34 results about "Mr contrast agent" patented technology

The present invention includes compositions, methods and methods for using MRI contrast agent that include a generally nanotubular carrier and an MRI contrast agent disposed within the carrier.

This invention relates to biotechnology, more particularly, to water-soluble polymeric delivery systems for the imaging, evaluation and/or treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Using modern MR imaging techniques, the specific accumulation of macromolecules in arthritic joints in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats is demonstrated. The strong correlation between the uptake and retention of the MR contrast agent labeled polymer with histopathological features of inflammation and local tissue damage demonstrates the practical applications of the macromolecular delivery system of the invention.

Treatment of malignant tumors or other lesions by localized transfer of radio frequency electromagnetic energy into a portion of the body may be achieved by means of spatially localized magnetic resonance (MR). A magnetic field with appropriate spatial distribution and radio frequency tuned to the resonant frequency unique to the tumor treatment volume will cause selective therapeutic energy deposition or heating within the tumor (hyperthermia). The desired magnetic field distribution for the MR treatment volume may be achieved by means of a main static magnetic field with a superimposed magnetic field to define the treatment volume size and shape, positioned by a gradient magnetic field. Treatment may be enhanced by MR contrast agents (such as gadolinium) and pharmacologic agents. The therapy may be achieved by simultaneous resonance throughout an entire selected therapy volume, or successively point by point, or by superimposition of small volumes, including by successively excited points, lines or planes as practiced in prior art magnetic resonance imaging systems, facilitating simultaneous imaging and therapy. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is incorporated in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner wherein the imager modified by the addition of a localizing magnet is used visually or by automated or semi-automated computer image processing to define and localize the treatment volume and the main magnetic field and positioning gradient fields are created by the same magnets used for imaging and the radio frequency apparatus used for Magnetic Resonance Therapy uses the same electronics and probe coil used for MRI.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arterial walls and represents a significant health problem in developed nations. Described is a targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agent for in vivo imaging of early stage atherosclerosis. Early plaque development is characterized by the influx of macrophages, which express a class of surface receptors known collectively as the scavenger receptors (SR). The macrophage scavenger receptor class A (SRA) is highly expressed during early atherosclerosis. The macrophage SRA therefore presents itself as an ideal target for labeling of lesion formation. By coupling a known ligand for the scavenger receptor, dextran sulfate, to a MRI contrast agent, early plaque formation can be detected in vivo. Targeted MR contrast agents offer a unique opportunity to visualize early plaque development in vivo with high sensitivity and resolution, allowing or early diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Described are drug carriers useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided drug release comprising a shell capable of releasing an enclosed biologically active agent as a result of a local stimulus, e.g. energy input, such as heat, wherein the shell encloses a ¹⁹F MR contrast agent. Preferably, the carrier also acts as a contrast enhancement agent for MRI based on the principle of Chemical Exchange-dependent Saturation Transfer (CEST). To this end the shell encloses a cavity that comprises a paramagnetic chemical shift reagent, a pool of proton analytes, and the ¹⁹F contrast agent, and wherein the shell allows diffusion of the proton analytes.

This invention relates to biotechnology, more particularly, to water-soluble polymeric delivery systems for the imaging, evaluation and/or treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Using modern MR imaging techniques, the specific accumulation of macromolecules in arthritic joints in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats is demonstrated. The strong correlation between the uptake and retention of the MR contrast agent labeled polymer with histopathological features of inflammation and local tissue damage demonstrates the practical applications of the macromolecular delivery system of the invention.

Off-resonance imaging uses two complementary contrast agents with the first agent (iron-oxide) particles transfected into cells which provide localized signals. The second agent is detected from a change in the off-resonance signal when present in the cells labeled by the first agent.

In a method and apparatus for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the right coronary artery of a patient, a bolus of MR contrast agent is selected to have a size that will cause the bolus, after injection into the patient, to wash out of right coronary chambers of the heart while still enhancing MR signals from the right coronary artery. The bolus of MR contrast agent is injected into the patient, and MR signals are generated in, and MR signals are obtained from, the patient in a time window after the bolus has washed out of the right coronary chambers and still enhances MR signals in the right coronary artery. An MR image of the right coronary artery is generated using only the MR signals obtained in the time window.

