U.S. patent application number 10/213533 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-16 for methods for diagnostic imaging by regulating the administration rate of contrast agent.
Invention is credited to Fritz, Thomas A., Matsunaga, Terry, Ramaswami, Varadarajan, Unger, Evan C..
Application Number | 20030012735 10/213533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24672945 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030012735 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Unger, Evan C. ; et
al. |
January 16, 2003 |
Methods for diagnostic imaging by regulating the administration
rate of contrast agent
Abstract
Methods for providing an image of an internal region of a
patient. Embodiments of the methods involve administering to the
patient a contrast agent which comprises a vesicle composition
comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous precursor and
vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers. The patient is
scanned using diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, to obtain a
visible image of the region. The contrast agent is administered to
the patient at a rate to substantially eliminate diagnostic
artifacts in the image. The methods are particularly useful for
diagnosing the presence of any diseased tissue in the patient.
Inventors: |
Unger, Evan C.; (Tucson,
AZ) ; Matsunaga, Terry; (Tucson, AZ) ; Fritz,
Thomas A.; (Tucson, AZ) ; Ramaswami, Varadarajan;
(Tucson, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
24672945 |
Appl. No.: |
10/213533 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10213533 |
Aug 6, 2002 |
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09290324 |
Apr 12, 1999 |
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09290324 |
Apr 12, 1999 |
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08666129 |
Jun 19, 1996 |
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6033645 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/9.321 ;
382/128; 424/9.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 977/928 20130101;
Y10S 977/929 20130101; Y10S 977/801 20130101; Y10S 977/927
20130101; A61K 49/223 20130101; Y10S 977/93 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/9.321 ;
424/9.51; 382/128 |
International
Class: |
A61K 049/00; G06K
009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing an image of an internal region of a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous
precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers, and
(ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a
visible image of the region, wherein said vesicle composition is
administered to the patient at a rate which substantially
eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicles comprise
lipids.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said vesicle composition
comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting of micelles
and liposomes.
4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said lipids comprise
phospholipids.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said phospholipids are
selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylethanolamin- e and phosphatidic acid.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said phosphatidylcholine
is selected from the group consisting of
dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine,
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and
distearoylphosphatidylcholine.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said phosphatidylcholine
comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
8. A method according to claim 5 wherein said
phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine- ,
dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine,
N-succinyldioleoylphosphatidylethanola- mine and
1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said
phosphatidylethanolamine comprises
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine.
10. A method according to claim 5 wherein said phosphatidic acid
comprises dipalmitolylphosphatidic acid.
11. A method according to claim 2 wherein said lipid further
comprises a polymer.
12. A contrast agent according to claim 11 wherein said polymer
comprises a hydrophilic polymer.
13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said hydrophilic polymer
comprises polyethylene glycol.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicles comprise
proteins.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said proteins comprise
albumin.
16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicles comprise
polymers.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said polymers comprise
synthetic polymers or copolymers which are prepared from monomers
selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic
acid, ethyleneimine, crotonic acid, acrylamide, ethyl acrylate,
methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, lactic acid,
glycolic acid, .epsilon.-caprolactone, acrolein, cyanoacrylate,
bisphenol A, epichlorhydrin, hydroxyalkylacrylates, siloxane,
dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol,
hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted
methacrylamides, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2,4-pentadiene-1-ol, vinyl
acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene, p-amino-styrene,
p-aminobenzylstyrene, sodium styrene sulfonate, sodium
2-sulfoxyethyl-methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, aminoethyl
methacrylates and 2-methacryloyloxytrimethyl-ammonium chloride.
18. A method according to claim 16 wherein said polymers comprise
synthetic polymers or copolymers selected from the group consisting
of polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid,
polymethylmethacrylate, polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane,
polylactic acid, poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), epoxy resin,
poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene glycol), polyamide,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethylmethacrylate and
polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said polymers comprise
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer.
20. A method according to claim 1 wherein said gas comprises a
fluorinated gas.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said fluorinated gas is
selected from the group consisting of a perfluorocarbon, sulfur
hexafluoride and heptafluoropropane.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein said fluorinated gas
comprises a perfluorocarbon.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said perfluorocarbon gas
is selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane,
perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane and
perfluorocyclobutane.
24. A method according to claim 1 wherein said gaseous precursor
has a boiling point of greater than about 37.degree. C.
25. A method according to claim 24 wherein said gaseous precursor
comprises a fluorinated compound.
26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said fluorinated
compound comprises a perfluorocarbon.
27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said perfluorocarbon is
selected from the group consisting of perfluoropentane and
perfluorohexane.
28. A method according to claim 1 wherein said diagnostic imaging
is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound imaging and
computed tomography imaging.
29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said diagnostic imaging
comprises ultrasound imaging.
30. A method according to claim 1 wherein said internal region
comprises the heart region.
31. A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered to the patient at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.6 to less than about 8.times.10.sup.6
vesicles/Kg-sec.
32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to about
7.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
33. A method according to claim 32 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 1.5.times.10.sup.6 to about
6.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
34. A method according to claim 33 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 2.times.10.sup.6 to about
5.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
35. A method according to claim 34 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 2.5.times.10.sup.6 to about
5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
36. A method according to claim 35 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 3.times.10.sup.6 to about
4.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
37. A method according to claim 1 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered to the patient at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
38. A method according to claim 37 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 3.times.10.sup.-6 to about
3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
39. A method according to claim 38 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 4.times.10.sup.-6 to about
2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
40. A method according to claim 39 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 8.times.10.sup.-6 to about
2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
41. A method according to claim 40 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 1.times.10.sup.-5 to about
1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
42. A method according to claim 41 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 4.times.10.sup.-5 to about
1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
43. A method according to claim 42 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 8.times.10.sup.-5 to less
than about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
44. A method according to claim 43 wherein said vesicle composition
is administered at a rate of from about 1.times.10.sup.-4 to about
9.times.10.sup.-4 cc gas/Kg-sec.
45. A method for providing an image of an internal region of a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a lipid
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or
gaseous precursor, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic
imaging to obtain a visible image of the region, wherein said lipid
composition is administered to the patient at a rate which
substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image.
46. A method according to claim 43 wherein said lipid comprises a
phospholipid.
47. A method according to claim 46 wherein said phospholipid is
selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylethanolamin- e and phosphatidic acid.
48. A method according to claim 47 wherein said lipid composition
comprises a vesicle composition.
49. A method according to claim 48 wherein said vesicle composition
comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting of micelles
and liposomes.
50. A method according to claim 45 wherein said diagnostic imaging
is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound imaging and
computed tomography imaging.
51. A method according to claim 50 wherein said diagnostic imaging
comprises ultrasound imaging.
52. A method according to claim 45 wherein said lipid composition
is administered to the patient at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
53. A method according to claim 52 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 3.times.10.sup.-6 to about
3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
54. A method according to claim 53 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 4.times.10.sup.-6 to about
2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
55. A method according to claim 54 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 8.times.10.sup.-6 to about
2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
56. A method according to claim 55 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 1.times.10.sup.-5 to about
1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
57. A method according to claim 56 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 4.times.10.sup.-5 to about
1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
58. A method according to claim 57 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 8.times.10.sup.-5 to less
than about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
59. A method according to claim 58 wherein said lipid composition
is administered at a rate of from about 1.times.10.sup.-4 to about
9.times.10.sup.-4 cc gas/Kg-sec.
60. A method for providing an image of an internal region of a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous
precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers,
(ii) flushing said composition, and (iii) scanning the patient
using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of the region,
wherein said composition is flushed at a rate which substantially
eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image.
61. A method accroding to claim 60 wherein said vesicles comprise
lipids.
62. A method according to claim 60 wherein said lipids comprise
phospholipids.
63. A method according to claim 62 wherein said phospholipids are
selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylethanolamin- e and phosphatidic acid.
64. A method according to claim 63 wherein said phosphatidylcholine
is selected from the group consisting of
dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine,
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and
distearoylphosphatidylcholine.
65. A method according to claim 64 wherein said phosphatidylcholine
comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
66. A method according to claim 63 wherein said
phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolam- ine,
dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine,
N-succinyldioleoylphosphatidylethan- olamine and
1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine.
