Abstract: Administrable factors or compositions to be directed to specific sites in the body of human and animal patients which comprise a medically and/or diagnostically effective moiety (I) and, coupled thereto by means of a linker (L), a substance (II) having specific affinity for specific sites in the organism.Linker "L" has a structure schematized by the formula:Y(W-Z-R).sub.m, m being 1, 2, or 4wherein the portion YW is an amphiphile, i.e. a segment comprised of a hydrophobic-lipophilic sequence "Y" and a hydrophilic-lipophobic sequence "W" connected covalently together, Z is a chemical bond or an intermediate connector sequence and R is a reactive function for effecting coupling with selected substances (II).

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry deposit as a precursor to liposome vesicles, the precursor being a three dimensional expanded structure with bulk density between 0.01 and 0.001 g/cm.sup.3. The invention also concerns a method of making liposome vesicles with an enhanced entrapment capacity by dissolving one or more film forming lipids in at least one organic solvent to form a solution in a reaction vessel, evaporating the solvent to form an expanded three dimensional porous lipid structure, contacting the lipid deposit with an aqueous carrier phase, and producing liposome vesicles entrapping the carrier phase as well as an apparatus comprising an array of tubing or an inert packing which serves as a material support or a matrix surface for the deposition of lipids produced according to the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-ionic triiodo aromatic compounds and compositions comprising triiodo aromatic polymers useful for X-ray imaging of gastro-intestinal tract. Disclosed compounds are acrylic acid esters of triiodobenzenes with a different degree of reticulation and their polymers/homopolymers. A method of making the polymers, method of making X-ray contrast agents using the polymers and use of the contrast agents is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns NMR imaging contrast compositions comprising magnetically responsive species coupled to physiologically acceptable amphipatic organic substrate materials in the form of mixed micelles suspended or dispersed in a physiologically acceptable aqueous liquid carrier. The compositions are particularly useful for diagnostic investigations of the blood-pool. The invention also concerns the preparation of the mixed micelles, as well as of injectable compositions containing the mixed micelles as contrast agents for MRI purpose.Once injected, the mixed micelles of the compositions behave as imaging contrast enhancers, e.g. they will improve the quality and resolution of the electronically processed images obtained during MRI examinations of the circulation and/or circulation targeted organs.

Abstract: Suspensions of either echogenic or magnetic particles in aqueous bioadhesive carriers effectively improve imaging by echography, respectively NMRI, of the digestive tract. Affinity of the compositions for the gastric mucosa can be adapted to the needs by appropriately selecting the carrier in function to inherent bioadhesive capacity: this technique leads to improved visualization of selected portions of the lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry deposit as a precursor to liposome vesicles, the precursor being a three dimensional expanded structure with bulk density between 0.01 and 0.001 g/cm.sup.3. The invention also concerns a method of making liposome vesicles with an enhanced entrapment capacity by dissolving one or more film forming lipids in at least one organic solvent to form a solution in a reaction vessel, evaporating the solvent to form an expanded three dimensional porous lipid structure, contacting the lipid deposit with an aqueous carrier phase, and producing liposome vesicles entrapping the carrier phase as well as an apparatus comprising an array of tubing or an inert packing which serves as a material support or a matrix surface for the deposition of lipids produced according to the method.

Abstract: Suspensions of either echogenic or magnetic particles in aqueous bioadhesive carriers effectively improve imaging by echography, respectively NMRI, of the digestive tract. Affinity of the compositions for the gastric mucosa can be adapted to the needs by appropriately selecting the carrier in function to inherent bioadhesive capacity: this technique leads to improved visualization of selected portions of the lumen.

Abstract: Suspensions of either echogenic or magnetic particles in aqueous bioadhesive carriers effectively improve imaging by echography, respectively NMRI, of the digestive tract. Affinity of the compositions for the gastric mucosa can be adapted to the needs by appropriately selecting the carrier in function to inherent bioadhesive capacity: this technique leads to improved visualization of selected portions of the lumen.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Injectable aqueous composition intended for opacifying certain organs with a view to examination by X-rays. This composition is based on liposomes containing, encapsulated thereein, an aqueous solution of an iodinated opacifying agent. The ratio between the weight of iodine encapsulated by the liposomes and the weight of the lipids from which their membrane is formed is not lower than 1.5 mg/mg.