Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel triaryl methyl free radicals and their use as image enhancing agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as to contrast media containing such radicals and to the use of such radicals and their non-radical precursors in the manufacture of MRI contrast media.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging which relies on ex vivo dynamic nuclear polarisation of an MR imaging agent.

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: The invention provides iodinated bis phenyl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula (I) (wherein each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety may be the same or different; each denotes a hydrogen or iodine atom or a group M, two or three non-adjacent R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting iodine atoms and one, two or three R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting M groups; X denotes a group providing a 1, 2 or 3 atom chain linking the two C.sub.6 R.sub.5 groups, preferably where X is or contains in the bridging chain a carbonyloxy group each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 group being a triodophenyl group or a group in which each R is other than hydrogen; and each M is independently a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety, M preferably being a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety comprising a monohydroxy- or polyhydroxy-alkyl group) and isomers, especially stereoisomers and rotamers, thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides iodinated bis phenyl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula I ##STR1## (wherein each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moeity may be the same or different; each R denotes a hydrogen or iodine atom or a group M, two or three non-adjacent R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting iodine atoms and one, two or three R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting M groups;X denotes a group providing a 1, 2 or 3 atom chain linking the two C.sub.6 R.sub.5 groups, preferably where X is or contains in the bridging chain a carbonyloxy group each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 group being a triodophenyl group or a group in which each R is other than hydrogen; and each M is independently a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety, M preferably being a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety comprising a monohydroxy- or polyhydroxy-alkyl group) and isomers, especially stereoisomers and rotamers, thereof.

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: The present invention relates to a method of generating an electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance image of a sample which comprises introducing into the sample a magnetic resonance signal enhancing amount of a free radical and generating an enhanced electron spin resonance image of the sample. The method comprises using as the free radical an inert triarylmethyl free radical, wherein each aryl moiety of said triarylmethyl radical, which may be identical or different, comprises an optionally substituted 6-membered carbocyclic or thienyl ring. The invention also relates to the use of trityls in ESR imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel triaryl methyl free radicals and their use as image enhancing agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as to contrast media containing such radicals and to the use of such radicals and their non-radical precursors in the manufacture of MRI contrast media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of persistent free radicals, in particular persistent free radicals having a carbon-based .pi.-bonded electronic system available for delocalization of the unpaired electrons as image enhancing agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in particular electron spin resonance enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ESREMRI). The invention also relates to contrast media containing such radicals and to the use of such radicals and their non-radical precursors in the manufacture of MRI and ESREMRI contrast media.

Abstract: The invention provides novel persistent free radicals useful in Overhauser MRI being triarylmethyl radicals having as at least one aryl group a group of formula ##STR1## (wherein each X which may be the same or different is an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group CO or S(O).sub.n, (where n is 1 to 3) with the proviso that at least one group X is a sulphur atom or a S(O).sub.n group; R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or group of formula --M, --XM, --X--Ar.sup.2, or --Ar.sup.2 where M is a water solubilizing group, and Ar.sup.2 represents a 5-10 membered aromatic ring optionally substituted by a water solubilizing group M; and each of the groups R.sup.7, which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group or a water solubilizing group M, or two groups R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a persistent .pi.-system free radical for the manufacture of a contrast medium for use in magnetic resonance imaging, wherein the electron delocalising .pi.-system of said radical comprises at least one homo or heterocyclic ring, said radical being other than the chloranil semiquinone anion radical or a trityl radical. Also provided are magnetic resonance imaging contrast media containing and methods using such radicals.