Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of imaging of an animate human or non-human animal body, which method comprises: administering parenterally to said body a particulate material comprising a matrix or membrane material and at least one contrast generating species, which matrix or membrane material is responsive to a pre-selected physiological parameter whereby to alter the contrast efficacy of said species in response to a change in the value of said parameter; generating image data of at least part of said body in which said species is present; and generating therefrom a signal indicative of the value or variation of said parameter in said part of said body. The invention also relates to contrast media for imaging a physiological parameter.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a water soluble unsaturated fatty acid salt from a crude composition comprising at least one non-water soluble or sparingly water soluble unsaturated fatty acid or salt thereof, said process comprising: adding to said crude composition in the presence of water at least one amino alcohol compound so as to form a water soluble amino alcohol salt of said acid or salt; separating an aqueous phase; and optionally isolating said salt from said aqueous phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal complex compounds, contrast agents for MRI and in vivo NMR markers for NMR spectroscopy comprising said metal complex compounds and methods for in vivo determination of physiological parameters, e.g. enzyme activity or pH using said metal complex compounds.

Abstract: Separation of target material from a liquid sample is achieved by coupling the target to targetable encapsulated gas microbubbles, allowing the microbubbles and coupled target to float to the surface of the sample to form a floating microbubble/target layer, and separating this layer from the sample. In a positive separation process the microbubbles are then removed from the target, e.g. by bursting. In a negative separation process target-free sample material is recovered following separation of the floating layer. The method may also be used diagnostically to detect the presence of a disease marker in a sample. Novel separation apparatus is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides contrast agents for use in diagnostic ultrasound studies comprising microbubbles of gas or a gas precursor encapsulated by non-proteinaceous crosslinked or polymerised amphiphilic moieties.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound contrast agents comprising vesicles comprising a protein capable of formation of gas-containing vesicles, wherein the vesicles contain gas which comprises sulphur hexafluoride or a low molecular weight fluorinated hydrocarbon. These contrast agents exhibit stability in vivo upon administration so as to permit ultrasound visualization while allowing rapid subsequent elimination from the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method, in particular to a MRI method enabling early detection of myocardial ischemia and to compounds for use as MR contrast agents in the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of particulate materials as contrast agents in in vivo light imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound contrast agents comprising vesicles comprising a protein capable of formation of gas-containing vesicles, wherein the vesicles contain gas which comprises sulphur hexafluoride or a low molecular weight fluorinated hydrocarbon. These contrast agents exhibit stability in vivo upon administration so as to permit ultrasound visualization while allowing rapid subsequent elimination from the system.

Abstract: Microbubble dispersions stabilised by phospholipids predominantly comprising molecules which individually have an overall net charge exhibit advantageous stability, rendering them useful as efficacious contrast agents. An improved process for preparing microbubble-containing contrast agents is also disclosed, this comprising lyophilising an aqueous dispersion of gas microbubbles stabilised by one or more membrane-forming lipids to yield a dried product which may be reconstituted in an injectable carrier liquid to generate a microbubble-containing contrast agent.

Abstract: Contrast agents comprising microbubble-generating carbohydrate microparticles having a surfactant admixed within the microparticulate structure, with the proviso that the surfactant is not a C10-20 fatty acid, are disclosed. Processes for preparing contrast agents also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of imaging of an animate human or non-human animal body, which method comprises: administering parenterally to said body a particulate material comprising a matrix or membrane material and at least one contrast generating species, which matrix or membrane material is responsive to a pre-selected physiological parameter whereby to alter the contrast efficacy of said species in response to a change in the value of said parameter; generating image data of at least part of said body in which said species is present; and generating therefrom a signal indicative of the value or variation of said parameter in said part of said body. The invention also relates to contrast media for imaging a physioloogical parameter.

Abstract: Ultrasonic visualisation of a suject, particularly of perfusion in the myocardium and other tissues, is performed using novel gas-containing contrast agent preparations which promote controllable and temporary growth of the gas phase in vivo following administration and can therefore act as deposited perfusion tracers. The preparations include a coadministerable composition comprising a diffusible component capable of inward diffusion into the dispersed gas phase to promote temporary growth thereof. In cardiac perfusion imaging the preparations may advantageously be coadministered with vasodilator drugs such as adenosine in order to enhance the differences in return signal intensity from normal and hypoperfused myocardial tissue respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal complex compounds, contrast agents for MRI and in vivo NMR markers for NMR spectroscopy comprising said metal complex compounds and methods for in vivo determination of physiological parameters, e.g. enzyme activity or pH using said metal complex compounds.

Abstract: Contrast agents comprising microbubble-generating carbohydrate microparticles having a surfactant admixed within the microparticulate structure, with the proviso that the surfactant is not a C10-20 fatty acid, are disclosed. Processes for preparing contrast agents also are disclosed.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: A combined preparation comprising:

Abstract: A combined preparation comprising: i) an ultrasound contrast agent capable of accumulation in tissue microvasculature; and ii) a pharamacologically effective amount of a vasodilator drug may be used in perfusion imaging, especially of the myocardium. The contrast agent accumulates in tissue in concentrations related to the regional rate of tissue perfusion, and the vasodilator drug enhances distinction between normally perfused and underperfused tissue.

Abstract: Ultrasonic visualisation of a suject, particularly of perfusion in the myocardium and other tissues, is performed using novel gas-containing contrast agent preparations which promote controllable and temporary growth of the gas phase in vivo following administration and can therefore act as deposited perfusion tracers. The preparations include a coadministerable composition comprising a diffusible component capable of inward diffusion into the dispersed gas phase to promote temporary growth thereof. In cardiac perfusion imaging the preparations may advantageously be coadministered with vasodilator drugs such as adenosine in order to enhance the differences in return signal intensity from normal and hypoperfused myocardial tissue respectively.

Abstract: Ultrasonic visualisation of a subject, particularly of perfusion in the myocardium and other tissues, is performed using novel gas-containing contrast agent preparations which promote controllable and temporary growth of the gas phase in vivo following administration and can therefore act as deposited perfusion tracers. The preparations comprise an injectable aqueous medium comprising dispersed gas and an injectable oil-in-water emulsion in which the oil phase comprises a diffusible component capable of diffusion in vivo into the dispersed gas to promote temporary growth thereof, such that material present at the surfaces of the dispersed gas phase and material present at the surfaces of the dispersed oil phase have affinity for each other, e.g. as a result of having opposite charges.