67. A method according to claim 66 wherein said
phosphatidylethanolamine comprises
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine.
68. A method according to claim 63 wherein said phosphatidic acid
comprises dipalmitolylphosphatidic acid.
69. A method according to claim 60 wherein said vesicles comprise
proteins.
70. A method according to claim 69 wherein said proteins comprise
albumin.
71. A method according to claim 60 wherein said vesicles comprise
polymers.
72. A method according to claim 71 wherein said polymers comprise
synthetic polymers or copolymers which are prepared from monomers
selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic
acid, ethyleneimine, crotonic acid, acrylamide, ethyl acrylate,
methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, lactic acid,
glycolic acid, .epsilon.-caprolactone, acrolein, cyanoacrylate,
bisphenol A, epichlorhydrin, hydroxyalkylacrylates, siloxane,
dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol,
hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted
methacrylamides, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2,4-pentadiene-1-ol, vinyl
acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene, p-amino-styrene,
p-aminobenzylstyrene, sodium styrene sulfonate, sodium
2-sulfoxyethyl-methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, aminoethyl
methacrylates and 2-methacryloyloxytrimethyl-ammonium chloride.
73. A method according to claim 71 wherein said polymers comprise
synthetic polymers or copolymers selected from the group consisting
of polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid,
polymethylmethacrylate, polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane,
polylactic acid, poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), epoxy resin,
poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene glycol), polyamide,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethylmethacrylate and
polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile.
74. A method according to claim 73 wherein said polymers comprise
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer.
75. A method according to claim 60 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed with a saline solution.
76. A method according to claim 60 wherein said gas comprises a
fluorinated gas.
77. A method according to claim 76 wherein said fluorinated gas is
selected from the group consisting of a perfluorocarbon gas, sulfur
hexafluoride and heptafluoropropane.
78. A method according to claim 77 wherein said fluorinated gas
comprises a perfluorocarbon.
79. A method according to claim 78 wherein said perfluorocarbon gas
is selected from the group consisting of perfluoromethane,
perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane and
perfluorocyclobutane.
80. A method according to claim 60 wherein said gaseous precursor
has a boiling point of greater than about 37.degree. C.
81. A method according to claim 80 wherein said gaseous precursor
comprises a fluorinated compound.
82. A method according to claim 81 wherein said fluorinated
compound comprises a perfluorocarbon.
83. A method according to claim 82 wherein said perfluorocarbon is
selected from the group consisting of perfluoropentane and
perfluorohexane.
84. A method according to claim 61 wherein said vesicle composition
comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting of micelles
and liposomes.
85. A method according to claim 60 wherein said diagnostic imaging
is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound imaging and
computed tomography imaging.
86. A method according to claim 85 wherein said diagnostic imaging
comprises ultrasound imaging.
87. A method according to claim 60 wherein said internal region
comprises the heart region.
88. A method according to claim 60 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.01 to about 2.4 mL/sec.
89. A method according to claim 88 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.05 to about 2 mL/sec.
90. A method according to claim 89 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.07 to about 1.8 mL/sec.
91. A method according to claim 90 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.09 to about 1.6 mL/sec.
92. A method according to claim 91 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 mL/sec.
93. A method according to claim 92 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.3 to about 1.3 mL/sec.
94. A method according to claim 93 wherein said vesicle composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 1.1 mL/sec.
95. A method for providing an image of an internal region of a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a lipid
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or
gaseous precursor, (ii) flushing said composition, and (iii)
scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible
image of the region, wherein said composition is flushed at a rate
which substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the
image.
96. A method according to claim 95 wherein said lipid comprises a
phospholipid.
97. A method according to claim 96 wherein said phospholipid is
selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylethanolamin- e and phosphatidic acid.
98. A method according to claim 97 wherein said lipid composition
comprises a vesicle composition.
99. A method according to claim 95 wherein said vesicle composition
comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting of micelles
and liposomes.
100. A method according to claim 95 wherein said diagnostic imaging
is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound imaging and
computed tomography imaging.
101. A method according to claim 90 wherein said diagnostic imaging
comprises ultrasound imaging.
102. A method according to claim 95 wherein said internal region
comprises the heart region.
103. A method according to claim 95 wherein said composition is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.01 to about 2.4 mL/sec.
104. A method according to claim 103 wherein said lipid composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.05 to about 2 mL/sec.
105. A method according to claim 104 wherein said lipid composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.07 to about 1.8 mL/sec.
106. A method according to claim 105 wherein said lipid composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.09 to about 1.6 mL/sec.
107. A method according to claim 106 wherein said lipid composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 mL/sec.
108. A method according to claim 107 wherein said lipid composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.3 to about 1.3 mL/sec.
109. A method according to claim 108 wherein said lipid composition
is flushed at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 1.1 mL/sec.
110. A method for substantially eliminating diagnostic artifacts in
a diagnostic image of an internal region of a patient comprising
regulating the rate at which a contrast agent is administered to
the patient.
111. A method according to claim 110 wherein the diagnostic image
is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound images and
computed tomography images.
112. A method according to claim 111 wherein the diagnostic image
comprises ultrasound images.
113. A method according to claim 110 wherein the diagnostic
artifacts are selected from the group consisting of ultrasound
artifacts and computed tomography artifacts.
114. A method according to claim 113 wherein the diagnostic
artifacts comprise ultrasound artifacts.
115. A method according to claim 110 wherein said contrast agent
comprises a vesicle composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier,
a gas or gaseous precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins
or polymers.
116. A method according to claim 115 wherein said vesicles comprise
lipids.
117. A method according to claim 116 wherein said vesicle
composition comprises vesicles selected from the group consisting
of micelles and liposomes.
118. A method according to claim 116 wherein said lipids comprise
phospholipids.
119. A method according to claim 118 wherein said phospholipids are
selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylcholine,
phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid.
120. A method according to claim 119 wherein said
phosphatidylcholine is selected from the group consisting of
dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine,
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and
distearoylphosphatidylcholine.
121. A method according to claim 120 wherein said
phosphatidylcholine comprises dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
122. A method according to claim 119 wherein said
phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolam- ine,
dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine,
N-succinyldioleoylphosphatidylethan- olamine and
1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine.
123. A method according to claim 122 wherein said
phosphatidylethanolamine comprises
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine.
124. A method according to claim 119 wherein said phosphatidic acid
comprises dipalmitolylphosphatidic acid.
125. A method according to claim 116 wherein said lipid further
comprises a polymer.
126. A contrast agent according to claim 125 wherein said polymer
comprises a hydrophilic polymer.
127. A method according to claim 126 wherein said hydrophilic
polymer comprises polyethylene glycol.
128. A method according to claim 115 wherein said vesicles comprise
proteins.
129. A method according to claim 128 wherein said proteins comprise
albumin.
130. A method according to claim 115 wherein said vesicles comprise
polymers.
131. A method according to claim 130 wherein said polymers comprise
synthetic polymers or copolymers which are prepared from monomers
selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic
acid, ethyleneimine, crotonic acid, acrylamide, ethyl acrylate,
methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, lactic acid,
glycolic acid, .epsilon.-caprolactone, acrolein, cyanoacrylate,
bisphenol A, epichlorhydrin, hydroxyalkylacrylates, siloxane,
dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol,
hydroxyalkylmethacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides, N-substituted
methacrylamides, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2,4-pentadiene-1-ol, vinyl
acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene, p-amino-styrene,
p-aminobenzylstyrene, sodium styrene sulfonate, sodium
2-sulfoxyethyl-methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, aminoethyl
methacrylates and 2-methacryloyloxytrimethyl-ammonium chloride.
132. A method according to claim 130 wherein said polymers comprise
synthetic polymers or copolymers selected from the group consisting
of polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid,
polymethylmethacrylate, polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane,
polylactic acid, poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), epoxy resin,
poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethylene glycol), polyamide,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethylmethacrylate and
polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile.
133. A method according to claim 132 wherein said polymers comprise
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile copolymer.
134. A method according to claim 115 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered to the patient at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.6 to less than about 8.times.10.sup.6
vesicles/Kg-sec.
