Abstract: The present invention relates to contrast agents comprising microbubble-generating carbohydrate particles having a surfactant admixed within the microparticulate structure, with the proviso that the surfactant is not a saturated C.sub.10-20 fatty acid. The contrast agents exhibit useful levels of contrast efficiency and/or stability and may be used in diagnostic applications such as ultrasound and MR imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to diagnostic ultrasound contrast agents comprising vesicles comprising an amphiphilic phospholipid material capable of formation of gas-containing vesicles wherein the vesicles contain gas which comprises sulphur hexafluoride. The contrast agents and vesicles exhibit good stability in vivo upon administration and may if desired incorporate biodegradable linkages so as to possess particularly desired levels of biodegradability.

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: 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: 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 paramagnetic compounds comprising a paramagnetic metal species chelated by a chelating moiety bound by an amide group to a linker group itself bound by an ester group to a macromolecule, wherein said linker group provides a carbon chain of at least 2 atoms between said amide group and said ester group. The novel compounds are particularly suitable as contrast agents, e.g. in magnetic resonance imaging.

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.