Encapsulated Gas Contrast Particles for Differentiated CT Bowel Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enteric contrast materials for CT imaging cannot be differentiated from each other or from other radiodense structures, leading to clinical errors and delays, and they also pose toxicity and complications, limiting their effectiveness in diagnosing bowel conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particles with a silicon dioxide shell, which can be formulated to provide negative, neutral, or positive contrast at CT imaging, allowing for digital conversion of signal types and clear differentiation from iodinated and barium-based contrast materials using dual energy or spectral CT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If positive enteric contrast material (iodine or barium-based) is used to mark bowel lumen with bright signal, then detection of extra-enteric fluid collections and masses is improved, but intravenous contrast CT findings are obscured and differentiation from other radiodense structures becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of X-ray attenuation by using gas (low attenuation) instead of iodine or barium (high attenuation) as the contrast mechanism. This parameter change allows the bowel lumen to be marked without the high radiodensity that obscures intravenous contrast findings, thereby resolving the contradiction between detecting extra-enteric collections and preserving IV contrast information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining gas (for low attenuation) with an encapsulating shell material (for structural integrity and controlled attenuation). This composite structure enables the contrast material to provide bowel lumen marking while maintaining distinguishability from other radiodense structures and preserving intravenous contrast visibility.
2Measurement precision
If iodine or barium-based contrast materials are used for bowel marking, then bowel lumen is clearly visualized, but differentiation from other radiodense structures (shrapnel, calcifications, surgical staples) becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the attenuation parameter from high (iodine/barium) to low (gas), creating a distinct radiodensity profile that is easily differentiated from other radiodense structures such as shrapnel, calcifications, and surgical staples, while still providing clear bowel lumen visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using an encapsulating shell with specific material properties around the gas core. This shell provides localized radiodensity control, allowing the contrast material to be differentiated from other radiodense structures while maintaining effective bowel marking.
3Measurement precision
If positive enteric contrast material is used to improve bowel visualization, then extra-enteric pathology detection is enhanced, but clinical errors and delays occur due to inability to distinguish contrast material types
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the attenuation parameter to low (using gas), the patent creates a contrast material with a unique radiodensity signature that prevents misinterpretation and diagnostic errors, thereby enhancing both bowel visualization and diagnostic reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulating shell acts as an intermediary that mediates between the gas core and the surrounding environment. This shell provides structural stability and controls the interaction with X-rays, enabling reliable differentiation from other materials while maintaining effective bowel lumen marking.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous and accurate diagnosis of bowel conditions by providing clear differentiation of contrast materials, reducing radiation dose, and minimizing protocol errors, thereby enhancing diagnostic confidence and safety.
Implementation Method 1
These agents utilize materials with high X-ray attenuation properties... materials with low X-ray attenuation properties... give signal that is lower than that of water
Data Source
AI summary
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. The invention also provides methods for imaging of the abdomen by dual energy CT or spectral CT contemporaneously with the delivery of the encapsulated gas or partial vacuum particle contrast material into the bowel lumen with or without the delivery of a second complementary contrast material into the blood vessels or other body compartments. 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 the contrast medium of the invention subtracted or highlighted.