135. A method according to claim 134 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.6 to about 7.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
136. A method according to claim 135 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
1.5.times.10.sup.6 to about 6.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
137. A method according to claim 136 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
2.times.10.sup.6 to about 5.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
138. A method according to claim 137 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
2.5.times.10.sup.6 to about 5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
139. A method according to claim 138 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
3.times.10.sup.6 to about 4.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
140. A method according to claim 115 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered to the patient at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
141. A method according to claim 140 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
3.times.10.sup.-6 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
142. A method according to claim 141 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
4.times.10.sup.-6 to about 2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
143. A method according to claim 142 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
8.times.10.sup.-6 to about 2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
144. A method according to claim 143 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.-5 to about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
145. A method according to claim 144 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
4.times.10.sup.-5 to about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
146. A method according to claim 145 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
8.times.10.sup.-5 to less than about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc
gas/Kg-sec.
147. A method according to claim 146 wherein said vesicle
composition is administered at a rate of from about
1.times.10.sup.-4 to about 9.times.10.sup.-4 cc gas/Kg-sec.
148. A method according to claim 100 wherein said administration
also comprises flushing said contrast agent.
149. A method according to claim 148 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of administered to the patient at a rate of from
about 1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc
gas/Kg-sec.
150. A method according to claim 149 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.05 to about 2 mL/sec.
151. A method according to claim 150 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.07 to about 1.8 mL/sec.
152. A method according to claim 151 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.09 to about 1.6 mL/sec.
153. A method according to claim 152 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 mL/sec.
154. A method according to claim 153 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.3 to about 1.3 mL/sec.
155. A method according to claim 154 wherein said contrast agent is
flushed at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 1.1 mL/sec.
156. A method according to claim 100 wherein the region comprises
the heart region.
157. A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous
precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers, and
(ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a
visible image of any diseased tissue in the patient, wherein said
vesicle composition is administered to the patient at a rate which
substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in said image.
158. A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a lipid
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or
gaseous precursor, and (ii) scanning the patient using diagnostic
imaging to obtain a visible image of any diseased tissue in the
patient, wherein said lipid composition is administered to the
patient at a rate which substantially eliminates diagnostic
artifacts in said image.
159. A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a vesicle
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous
precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers,
(ii) flushing said composition, and (iii) scanning the patient
using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of any diseased
tissue in the patient, wherein said vesicle composition is flushed
at a rate which substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in
the image.
160. A method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a
patient comprising (i) administering to the patient a lipid
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or
gaseous precursor, (ii) flushing said composition, and (iii)
scanning the patient using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible
image of any diseased tissue in the patient, wherein said lipid
composition is flushed at a rate which substantially eliminates
diagnostic artifacts in the image.
161. A system for administering a contrast agent to a patient
comprising: (a) a first vessel containing a contrast agent; (b) a
second vessel containing a flushing agent; (c) a conduit having
means for directing fluid into a blood vessel of the patient; (d)
means for placing said first and second vessels into flow
communication with said conduit; (e) first flow inducing means for
inducing said contrast agent to flow from said first vessel into
said conduit; and (f) second flow inducing means for inducing said
flushing agent to flow from said second vessel into said conduit
subsequent to said flowing of said contrast agent into said conduit
by said first flow inducing means.
162. A system according to claim 161 wherein said second flow
inducing means further comprises means for inducing said contrast
agent to flow from said conduit into said blood vessel and for
subsequently inducing said flushing agent to flow from said conduit
into said blood vessel.
163. A system according to claim 162 wherein said second flow
inducing means has means for inducing flow at variable rates,
whereby said contrast agent flows into said blood vessel at a first
rate and said flushing agent flows into said blood vessel at a
second rate.
164. A system according to claim 161 wherein said first flow
inducing means comprises a syringe plunger and said first vessel
comprises a syringe barrel in which said plunger slides.
165. A system according to claim 161 wherein said second flow
inducing means comprises a mechanical injector.
166. A system according to claim 165 wherein said mechanical
injector operates using pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.
167. A system according to claim 161 wherein said conduit comprises
a needle.
168. A system according to claim 161 wherein said conduit comprises
tubing.
169. A system according to claim 161 wherein said means for placing
said first and second vessels into flow communication with said
conduit comprises a three-way stopcock.
170. A system according to claim 161 wherein said means for placing
said first and second vessels into flow communication with said
conduit comprises a port.
171. A system according to claim 161 wherein said contrast agent
comprises a vesicle composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier,
a gas or gaseous precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins
or polymers.
172. A system according to claim 161 wherein said contrast agent
comprises a lipid composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a
lipid and a gas or gaseous precursor.
173. A system according to claim 161 wherein said flushing agent
comprises a saline solution.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to improved methods for
diagnostic imaging. More particularly, the present invention
relates to improved methods for diagnostic imaging which involve
the regulation of the rate at which a contrast agent is
administered to a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic imaging technique for
studying various areas of the body including, for example, the
vasculature, such as tissue microvasculature. Ultrasound provides
certain advantages over other diagnostic techniques. For example,
diagnostic techniques involving nuclear medicine and X-rays
generally results in exposure of the patient to ionizing electron
radiation. Such radiation can cause damage to subcellular material,
including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA) and
proteins. Ultrasound does not involve such potentially damaging
radiation. In addition, ultrasound is relatively inexpensive as
compared to other diagnostic techniques, such as magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), which can require elaborate and expensive
equipment.
[0003] Ultrasound involves the exposure of a patient to sound
waves. Generally, the sound waves dissipate due to absorption by
body tissue, penetrate through the tissue, or reflect off of the
tissue. The reflection of sound waves off of tissue, generally
referred to as backscatter or reflectivity, forms the basis for
developing an ultrasound image. This is because sound waves reflect
differentially from different body tissues. This differential
reflection is due to various factors, including the constituents
and the density of the particular tissue being observed. The
differentially reflected waves are then detected, usually with a
transducer which can detect sound waves having a frequency of from
1 megahertz (MHz) to ten MHz. The detected waves are integrated,
quantitated and converted into an image of the tissue being
studied.
[0004] Ultrasound imaging techniques often involve the use of
contrast agents. Contrast agents can serve to improve the quality
and usefulness of images which are obtained with ultrasound.
Certain exemplary contrast agents include, for example, suspensions
of solid particles and emulsified liquid droplets.
[0005] The reflection of sound from a liquid-gas interface is
extremely efficient. Accordingly, certain bubbles, including
certain gas-filled bubbles, can be highly useful as contrast
agents. The term "bubbles", as used herein, refers to vesicles
which are generally characterized by the presence of one or more
membranes or walls surrounding an internal void that is filled with
a gas or precursor thereto. Exemplary bubbles include, for example,
liposomes, micelles and the like.
[0006] The effectiveness of bubbles as contrast agents depends upon
various factors, including, for example, the size of the bubble. As
known to the skilled artisan, the signal which is in the range of
diagnostic ultrasound frequencies and which can be reflected off of
a bubble is a function of the radius (r.sup.6) of the bubble
(Rayleigh Scatterer). Thus, a bubble having a diameter of about 4
micrometer (.mu.m) possesses about 64 times the scattering ability
of a bubble having a diameter of about 2 .mu.m. Thus, generally
speaking, the larger the bubble, the greater the reflected
signal.
[0007] However, bubble size is limited by the diameter of
capillaries through which the bubbles must pass. Generally,
contrast agents which comprise bubbles having a diameter of greater
than about 10 .mu.m can be dangerous since microvessels may be
occluded. Accordingly, it is desired that greater than about 98% of
the bubbles in a contrast agent have a diameter of less than about
10 .mu.m. Mean bubble diameter is important also, and should be
greater than about 1 .mu.m, with greater than about 2 .mu.m being
preferred. The volume weighted mean diameter of the bubbles should
be about 7 to about 20 .mu.m.
[0008] The viability of currently available ultrasound contrast
agents and methods involving their use is highly dependent on the
concentration of contrast agent which is present at the region
being imaged. For example, ultrasound imaging involving excess
concentrations of contrast agent or insufficient concentrations of
contrast agent can result in the generation of ultrasound images
which are unacceptable for diagnostic use. In this connection, an
excess concentration of contrast agent generally results in the
reflection of an overabundance of sound waves. This overabundance
of reflected sound waves can cause diagnostic artifacts including,
for example, shadowing or darkening, in the resulting ultrasound
image. An insufficient concentration of contrast agent generally
results in the reflection of an insufficient amount of sound waves.
