Salutar, Inc.

Dilip M Worah

Steven C Quay

Scott M Rocklage

Karl F Kraft

Magnetic resonance imaging contrast media used to affect the relaxation times of atoms in body tissues undergoing NMR diagnosis are disclosed. Such media comprise (1) a paramagnetic, physiologically compatible complex of (a) a chelant consisting of a N-carboxy methylated tetraazacyclododecane, and (b) a paramagnetic ion of a lanthanide element of atomic numbers 59-70, or of a transition metal of atomic numbers 21-29, 42 or 44, or a physiologically compatible salt of such a complex, and (2) a toxicity-reducing amount of labile calcium ions. The labile calcium ions can be derived from a source other than a salt of said chelant, e.g. an inorganic or organic calcium salt. NMR image-enhancing compositions comprising NMR image-enhancing effective amounts of said contrast media and pharmaceutically acceptable diluents are also disclosed.

Composition of a n-carboxymethylated tetraazacyclododecane chelating

In a method of imaging body tissue in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent for effecting the relaxation times of atoms in body tissues undergoing NMR diagnosis, whereby image contrast is enhanced, said agent comprising an amount, effective to effect such relaxation times, of a paramagnetic, physiologically compatible salt of a physiologically compatible chelate complex of an ion of a lanthanide element of atomic numbers 57-70, or of a transition metal of atomic numbers 21-29, 42, or 44; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and subjecting the patient to NMR tomography, the improvement wherein said salt of said chelate complex is the calcium or magnesium salt. Such salts are new as are some of the complexing chelates.

NMR imaging with paramagnetic polyvalent metal salts of

In the NMR imaging of a subject comprising administering to such subject a composition containing an image-modifying effective amount of an image enhancer, permitting the enhancer to move through the subject, and after a time interval taking an NMR image of the subject, the improvement which comprises employing as said enhancer a complex of a paramagnetic polyvalent metal and a partial amide and/or ester of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. The complexes are new.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Dilip M Worah