Gas-containing microparticles, agents containing them, their use in medical diagnosis by ultrasonic techniques and methods of producing said particles and agents

摘要

Novel gas-contg. microparticles (MP's) for prodn. of ultrasonic diagnostic prepns., consist of a mixt. of at least one surfactant (I), at least one non-surface active solid (II) and at least one component (III) which is in gaseous form at body temp. The novelty is that (III) is a substance (or mixt.) which is less soluble than air in water. Also claimed are: (a) an ultrasonic contrast agent (USCA), comprising MP in a physiologically compatible liq. suspension medium (SM), opt. contg. conventional additives; and (b) a kit for preparing the USCA, consisting of: a 1st container (C1) of vol. 5-10 ml, filled with SM and having a closure allowing removal of the contents under sterile conditions; and a 2nd container (C2), having a closure allowing addn. of SM under sterile conditions, filled with MP's and gaseous (III), the vol. of (C2) being sufficient to contain all of the SM in (C1). Pref. (I) is a phospholipid, sterol, glycolipid, ethoxylated soya sterol, polyoxyethylene (POE) fatty acid ester, ethoxylated castor oil (or hydrogenated deriv.). POE-polyoxypropylene polymer sucrose ester, POE fatty alcohol ether, (un)satd. 8-30C fatty acid, 14-30C fatty alcohol, mono, di- or triglyceride, fatty acid ester, xyloglyceride and/or POE sorbitan fatty acid ester.