Gas-Evolving Contrast Agent for Lung CT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques for lung assessment, such as SPECT, CT, and MR, face limitations including high radiation exposure, limited spatial resolution, and complexity in inhalation studies, which hinder effective diagnosis of lung function and disease states like pulmonary embolism and COPD.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic contrast composition comprising a carrier fluid and a non-decaying gas-evolving fluid, such as xenon or krypton gas, that evolves into the lungs' airways upon injection, enhancing CT or MR imaging by increasing Hounsfield Unit measurements and providing sufficient gas for imaging without the need for inhalation, using a pressurized container to augment gas concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nuclear medicine imaging (SPECT/PET) is used for lung assessment, then sensitivity and radiation dose efficiency are improved, but spatial resolution and image noise are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the advantages of nuclear medicine (high sensitivity, low radiation dose) with CT imaging (high spatial resolution) by injecting a contrast composition containing dissolved gas that evolves in the lungs. The evolved gas provides both the sensitivity benefit of nuclear medicine tracers and the spatial resolution benefit of CT imaging, eliminating the need to choose between the two modalities.
2Manufacturing precision
If CT imaging with iodine contrast is used for lung assessment, then spatial resolution is improved, but radiation exposure is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contrast agent from iodine-based (high atomic number, high X-ray attenuation) to gas-based (low atomic number, low X-ray attenuation). The dissolved gas evolves in the lungs to provide contrast through density differences rather than atomic number, reducing the required X-ray dose while maintaining spatial resolution.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If MR imaging with gadolinium contrast is used for lung assessment, then radiation exposure is reduced, but signal from lung air and transferability to air is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses evolved gas as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between liquid contrast agents and air. The gas evolves from the liquid contrast composition in the bloodstream, crosses into the lung airways, and provides MR signal. This intermediary approach allows MR imaging of lung airways without requiring direct hydrogen in the air itself.
4Measurement precision
If inhalation studies are used for lung imaging, then lung ventilation assessment is improved, but procedure complexity and equipment requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inhaling contrast gas through the airways (conventional approach), the patent injects liquid contrast composition intravenously that then evolves gas in the lungs. This inverted approach delivers the contrast agent through the bloodstream rather than the airways, simplifying the procedure to a standard IV injection and eliminating the need for specialized inhalation equipment.
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
This approach reduces radiation exposure, improves spatial resolution, and simplifies imaging procedures by allowing gas evolution within the lungs, enabling effective diagnosis of lung conditions with enhanced image quality and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The gas-evolving fluid may have a vapor pressure sufficient to evolve the gas from a circulatory system within a lung of a patient
Implementation Method 2
a concentration of the gas-evolving fluid may be augmented by an increased pressure of the diagnostic contrast composition within a container or a delivery system
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic contrast composition includes a carrier fluid and a non-decaying gas-evolving fluid incorporated in the carrier fluid. The gas-evolving fluid has a vapor pressure sufficient to evolve the gas from a circulatory system within a lung of a patient. The gas-evolving fluid is a composition containing a sufficient quantity of atoms with an atomic number higher than 8 to provide an increased absorption sufficient to increase a Hounsfield Unit measurement in an image in a CT imaging system. The gas-evolving fluid is selected from the group consisting of xenon gas, krypton gas, sulfur hexafluoride, a perfluorocarbon, a brominated perfluorocarbon, and combinations thereof. The carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, saline comprising one or more blood proteins, and saline comprising dissolved lipids.