This insufficient amount of reflected sound waves can also produce
diagnostic artifacts, such as excessive lightening or brightening,
in the resulting ultrasound image. Methods for regulating the
concentration of contrast agent in vivo in connection with
diagnostic imaging methods have been unreported heretofore.
[0009] In addition to ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) is a
valuable diagnostic imaging technique for studying various areas of
the body. In CT, the radiodensity (electron density) of matter is
measured and is expressed in terms of Hounsefield Units (HU).
Hounsefield Units, named after the inventor of the first CT
scanner, are an indication of the relative absorption of CT X-rays
by matter, the absorption being directly proportional to the
electron density of that matter. Water, for example, has a value of
0 HU, air a value of -1000 HU, and dense cortical bone a value of
1000 HU. Because of the similarity in the densities of various
tissues in the body, however, it has been necessary to develop
contrast agents which can be used to change the relative densities
of different tissues. This has resulted in an overall improvement
in the diagnostic efficacy of CT.
[0010] In the search for contrast agents for CT, researchers have
generally sought to develop agents that will increase electron
density in certain areas of a region of the body (positive contrast
agents). Barium and iodine compounds, for example, have been
developed for this purpose. For the gastrointestinal tract, barium
sulfate is used extensively to increase the radiodensity of the
bowel lumen on CT scans. Iodinated water-soluble contrast media are
also used to increase density within the gastrointestinal tract,
but are not used as commonly as the barium compounds, primarily
because the iodine preparations are more expensive than barium and
are generally less effective in increasing radiodensity within this
region of the body. The use of low density microspheres as CT
contrast agents has also been reported. See, e.g., Unger, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,205,290.
[0011] As discussed above in connection with ultrasound diagnostic
methods, the viability of currently available CT contrast agents
and methods involving their use is extremely dependent on
concentration. For example, too little contrast is observed if the
concentration of contrast agent at the region of interest is too
low. Conversely, too much contrast is observed if the concentration
of contrast agent at the region of interest is too high. In the
case of barium and iodine compounds, for example, too high a
concentration can cause beam hardening diagnostic artifacts which
appear as streaks in the CT images.
[0012] Accordingly, new and/or better diagnostic imaging methods
which permit the regulation of the concentration of contrast agents
are needed. The present invention is directed to this, as well as
other, important ends.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed, in part, to improved
methods for diagnostic imaging. Specifically, in one embodiment,
there is provided an improved method for providing an image of an
internal region of a patient. The method comprises administering to
the patient a vesicle composition comprising, in an aqueous
carrier, a gas or gaseous precursor and vesicles comprising lipids,
proteins or polymers. The patient is scanned using diagnostic
imaging to obtain a visible image of the region. The method
involves the administration of the vesicle composition at a rate
which substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image. A
preferable rate of administration of the vesicle composition is
less than about 8.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
[0014] Another embodiment of the invention also relates to a method
for providing an image of an internal region of a patient. The
method comprises administering to the patient a lipid composition
comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or gaseous
precursor. The patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging to
obtain a visible image of the region. The method involves the
administration of the lipid composition at a rate which
substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image. A
preferable rate of administration of the lipid composition is from
about 1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc
gas/Kg-sec.
[0015] Still another embodiment of the present invention relates to
a method for providing an image of an internal region of a patient.
The method comprises administering to the patient a vesicle
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous
precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers. The
composition is flushed and the patient is scanned using diagnostic
imaging to obtain a visible image of the region. The method
involves flushing the composition at a rate which substantially
eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image. A preferable flush
rate is less than about 2.5 mL/sec.
[0016] Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a method
for providing a diagnostic image of an internal region of a
patient. The method comprises administering to the patient a lipid
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or
gaseous precursor. The composition is flushed and the patient is
scanned using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of the
region. The method involves flushing the composition at a rate
which substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image. A
preferable flush rate is less than about 2.5 mL/sec.
[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient.
The method comprises administering to the patient a vesicle
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous
precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers. The
patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible
image of any diseased tissue in the patient. The method involves
the administration of the vesicle composition at a rate which
substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image. A
preferable rate of administration of the vesicle composition is
less than about 8.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
[0018] Still another embodiment of the invention relates to a
method for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient.
The method comprises administering to the patient a lipid
composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or
gaseous precursor. The patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging
to obtain a visible image of any diseased tissue in the patient.
The method involves the administration of the lipid composition at
a rate which substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the
image. A preferable rate of administration of the lipid composition
is from about 1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc
gas/Kg-sec.
[0019] Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a method
for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient. The
method comprises administering to the patient a vesicle composition
comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous precursor and
vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers. The composition
is flushed and the patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging to
obtain a visible image of any diseased tissue in the region. The
method involves flushing the vesicle composition at a rate which
substantially eliminates diagnostic artifacts in the image. A
preferable flush rate is less than about 2.5 mL/sec.
[0020] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for
diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient. The method
comprises administering to the patient a lipid composition
comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or gaseous
precursor. The composition is flushed and the patient is scanned
using diagnostic imaging to obtain a visible image of any diseased
tissue in the region. The method involves flushing the lipid
composition at a rate which substantially eliminates diagnostic
artifacts in the image. A preferable flush rate is less than about
2.5 mL/sec.
[0021] Still another embodiment of the invention relates to a
method for substantially eliminating diagnostic artifacts in a
diagnostic image of an internal region of a patient. The method
comprises regulating the rate at which a contrast agent is
administered to a patient.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
system for administering a contrast agent to a patient. The system
comprises (a) a first vessel containing a contrast agent; (b) a
second vessel containing a flush agent; (c) a conduit having means
for directing fluid into a blood vessel of the patient; (d) means
for placing said first and second vessels into flow communication
with said conduit; (e) first flow inducing means for inducing said
contrast agent to flow from said first vessel into said conduit;
and (f) second flow inducing means for inducing said flush agent to
flow from said second vessel into said conduit subsequent to said
flowing of said contrast agent into said conduit by said first flow
inducing means. In preferred form, the first flow inducing means
comprises a syringe plunger and the first vessel comprises a
syringe barrel in which the plunger slides. Also in preferred form,
the second flow inducing means comprises a mechanical injector. The
system is particularly suitable for use in the methods which are
described herein for the administration of contrast agents.
[0023] These and other aspects of the invention will become more
apparent from the present specification and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] For the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the
invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently
preferred. It should be understood, however, that this invention is
not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system including
an apparatus for administering a contrast agent to a patient in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic representation of a system
including an apparatus for administering a contrast agent to a
patient according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] As employed above and throughout the disclosure, the
following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to
have the following meanings.
[0028] "Lipid" refers to a synthetic or naturally-occurring
compound which is generally amphipathic and biocompatible. The
lipids typically comprise a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic
component. Exemplary lipids include, for example, fatty acids,
neutral fats, phosphatides, glycolipids, surface-active agents
(surfactants), aliphatic alcohols, waxes, terpenes and
steroids.
[0029] "Lipid composition" refers to a composition which comprises
a lipid compound, typically in an aqueous medium. Exemplary lipid
compositions include suspensions, emulsions and vesicle
compositions.
[0030] "Lipid formulation" refers to a lipid composition which also
comprises a bioactive agent.
[0031] "Vesicle" refers to a spherical entity which is generally
characterized by the presence of one or more walls or membranes
which form one or more internal voids. Vesicles may be formulated,
for example, from lipids, including the various lipids described
herein, proteinaceous materials, or polymeric materials, including
natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers. Preferred vesicles
are those which comprise walls or membranes formulated from lipids.
In these preferred vesicles, the lipids may be in the form of a
monolayer or bilayer, and the mono- or bilayer lipids may be used
to form one or more mono- or bilayers. In the case of more than one
mono- or bilayer, the mono- or bilayers may be concentric. Lipids
may be used to form a unilamellar vesicle (comprised of one
monolayer or bilayer), an oligolamellar vesicle (comprised of about
two or about three monolayers or bilayers) or a multilamellar
vesicle (comprised of more than about three monolayers or
bilayers). Similarly, the vesicles prepared from proteins or
polymers may comprise one or more concentric walls or membranes.
