Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.

Mark A Walters

W Dean Kirkland

Ernest George Schutt

Mark H Wyzgala

David H Klein

Ronald M Hopkins

John K Hoffman

Steven S Eilenberg

Jack DeFranco

Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of articular disorders comprising the use of fluorocarbons are disclosed. The methods provide for the introduction of a fluorocarbon into an articular region to replace or augment natural synovial fluid. The introduced fluorocarbons, which may be in various forms including liquids, gels or emulsions, provide articular lubrication and cushioning which is effective for the treatment of disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, the methods of the present invention may be used to provide high resolution articular images, reduce articular inflammation and introduce bioactive agents to the articular region.

Use of fluorocarbons for diagnosis and treatment of articular disorders

Methods and apparatus for the conservation of respiratory promoters following their pulmonary introduction are disclosed. In preferred embodiments the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reducing the loss of respiratory promoter, and particularly fluorochemcials, during medical procedures such as liquid ventilation. The disclosed methods comprise the use of vapor retention assemblies, which may be conventional heat and moisture exchangers, to passively retain the respiratory promoter and return it to the lungs in subsequent breaths. Novel vapor retention assemblies comprising fluorophilic exchange elements are also disclosed.

Vapor retention assembly

Methods and apparatus for reducing the loss of respiratory promoters

A composition for use in visualizing tissues comprising a physiologically-acceptable fluorocarbon liquid and a visualizable label such as a chromophore or visible or fluorescent dye associated therewith; preferably the fluorocarbon is in the form of an emulsion and the label has a lipophilic moiety. Also disclosed are methods for labeling and visualizing cells and tissue, such as those of the reticuloendothelial system.

Labeled fluorocarbon compositions

A method for improving fat saturation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by placing a fat saturation enhancing material such as a fluorocarbon, preferably perfluorooctylbromide, perfluorodecylbromide, FC-77, or FC-43, on or around a part of the body of a patient to be scanned with MRI, thereby eliminating the skin-air interface and reducing anatomical imaging problems, wherein the placement of the fat saturation enhancing material may be accomplished by enclosing the fat saturation enhancing material in a container which may also contain the MRI coil.

Method of improving fat saturation during MRI

A method for improving fat saturation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by placing a fat saturation enhancing material such as a fluorocarbon, preferably perfluorooctylbromide, perfluorodecylbromide, FC-77, or FC-43, on or around a part of the body of a patient to be scanned with MRI, thereby eliminating the skin-air interface and reducing anatomical imaging problems, wherein the placement of the fat saturation enhancing material is accomplished by containing the fat saturation enhancing material in a bag.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Mark A Walters