Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising a encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle suspended in water. Exemplary encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle has a specific gravity between 0.2 and 1.5. In various embodiments, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle is suspended in aqueous media by an agent compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in which the material is suspended homogeneously. In an exemplary embodiment, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle comprises 5% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising a encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle suspended in water. Exemplary encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle has a specific gravity between 0.2 and 1.5. In various embodiments, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle is suspended in aqueous media by an agent compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in which the material is suspended homogeneously. In an exemplary embodiment, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle comprises 5% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon-based polymer contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising silicon-based polymer oil emulsified in water. Exemplary silicon-based polymer oil has a viscosity between about 50 cSt and 100,000 cSt. In various embodiments, the silicon-based polymer oil is emulsified with a vehicle or dispersing medium compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle in which the material is emulsified in the presence of a surfactant. In an exemplary embodiment, the silicon-based polymer comprises 30% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising a encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle suspended in water. Exemplary encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle has a specific gravity between 0.2 and 1.5. In various embodiments, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle is suspended in aqueous media by an agent compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in which the material is suspended homogeneously. In an exemplary embodiment, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle comprises 5% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides particulate contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation based on particles of low-Z elements selected from microparticles and nanoparticles. In various embodiments, the particles are coated with a material compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. The invention also provides methods for imaging of body parts simultaneously enhanced with contrast media of the invention and with other contrast media of a different type using CT imaging, including dual energy or spectral CT imaging. The invention also provides methods for the digital separation of CT signal produced by the contrast media of the invention from the CT signal produced by other contrast media or bodily tissues, to generate multiple resultant CT images with individual contrast materials subtracted or highlighted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon-based polymer contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising silicon-based polymer oil emulsified in water. Exemplary silicon-based polymer oil has a viscosity between about 50 cSt and 100,000 cSt. In various embodiments, the silicon-based polymer oil is emulsified with a vehicle or dispersing medium compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle in which the material is emulsified in the presence of a surfactant. In an exemplary embodiment, the silicon-based polymer comprises 30% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising a encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle suspended in water. Exemplary encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle has a specific gravity between 0.2 and 1.5. In various embodiments, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle is suspended in aqueous media by an agent compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in which the material is suspended homogeneously. In an exemplary embodiment, the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle comprises 5% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon-based polymer contrast media for use in CT imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising silicon-based polymer oil emulsified in water. Exemplary silicon-based polymer oil has a viscosity between about 50 eSt and 100,000 eSt. In various embodiments, the silicon-based polymer oil is emulsified with a vehicle or dispersing medium compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast material is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle in which the material is emulsified in the presence of a surfactant. In an exemplary embodiment, the silicon-based polymer comprises 30% or more of the weight of the contrast material formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides particulate contrast media for use in CT imaging. The contrast media are based on particles of low-Z elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an enteric contrast medium formulation. An exemplary formulation comprises, (a) an enteric contrast medium comprising essentially water-insoluble particles of a material selected from microparticles and nanoparticles. Exemplary particles comprise a material comprising a plurality of atoms of an element with an atomic number from 6 to 52. In various embodiments, the particles are coated with a material compatible with enteric administration of the formulation to a subject in need of such administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the contrast medium is incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle in which the particles are suspended.

Abstract: The present invention provides macromolecular contrast media for diagnostic imaging modalities.