The walls or membranes of vesicles prepared from proteins or
polymers may be substantially solid (uniform), or they may be
porous or semi-pourous. The vesicles described herein include such
entities commonly referred to as, for example, liposomes, micelles,
bubbles, microbubbles, microspheres, lipid-, polymer- and/or
protein-coated bubbles, microbubbles and/or microspheres,
microballoons, aerogels, clathrate bound vesicles, and the like.
The internal void of the vesicles may be filled with a liquid
(including, for example, an aqueous liquid), a gas, a gaseous
precursor, and/or a solid or solute material, including, for
example, a targeting ligand and/or a bioactive agent, as
desired.
[0032] "Liposome" refers to a generally spherical cluster or
aggregate of amphipathic compounds, including lipid compounds,
typically in the form of one or more concentric layers, for
example, bilayers. They may also be referred to herein as lipid
vesicles. The liposomes may be formulated, for example, from ionic
lipids and/or non-ionic lipids. Liposomes which are formulated from
non-ionic lipids may also be referred to as "niosomes."
[0033] "Micelle" refers to colloidal entities formulated from
lipids. In certain preferred embodiments, the micelles comprise a
monolayer or hexagonal H2 phase configuration. In other preferred
embodiments, the micelles may comprise a bilayer configuration.
[0034] "Aerogel" refers to generally spherical entities which are
characterized by a plurality of small internal voids. The aerogels
may be formulated from synthetic materials (for example, a foam
prepared from baking resorcinol and formaldehyde), as well as
natural materials, such as polysaccharides or proteins.
[0035] "Clathrate" refers to a solid, semi-porous or porous
particle which may be associated with vesicles. In preferred form,
the clathrates may form a cage-like structure containing cavities
which comprise the vesicles. One or more vesicles may be bound to
the clathrate. A stabilizing material may, if desired, be
associated with the clathrate to promote the association of the
vesicle with the clathrate. Suitable materials from which
clathrates may be formulated include, for example, porous apatites,
such as calcium hydroxyapatite, and precipitates of polymers and
metal ions, such as alginic acid precipitated with calcium
salts.
[0036] The vesicles employed in the methods of the present
invention preferably contain a gas or gaseous precursor. "Gas
filled vesicle" refers to vesicles in which there is encapsulated a
gas. "Gaseous precursor filled vesicle" refers to vesicles in which
there is encapsulated a gaseous precursor. The vesicles may be
minimally, partially or substantially completely filled with the
gas and/or gaseous precursor. In certain preferred embodiments, the
vesicles may be substantially or completely filled with the gas
and/or gaseous precursor. The term "substantially", as used in
reference to the gas and/or gaseous precursor filled vesicles,
means that greater than about 50% of the internal void volume of
the vesicle consists of a gas. Preferably, greater than about 60%
of the internal void of the substantially filled vesicles consists
of a gas, with greater than about 70% being more preferred. Even
more preferably, greater than about 80% of the internal void of the
substantially filled vesicles consists of a gas, with greater than
about 90% being still more preferred. In particularly preferred
embodiments, greater than about 95% of the internal void of the
vesicles consists of a gas, with about 100% being especially
preferred. Although not considered a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the vesicles may also contain, if desired, no or
substantially no gas or gaseous precursor.
[0037] "Echogenic vesicle" refers to vesicles which may be capable
of reflecting sound waves, including, for example, ultrasound
waves. Echogenic vesicles may be particularly useful as contrast
agents to alter, for example, the acoustic properties of an
internal region of a patient, thereby resulting in improved
contrast in diagnostic imaging techniques, such as ultrasound,
computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In preferred
form, the echogenic vesicles may comprise gas filled vesicles.
Alternatively, the echogenic vesicles may comprise vesicles which
contain no or substantially no gas or gaseous precursor and which,
together with bubbles or globules of a gas or a gaseous precursor,
are suspended in a liquid medium in divided form. In these latter
embodiments, it is contemplated that echogenicity and/or an
alteration in the acoustic properties of an internal region of a
patient arises, at least in part, from the presence of the divided
gas or gaseous precursor.
[0038] "Vesicle composition" refers to a composition, typically in
an aqueous medium, which comprises vesicles.
[0039] "Vesicle formulation" refers to a vesicle composition which
also comprises a bioactive agent. Suitable vesicles or vesicle
species for use in vesicle formulations include, for example, gas
filled vesicles and gaseous precursor filled vesicles.
[0040] "Emulsion" refers to a lipoidal mixture of two or more
liquids and is generally in the form of a colloid. The lipids may
be heterogeneously dispersed throughout the emulsion.
Alternatively, the lipids may be aggregated in the form of, for
example, clusters or layers, including mono- or bilayers.
[0041] "Suspension" refers to a mixture of finely divided liquid or
solid particles floating in a liquid which can remain stable for
extended periods of time.
[0042] "Hexagonal H II phase structure" refers to a generally
tubular aggregation of lipids in liquid media, for example, aqueous
media, in which the hydrophilic portion(s) of the lipids generally
face inwardly in association with a liquid environment inside the
tube. The hydrophobic portion(s) of the lipids generally radiate
outwardly and the complex assumes the shape of a hexagonal tube. A
plurality of tubes is generally packed together in the hexagonal
phase structure.
[0043] "Patient" refers to animals, including mammals, preferably
humans.
[0044] The phrases "internal region of a patient" and "region of
interest" refer to the entire patient or to a particular area or
portion of the patient. Internal regions of a patient and regions
of interest may include, for example, areas being imaged with
diagnostic imaging and/or areas being treated with a bioactive
agent. Exemplary of such areas include, for example, the heart
region, including myocardial tissue, as well as other bodily
tissues, including the vasculature and circulatory system and
cancerous tissue. The phrase "vasculature," as used herein, denotes
the blood vessels in the body or in an organ or part of the
body.
[0045] "Bioactive agent" refers to a substance which may be used in
connection with an application that is therapeutic or diagnostic in
nature, such as in methods for diagnosing the presence or absence
of a disease in a patient and/or in methods for the treatment of
disease in a patient. As used herein, "bioactive agent" refers also
to substances which are capable of exerting a biological effect in
vitro and/or in vivo. The bioactive agents may be neutral or
positively or negatively charged. Examples of suitable bioactive
agents include diagnostic agents, pharmaceuticals, drugs, synthetic
organic molecules, proteins, peptides, vitamins, steroids, steroid
analogs, and genetic material, including nucleosides, nucleotides
and polynucleotides.
[0046] "Diagnostic agent" refers to any agent which may be used in
connection with methods for imaging an internal region of a patient
and/or diagnosing the presence or absence of a disease in a
patient. Exemplary diagnostic agents include, for example, contrast
agents for use in connection with ultrasound, magnetic resonance
imaging or computed tomography of a patient including, for example,
the lipid and/or vesicle compositions described herein.
[0047] "Polymer", as used herein, refers to molecules formed from
the chemical union of two or more repeating units. Accordingly,
included within the term "polymer" may be, for example, dimers,
trimers and oligomers. The polymer may be synthetic,
naturally-occurring or semisynthetic. In preferred form, the term
"polymer" refers to molecules which comprise 10 or more repeating
units.
[0048] "Thickening agent" refers to any of a variety of generally
hydrophilic materials which, when incorporated in the lipid and/or
vesicle compositions described herein, may act as viscosity
modifying agents, emulsifying and/or solubilizing agents,
suspending agents, and tonicity raising agents. It is contemplated
that the thickening agents may be capable of aiding in maintaining
the stability of the compositions due to such properties.
[0049] "Dispersing agent" refers to a surface-active agent which,
when added to a suspending medium of colloidal particles,
including, for example, certain of the lipid and/or vesicle
compositions described herein, may promote uniform separation of
particles. In certain preferred embodiments, the dispersing agent
may comprise a polymeric siloxane compound.
[0050] "Genetic material" refers generally to nucleotides and
polynucleotides, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and
ribonucleic acid (RNA). The genetic material may be made by
synthetic chemical methodology known to one of ordinary skill in
the art, or by the use of recombinant technology, or by a
combination of the two. The DNA and RNA may optionally comprise
unnatural nucleotides and may be single or double stranded.
"Genetic material" refers also to sense and anti-sense DNA and RNA,
that is, a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to a specific
sequence of nucleotides in DNA and/or RNA.
