Abstract: This invention relates generally to non-ionic X-ray contrast agents. It further relates to the synthesis of iodixanol. In particular, it relates to alternative dimerisation reagents in the conversion of 5-acetamido-N,N?-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide (“Compound A”) to iodixanol.

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 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 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 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: Oil-in-water emulsions in which the oil phase comprises condensed or dissolved oil-soluble gas/fluid or gas precursor are useful as ultrasound contrast agents. Such products contain insignificant amounts of free gas bubbles or microbubbles in their stored form and exhibit good stability, but may be designed to promote rapid microbubble generation immediately before or upon administration.

Abstract: The invention relates to particulate contrast agents, especially contrast agents for MR imaging having a metal oxide core which is preferably superparamagnetic iron oxide. The particulate contrast agents are provided with a low coating density of a polyelectrolyte coating agent selected from structural polysaccharides and synthetic polymers, especially polyaminoacids. Unlike conventional coated particulates, the new particles have reduced or no effect on cardiovascular parameters, platelet depletion, complement activation and blood coagulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyethylene glycol (PEG) ester surfactant comprising at least one polyethylene glycol moiety and at least one fatty acyl moiety characterized in that said moieties are linked by a linkage incorporating a biodegradable methylene diester unit of formula (I)--CO.O.C(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2).O.CO-- (I)where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may, for example, each be a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group attached through a carbon atom or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together may, for example, form a divalent organic group attached through carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polychelant compound of formula (VII), (wherein each X which may be the same or different is NZ, O or S, at least two Xs being NZ; B is (CR.sup.1 Y) or --N(CR.sup.1.sub.2 Y)--; each Z is a group R.sup.1 or a group CR.sup.1.sub.2 Y, at least one Z being a group CR.sup.1.sub.2 Y; each Y is a group CO.sub.2 H, PO.sub.3 H, SO.sub.3 H, CONR.sup.1.sub.2, CON(OR.sup.1)R.sup.1, CNS or CONR.sup.1 NR.sup.1.sub.2 ; m is 0 or 1 or 2; each n is 2 or 3; q is 0 or 1 when B is (CR.sup.1 Y) and 2 when B is N(CR.sup.1.sub.2 Y); p is an integer having a value of at least 2; each R.sup.1 which may be the same or different is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group optionally substituted by one or more hydroxy or alkoxy groups, or two R.sup.1 groups on ring atoms or in Z groups together represent a linker group L; each L which may be the same or different represents a bond or an organic linker group having a molecular weight of less than 1000 and salts and chelates thereof.

Abstract: A method of crosslinking a crosslinkable protein or carbohydrate substrate to form a crosslinked substrate in which the crosslinking groups are biodegradable. The crosslinking groups may comprise methylene diacrylate and the substrate can be galactose.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain substituted derivatives of aminopolycarboxylic acids and metal chelates thereof. The compounds are particularly suitable for use as diagnostic agent. For example, the compounds can be used as radiodiagnostic agents, detoxification agents and contrast agents for diagnostic imaging processes. In particular, the high relaxivity paramagnetic metal chelates of substituted aminopolycarboxylic acids are especially suited for use as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to contrast agents comprising gas-containing or gas-generating polymer microparticles and/or microballoons, in which the polymer is a biodegradable polymer containing units of formula -?--(O).sub.m --CO--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2)--O--CO--(O).sub.n --!- . R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent hydrogen or a carbon-attached monovalent organic group, or together form a carbon-attached divalent organic group, and m and n are each independently zero or one. The contrast agents may be used in diagnostic applications such as ultrasound and MR imaging.

Abstract: Ultrasound contrast agents comprising a microbubble-generating suspension of a microparticulate X-ray contrast agent in a liquid carrier medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from: (i) saturated or unsaturated fatty acyl groups, preferably having from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, more preferably of a type found in nature; or(ii) groups of formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from hydrogen atoms, C.sub.1-4 alkyl groups and aryl groups, preferably C.sub.6-10 aryl groups; n represents the integers 0 or 1; A represents either a chemical bond or a straight or branched C.sub.1-6 alkylene chain and R.sup.6 is a triiodinated phenyl group which may also carry other substituents. The invention also relates to X-ray contrast media containing these compounds, as well as methods of enhancing X-ray images of a human subject wherein the contrast media are administered to the subject prior to imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process for the preparation of a biodegradable polymer comprising diester units of the formula (III)--?(O)--CO--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2)--O--CO--(O)--R.sup.3 !--;where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents a hydrogen atom or a carbon-attached monovalent organic group or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a carbon-attached divalent organic group; m and n, which may be the same or different, are 0 or 1; and R.sup.3 is a carbon-attached divalent organic grouping.

Abstract: Contrast agents comprising gas-containing or gas-generating polymer microparticles and/or microballoons, in which the polymer is a biodegradable polymer containing units of formula--(O).sub.m --CO--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2)--O--CO--(O).sub.n --(wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent hydrogen or a carbon-attached monovalent organic group or together form a carbon-attached divalent organic group, and m and n are each independently zero or one) may be used in diagnostic applications such as ultrasound and MR imaging.

Abstract: Contrast agents comprising gas-containing or gas-generating polymer microparticles and/or microballoons, in which the polymer is a biodegradable polymer containing units of formula--(O).sub.m --CO--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2)--O--CO--(O).sub.n --(wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent hydrogen or a carbon-attached monovalent organic group or together form a carbon-attached divalent organic group, and m and n are each independently zero or one) may be used in diagnostic applications such as ultrasound and MR imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound contrast agents comprising a microbubble-generating suspension of a microparticulate X-ray contrast agent in a liquid carrier medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-crosslinked non-polypeptide polymers containing biodegradable lipophilic side chains incorporating methylene diester units of the formula --[--CO--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2)--O--CO--]--, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents a hydrogen atom or a carbon-attached monovalent organic group or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a carbon-attached divalent organic group. The lipophilic moieties are biodegradatively cleavable to yield a water-soluble polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to ultrasound contrast agents in the form of microparticles comprising a biotolerable matrix (e.g. of a carbohydrate or an X-ray contrast agent) in association with a gas or a precursor therefor. The contrast agents are stabilized to enhance their in vivo stability and/or echogenicity by covalently modifying the structure of the matrix, e.g. to introduce crosslinking groups or to attach lipophilic groups and/or molecules. The covalent moieties may include biodegradable linkages to assist rapid subsequent elimination of the contrast agents from the system.