A compound comprising a chemical combination of a photodynamic tetra-pyrrolic compound with a plurality of radionuclide element atoms such that the compound may be used to enhance MR imaging and also be used as a photodynamic compound for use in photodynamic therapy to treat hyperproliferative tissue. The preferred compounds have the structural formula:

where R₁, R₂, R_2a R₃, R_3a R₄, R₅, R_5a R₆, R₇, R_7a, and R₈ cumulatively contain at least two functional groups that will complex or combine with an MR imaging enhancing element or ion. The compound is intended to include such complexes and combinations and includes the use of such compounds for MR imaging and photodynamic therapy treatment of tumors and other hyperproliferative tissue.

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance liver targeting contrast medium and a preparation method thereof, belonging to the technical field of medicine. The magnetic resonance liver targeting contrast medium is a superparamagnetism contrast medium which takes magnetic nanometer iron oxide granules as main components, the surface of a superparamagnetism iron oxide nanoparticle is modified by phospholipids or sugar anhydrides, wherein the phospholipids are taken as a nanometer reactor, the sugar anhydrides are taken as surface modifying materials, and the ratio of the magnetic nanometer iron oxides to the phospholipids is 1-40 to 1-50; besides, the magnetic resonance liver targeting contrast medium also comprises penetration regulators, such as the sugar anhydrides, a stabilizing agent, and the like, and a PH regulator and is prepared by a coprecipitation method under normal temperature and pressure. The invention takes biodegradable and metabolizable superparamagnetism metal oxides used inside bodies as the MR contrast medium, and the metabolizable superparamagnetism metal oxides exist in a dispersing medium which is physiologically accepted in a superparamagnetism granule dispersoid or a superparamagnetism fluid way and can be accumulated on a special targeting organ to be imaged.

The invention relates to the technical field of medicine. At present, a USPIO (Ultra-small Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide) preparation which has high in-vivo target tissue selectivity, high target tissue distribution concentration and high MR (Magnetic Resonance) imaging sensitivity is not reported. A stable and effective invisible nano-liposome preparation is prepared by taking an invisible nano-liposome as a vector, combining MR diagnosis with treatment and carrying USPIO and an anti-tumor medicament simultaneously. Due to the adoption of the invisible nano-liposome injection preparation serving as an MR contrast agent, the in-vivo tissue selectivity of the USPIO can be increased, the sensitivity is increased, and early diagnosis of diseases is facilitated; meanwhile, the invisible nano-liposome injection preparation is taken as a means for evaluating the curative effect of tumor therapy, so that the curative effect of tumor chemotherapy is monitored in real time, overtreatment of a patient is reduced, toxic and side effects are reduced, and the curative effect of tumor chemotherapy is improved.

The invention provides tumor targeting MRI contrast agent and a preparation method thereof. The contrast agent is characterized by comprising a micromolecule gadolinium chelate part and a targeting carrier part, wherein the micromolecule gadolinium chelate part and the targeting carrier part are coupled through a covalent bond, the micromolecule gadolinium chelate part is Gd-DO3A, and the targeting carrier part contains EBP molecules. The contrast agent is good in relaxation enhancement ability, can be combined with EGFR of tumor cells in a targeting mode, has a strong targeting radiography effect and has strong practicability. Furthermore, the imaging time of the contrast agent in a body is prolonged, and the adding amount of the contrast agent is reduced.

The present invention provides a method of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sample, said method comprising: a) administering a hyperpolarised MR contrast agent comprising non-zero nuclear spin nuclei into said sample for fluid dynamic investigations of the vasculature, b) exposing said sample or part of the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in said non-zero nuclear spin nuclei, c) detecting MR signals from said sample using any suitable manipulation method including pulse sequences. The invention also provides novel compounds.

Disclosed is CT or MR contrast agent which comprises a base or carrier scaffold formed of a polyhydroxol compound having a linker to which a Gd-DOTA is covalently bonded. Also disclosed is a method of screening a patient for colon cancer using a CT or MR contrast, which method comprises administering to a patient undergoing screening a compound as above described.