[0051] "Pharmaceutical" or "drug" refers to any therapeutic or
prophylactic agent which may be used in the treatment (including
the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation, or cure) of a malady,
affliction, disease or injury in a patient. Therapeutically useful
peptides, polypeptides and polynucleotides may be included within
the meaning of the term pharmaceutical or drug.
[0052] "Diagnostic artifact" refers generally to imperfections,
defects and/or flaws in a diagnostic image including, for example,
ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance images,
which may hamper and/or prevent visualization of a region of
interest. Diagnostic artifacts may be associated with excess and/or
insufficient concentrations of contrast agent. In the case of
excess concentrations, diagnostic artifacts may be manifested as
undesired darkening and/or shadowing. It is contemplated that the
excess concentration of contrast agent may form, for example, an
obstruction or barrier, which may prevent penetration, for example,
of sound waves in the case of ultrasound, through the contrast
agent and into tissues and/or structures in the patient which are
proximate the contrast agent and/or the region being imaged. In the
case of insufficient concentrations, diagnostic artifacts may be
manifested as undesired lightening and/or brightening.
[0053] "Ultrasound artifact" and "computed tomography artifact"
refer respectively to diagnostic artifacts associated with
ultrasound and computed tomography.
[0054] "Substantial elimination" refers to the prevention or
substantial prevention of the occurrence of diagnostic artifacts in
a diagnostic image. The term "substantial prevention" means that at
least about 50% of the artifacts may be eliminated by the methods
of the present invention as compared to at least one prior art
diagnostic method. Preferably, at least about 60% of the artifacts
may be eliminated by the methods of the present invention as
compared to at least one prior art diagnostic method, with the
elimination of at least about 70% of the artifacts being more
preferred. Even more preferably, at least about 80% of the
artifacts may be eliminated by the methods of the present invention
as compared to at least one prior art diagnostic method, with the
elimination of at least about 90% of the artifacts being still more
preferred. Yet more preferably, at least about 95% of the artifacts
may be eliminated by the methods of the present invention as
compared to at least one prior art diagnostic method, with the
elimination of at least about 100% being still more preferred.
[0055] The terms "administered" and "administration" refer
generally to the administration to a patient of a biocompatible
material, including, for example, lipid and/or vesicle compositions
and flush agents. Accordingly, "administered" and "administration"
refer, for example, to the injection into a blood vessel of lipid
and/or vesicle compositions and/or flush agents. The terms
"administered" and "administration" can also refer to the delivery
of lipid and/or vesicle compositions and/or flush agents to a
region of interest.
[0056] "Flushing" refers to the administration to a patient of a
flush agent after the administration of a lipid and/or vesicle
composition. The term "flush agent" refers to biocompatible
materials which may be capable, upon administration, of
facilitating the movement of a lipid and/or vesicle composition
through the circulatory system. An exemplary flush agent is saline
solution. In embodiments which involve the administration of a
lipid and/or vesicle composition intravenously (IV), the flush is
preferably also administered IV, typically at or near the location
that the lipid and/or vesicle composition is administered.
[0057] "Biocompatible" refers to materials which are generally not
injurious to biological functions and which will not result in any
degree of unacceptable toxicity, including allergenic responses and
disease states.
[0058] "In combination with" refers to the co-administration of a
bioactive agent with a lipid and/or vesicle composition. The term
"co-administration" means that the bioactive agent may be
administered before, during, or after the administration of the
lipid and/or vesicle composition. The lipid and/or vesicle
composition may be combined with the bioactive agent in any of a
variety of different ways. For example, in the case of vesicle
compositions, the bioactive agent may be entrapped within the
internal void of the vesicle. In addition, the bioactive agent may
be integrated within the layer(s) or wall(s) of the vesicle, for
example, by being interspersed among lipids (in the case of vesicle
compositions which comprise vesicles formulated from lipids) which
are contained within the vesicle layer(s) or wall(s). It is
contemplated that the bioactive agent may be located on the surface
of a vesicle. In this case, the bioactive agent may interact
chemically with the surface of the vesicle and remain substantially
adhered thereto. Such interaction may take the form of, for
example, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, van der
Waal's forces or covalent bonding. Also, the bioactive agent may
interact with the surface of the vesicle in a limited manner. Such
limited interaction would permit migration of the bioactive agent,
for example, from the surface of a first vesicle to the surface of
a second vesicle.
[0059] The present invention is directed, in part, to improved
methods for diagnostic imaging, including, for example, improved
methods for providing an image of an internal region of a patient.
Embodiments of the present invention involve the administration to
the patient of a contrast agent in the form of a lipid composition
comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a lipid and a gas or gaseous
precursor. Embodiments of the present invention also involve the
administration to the patient of a contrast agent in the form of a
vesicle composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, vesicles and
a gas or gaseous precursor. The patient is scanned using ultrasound
to obtain a visible image of the region. An important feature of
the methods of the present invention is that the contrast agent
(lipid and/or vesicle composition) is administered to the patient
at a rate which substantially eliminates ultrasound artifacts in
the image.
[0060] The improved methods of the present invention provide highly
desirable advantages relative to methods for diagnostic imaging,
especially ultrasound, which have been available heretofore. In
this connection, a surprising and unexpected advantage of the
present invention is that methods are provided which may enable the
substantial elimination from diagnostic images, including
ultrasound and computed tomography images, of diagnostic artifacts.
As known to the skilled artisan, diagnostic artifacts may occur
frequently in diagnostic images which are obtained using methods
for diagnostic imaging that are currently available. Diagnostic
artifacts may be highly undesirable since they may hamper or even
prevent visualization of a region of interest. Thus, in certain
circumstances, diagnostic artifacts may render a diagnostic image
substantially unusable.
[0061] As noted above, diagnostic artifacts may be caused by an
excess and/or insufficient concentration of contrast agent at a
region of interest. It has been found unexpectedly that the rate at
which a contrast agent is administered to a patient may have a
profound effect on the quality of the resulting diagnostic image.
For example, diagnostic imaging of tissue, such as myocardial
tissue, may involve the use of a contrast agent, for example, a
contrast agent comprising vesicles, which is administered
intravenously. After injection, the contrast agent may be carried
in the bloodstream to the desired tissue. Energy, for example,
ultrasound, may be applied, and a diagnostic image may be
generated. The inventors have found that a rapid injection of
contrast agent may result in the undesirable introduction into the
bloodstream of a concentrated mass of contrast agent. As this
concentrated mass reaches the region of interest, for example, the
heart region, visualization may be hampered and/or prevented due to
diagnostic artifacts caused, for example, by the partial or
complete obstruction of the region by the contrast agent.
Conversely, it has been found that a slow or prolonged injection
may result in the undesirable dilution of the contrast agent in the
bloodstream. This may provide an insufficient concentration of
contrast agent at the region of interest. Visualization may
therefore be hampered and/or precluded due to insufficient
contrast. The present invention is directed, at least in part, to
methods which provide a simple and effective means for the control
and/or regulation of the concentration of contrast agent at a
region of interest.
[0062] In accordance with the present invention, there are provided
methods which involve, inter alia, the administration to a patient
of a contrast agent, preferably in the form of lipid and/or vesicle
composition. In connection with lipid compositions, and especially
lipid compositions in the form of vesicle compositions, it may be
advantageous to prepare the lipid compositions at a temperature
below the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of
the involved lipids. This phase transition temperature is the
temperature at which a lipid bilayer will convert from a gel state
to a liquid crystalline state. See, for example, Chapman et al., J.
Biol. Chem. 1974 249, 2512-2521.
[0063] It is generally believed that vesicles which are prepared
from lipids that possess higher gel state to liquid crystalline
state phase transition temperatures tend to have enhanced
impermeability at any given temperature. See Derek Marsh, CRC
Handbook of Lipid Bilayers (CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. 1990), at
p. 139 for main chain melting transitions of saturated
diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines. The gel state to liquid
crystalline state phase transition temperatures of various lipids
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are
described, for example, in Gregoriadis, ed., Liposome Technology,
Vol. I, 1-18 (CRC Press, 1984). The following table lists some of
the representative lipids and their phase transition
temperatures.
