Bracco International Bv

Pascal Grenier

Michel Schneider

Feng Yan

Marie-Bernadette Barrau

Philippe Bussat

Daniel Bichon

Jerome Puginier

Eva Hybl

J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Puginier

Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Ultrasound contrast agents and methods of making and using them

One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.

Long-lasting aqueous dispersions or suspensions of pressure resistant gas-filled microvesicles and methods for thereof preparation thereof

Long-lasting aqueous dispersions or suspensions of pressure-resistant gas-filled microvesicles and methods for the preparation thereof

Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The laminarized surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the laminarized surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase.

Mixable combination for generating a suspension of stable microbubbles for ultrasonic imaging

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Ambilly, France

Pascal Grenier