1TABLE 1 Saturated Diacyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholi- nes: Main
Chain Melting Transition Temperatures Main Phase Number of Carbons
in Acyl Transition Chains Temperature (.degree. C.) 1,2-(12:0) -1.0
1,2-(13:0) 13.7 1,2-(14:0) 23.5 1,2-(15:0) 34.5 1,2-(16:0) 41.4
1,2-(17:0) 48.2 1,2-(18:0) 55.1 1,2-(19:0) 61.8 1,2-(20:0) 64.5
1,2-(21:0) 71.1 1,2-(22:0) 74.0 1,2-(23:0) 79.5 1,2-(24:0) 80.1
[0064] See, for example, Derek Marsh, CRC Handbook of Lipid
Bilayers, p. 139 (CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. 1990).
[0065] It may be possible to enhance the stability of vesicles
formulated from lipids by incorporating in the lipid compositions
at least a minor amount, for example, about 1 to about 10 mole
percent, based on the total amount of lipid employed, of a
negatively charged lipid. Suitable negatively charged lipids
include, for example, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid, and
fatty acids. Without intending to be bound by any theory or
theories of operation, it is contemplated that such negatively
charged lipids may provide added stability by counteracting the
tendency of vesicles to rupture by fusing together. Thus, the
negatively charged lipids may act to establish a uniform negatively
charged layer on the outer surface of the vesicle, which will be
repulsed by a similarly charged outer layer on other vesicles which
may be proximate thereto. In this way, the vesicles may be less
prone to come into touching proximity with each other, which may
lead to a rupture of the membrane or skin of the respective
vesicles and consolidation of the contacting vesicles into a
single, larger vesicle. A continuation of this process of
consolidation will, of course, lead to significant degradation of
the vesicles.
[0066] The lipid materials used in certain of the compositions
described herein, especially in connection with vesicle
compositions based on lipids, are also preferably flexible. This
means that, for example, in the case of vesicle compositions based
on lipids, the vesicles can alter their shape, for example, to pass
through an opening having a diameter that is smaller than the
diameter of the vesicle.
[0067] A wide variety of lipids are believed to be suitable for
incorporation in the lipid and/or vesicle compositions. With
particular reference to vesicle compositions, for example, micelles
and/or liposomes, any of the materials or combinations thereof
which are known to those skilled in the art as suitable for their
preparation may be used. The lipids used may be of natural,
synthetic or semi-synthetic origin. As noted above, suitable lipids
generally include, for example, fatty acids, neutral fats,
phosphatides, glycolipids, aliphatic alcohols and waxes, terpenes
and steroids.
[0068] Exemplary lipids which may be used to prepare lipid
compositions include, for example, fatty acids; lysolipids;
phosphocholines; phosphatidylcholine with both saturated and
unsaturated lipids, including dioleoylphosphatidylcholine;
dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine; dipentadecanoylphosphatidylcholine;
dilauroylphosphatidylcholine; dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
(DPPC); distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC); and
diarachidonylphosphatidylcholine (DAPC); phosphatidylethanolamines,
such as dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine,
dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) and
distearoylphosphatidyletha- nolamine (DSPE); phosphatidylserine;
phosphatidylglycerols, including distearoylphosphatidylglycerol
(DSPG); phosphatidylinositol; sphingolipids, such as sphingomyelin;
glycolipids, such as ganglioside GM1 and GM2; glucolipids;
sulfatides; glycosphingolipids; phosphatidic acids, such as
dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid (DPPA) and distearoylphosphatidic acid
(DSPA); palmitic acid; stearic acid; arachidonic acid; oleic acid;
lipids bearing biocompatible polymers, such as chitin, hyaluronic
acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol (PEG), the latter
being also referred to herein as "pegylated lipids", with preferred
lipids bearing polymers including DPPE-PEG, which refers to the
lipid DPPE having a PEG polymer attached thereto, including, for
example, DPPE-PEG5000, which refers to DPPE having attached thereto
a PEG polymer having a mean average molecular weight of about 5000;
lipids bearing sulfonated mono-, di-, oligo- or polysaccharides;
cholesterol, cholesterol sulfate and cholesterol hemisuccinate;
tocopherol hemisuccinate; lipids with ether and ester-linked fatty
acids; polymerized lipids (a wide variety of which are well known
in the art); diacetyl phosphate; dicetyl phosphate; stearylamine;
cardiolipin; phospholipids with short chain fatty acids of about 6
to about 8 carbons in length; synthetic phospholipids with
asymmetric acyl chains, such as, for example, one acyl chain of
about 6 carbons and another acyl chain of about 12 carbons;
ceramides; non-ionic liposomes including niosomes such as
polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohols,
polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, polyoxyethylated sorbitan
fatty acid esters, glycerol polyethylene glycol oxystearate,
glycerol polyethylene glycol ricinoleate, ethoxylated soybean
sterols, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene
polymers and polyoxyethylene fatty acid stearates; sterol aliphatic
acid esters, including cholesterol sulfate, cholesterol butyrate,
cholesterol iso-butyrate, cholesterol palmitate, cholesterol
stearate, lanosterol acetate, ergosterol palmitate and phytosterol
n-butyrate; sterol esters of sugar acids including cholesterol
glucuronide, lanosterol glucuronide, 7-dehydrocholesterol
glucuronide, ergosterol glucuronide, cholesterol gluconate,
lanosterol gluconate and ergosterol gluconate; esters of sugar
acids and alcohols including lauryl glucuronide, stearoyl
glucuronide, myristoyl glucuronide, lauryl gluconate, myristoyl
gluconate and stearoyl gluconate; esters of sugars and aliphatic
acids, including sucrose laurate, fructose laurate, sucrose
palmitate, sucrose stearate, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid and
polyuronic acid; saponins, including sarsasapogenin, smilagenin,
hederagenin, oleanolic acid and digitoxigenin; glycerols, including
glycerol dilaurate, glycerol trilaurate, glycerol dipalmitate,
glycerol and glycerol esters, such as glycerol tripalmitate,
glycerol distearate, glycerol tristearate, glycerol dimyristate and
glycerol trimyristate; long chain alcohols, including n-decyl
alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and
n-octadecyl alcohol; 6-(5-cholesten-3.beta.-yloxy)-1-thio-.be-
ta.-D-galactopyranoside; digalactosyldiglyceride;
6-(5-cholesten-3.beta.-y-
loxy)hexyl-6-amino-6-deoxy-1-thio-.beta.-D-galactopyranoside;
6-(5-cholesten-3.beta.-yloxy)hexyl-6-amino-6-deoxyl-1-thio-.alpha.-D-mann-
opyranoside;
12-(((7'-diethylaminocoumarin-3-yl)carbonyl)methylamino)-octa-
decanoic acid;
N-[12-(((7'-diethylaminocoumarin-3-yl)carbonyl)methylamino)-
-octadecanoyl]-2-aminopalmitic acid;
cholesteryl)4'-trimethylammonio)butan- oate;
N-succinyldioleoylphosphatidylethanol-amine;
1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero- l; 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-3-succinylglycerol;
1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-succinylglycer- ol;
1-hexadecyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerophosphoethanolamine and
palmitoylhomocysteine, and/or combinations thereof.
[0069] If desired, a cationic lipid may be used, such as, for
example, N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium
chloride (DOTMA), 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propane
(DOTAP); and
1,2-dioleoyl-3-(4'-trimethylammonio)-butanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOTB).
If a cationic lipid is employed in the lipid compositions, the
molar ratio of cationic lipid to non-cationic lipid may be, for
example, from about 1:1000 to about 1:100. Preferably, the molar
ratio of cationic lipid to non-cationic lipid may be from about 1:2
to about 1:10, with a ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:2.5 being
preferred. Even more preferably, the molar ratio of cationic lipid
to non-cationic lipid may be about 1:1.
[0070] In the case of lipid compositions which contain both
cationic and non-cationic lipids, a wide variety of lipids may be
employed as the non-cationic lipid. Preferably, this non-cationic
lipid comprises one or more of DPPC, DPPE and
dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. In lieu of the cationic lipids
listed above, lipids bearing cationic polymers, such as polylysine
or polyarginine, as well as alkyl phosphonates, alkyl phosphinates
and alkyl phosphites, may also be used in the lipid
compositions.
[0071] In preferred embodiments, the lipid compositions comprise
phospholipids, particularly one or more of DPPC, DPPE, DPPA, DSPC,
DSPE, and DAPC (20 carbons), with DPPC being especially
preferred.
[0072] Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids may also be employed
in the lipid compositions described herein and may include
molecules that preferably contain from about 12 carbons to about 22
carbons, in linear or branched form. Hydrocarbon groups consisting
of isoprenoid units and/or prenyl groups can be used as well.
Examples of saturated fatty acids that are suitable include, for
example, lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic acids. Suitable
unsaturated fatty acids that may be used include, for example,
lauroleic, physeteric, myristoleic, linoleic, linolenic,
palmitoleic, petroselinic and oleic acids. Examples of branched
fatty acids that may be used include, for example, isolauric,
isomyristic, isopalmitic and isostearic acids.
[0073] In addition to lipid compositions and/or vesicle
compositions formulated from lipids, the methods of the present
invention may also involve vesicles formulated from proteins or
derivatives thereof. Vesicles which are formulated from proteins
and which would be suitable for use in the methods of the present
invention are described, for example, in Feinstein, U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,572,203, 4,718,433 and 4,774,958, and Cerny et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,957,656. Other protein-based vesicles, in addition to those
described in the aforementioned patents, would be apparent to one
of ordinary skill in the art, once armed with the present
disclosure.
[0074] In addition to lipid compositions and/or vesicle
compositions formulated from lipids and/or proteins, the methods of
the present invention may also involve vesicles formulated from
polymers which may be of natural, semi-synthetic (modified natural)
or synthetic origin. As used herein, the term polymer denotes a
compound comprised of two or more repeating monomeric units, and
preferably 10 or more repeating monomeric units. The phrase
semi-synthetic polymer (or modified natural polymer), as employed
herein, denotes a natural polymer that has been chemically modified
in some fashion. Exemplary natural polymers suitable for use in the
present invention include naturally occurring polysaccharides. Such
polysaccharides include, for example, arabinans, fructans, fucans,
galactans, galacturonans, glucans, mannans, xylans (such as, for
example, inulin), levan, fucoidan, carrageenan, galatocarolose,
pectic acid, pectins, including amylose, pullulan, glycogen,
amylopectin, cellulose, dextran, dextrin, dextrose, polydextrose,
pustulan, chitin, agarose, keratan, chondroitan, dermatan,
hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, xanthan gum, starch and various
other natural homopolymer or heteropolymers, such as those
containing one or more of the following aldoses, ketoses, acids or
amines: erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose,
allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose,
talose, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, psicose, fructose,
sorbose, tagatose, mannitol, sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, trehalose,
maltose, cellobiose, glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine,
tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid,
lysine, arginine, histidine, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid,
glucaric acid, galacturonic acid, mannuronic acid, glucosamine,
galactosamine, and neuraminic acid, and naturally occurring
derivatives thereof. Accordingly, suitable polymers include, for
example, proteins, such as albumin. Exemplary semi-synthetic
polymers include carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose,
hydroxypropylmethylcellul- ose, methylcellulose, and
methoxycellulose. Exemplary synthetic polymers suitable for use in
the present invention include polyethylenes (such as, for example,
polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, and polyethylene
terephthlate), polypropylenes (such as, for example, polypropylene
glycol), polyurethanes (such as, for example, polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA), polyvinylchloride and polyvinylpyrrolidone), polyamides
including nylon, polystyrene, polylactic acids, fluorinated
hydrocarbons, fluorinated carbons (such as, for example,
polytetrafluoroethylene), and polymethylmethacrylate, and
derivatives thereof. Preferred are biocompatible synthetic polymers
or copolymers prepared from monomers, such as acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid, ethyleneimine, crotonic acid, acrylamide, ethyl
acrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA),
lactic acid, glycolic acid, .epsilon.-caprolactone, acrolein,
cyanoacrylate, bisphenol A, epichlorhydrin, hydroxyalkyl-acrylates,
siloxane, dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol,
hydroxyalkyl-methacrylates, N-substituted acrylamides,
N-substituted methacrylamides, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone,
2,4-pentadiene-1-ol, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, styrene,
p-amino-styrene, p-amino-benzyl-styrene, sodium styrene sulfonate,
sodium 2-sulfoxyethylmethacrylate, vinyl pyridine, aminoethyl
methacrylates, 2-methacryloyloxy-trimethylammonium chloride, and
polyvinylidene, as well polyfunctional crosslinking monomers such
as N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylates,
2,2'-(p-phenylenedioxy)-diethyl dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene,
triallylamine and methylenebis-(4-phenyl-- isocyanate), including
combinations thereof. Preferable polymers include polyacrylic acid,
polyethyleneimine, polymethacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylate,
polysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, polylactic acid,
poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), epoxy resin, poly(ethylene oxide),
poly(ethylene glycol), and polyamide (nylon) polymers. Preferable
copolymers include the following: polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethylmethacrylate,
polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile and poly d-1, lactide co-glycolide
polymers. A preferred copolymer is
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile. Other suitable biocompatible
monomers and polymers will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art, once armed with the present disclosure.
[0075] Vesicle derived from polymers for use in the methods of the
present invention are preferably low density. The term "low
density" refers to vesicles which have an internal void (cavity)
volume which is at least about 75% of the total volume of the
vesicle. Preferably, the vesicles have a void volume of at least
about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably
at least about 90%, still more preferably at least about 95%, and
yet more preferably about 100% of the total volume of the
vesicles.
[0076] As noted above, the lipid and/or vesicle compositions
employed in the present methods may also comprise a gas, such as an
inert gas. The gas provides the lipid and/or vesicle compositions
with enhanced reflectivity, particularly in connection with vesicle
compositions in which the gas is entrapped within the vesicles.
This may increase the effectiveness of the vesicle compositions as
contrast agents.
[0077] Preferred gases are gases which are inert and which are
biocompatible, that is, gases which are not injurious to biological
function. Preferred gases include those selected from the group
consisting of air, noble gases, such as helium, rubidium
hyperpolarized xenon, hyperpolarized argon, hyperpolarized helium,
neon, argon, xenon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, fluorine, oxygen,
sulfur-based gases, such as sulfur hexafluoride and sulfur
tetrafluoride, fluorinated gases, including, for example, partially
fluorinated gases or completely fluorinated gases. Exemplary
fluorinated gases include the fluorocarbon gases, such as the
perfluorocarbon gases, and mixtures thereof. Paramagnetic gases,
such as .sup.17O.sub.2, may also be used in the lipid and/or
vesicle compositions.
[0078] In preferred embodiments, the gas utilized in the
compositions described herein comprises a fluorinated gas. Such
fluorinated gases include materials which contain at least one, or
more than one, fluorine atom. Preferred are gases which contain
more than one fluorine atom, with perfluorocarbons (that is, fully
fluorinated fluorocarbons) being more preferred. Preferably, the
perfluorocarbon gas is selected from the group consisting of
perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane,
perfluorobutane, perfluoropentane, perfluorocyclobutane and
mixtures thereof. More preferably, the perfluorocarbon gas is
perfluoropropane or perfluorobutane, with perfluoropropane being
particularly preferred. Another preferable gas is sulfur
hexafluoride. Yet another preferable gas is heptafluoropropane,
including 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane and its isomer,
1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. It is contemplated that mixtures
of different types of gases, such as mixtures of a perfluorocarbon
gas and another type of gas, such as air, can also be used in the
compositions employed in the methods of the present invention.
Other gases, including the gases exemplified above, would be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art based on the present
disclosure.
[0079] In certain preferred embodiments, a gas, for example, air or
a perfluorocarbon gas, is combined with a liquid perfluorocarbon,
such as perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane, perfluoroheptane,
perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB), perfluorodecalin, perfluorododecalin,
perfluorooctyliodide, perfluorotripropylamine and
perfluorotributylamine.
[0080] It may also be desirable to incorporate in the lipid and/or
vesicle compositions a precursor to a gaseous substance. Such
precursors include materials that are capable of being converted to
a gas in vivo. Preferably, the gaseous precursor is biocompatible,
and the gas produced in vivo is biocompatible also.
[0081] Among the gaseous precursors which are suitable for use in
the lipid and/or vesicle compositions described herein are agents
which are sensitive to pH. These agents include materials that are
capable of evolving gas, for example, upon being exposed to a pH
that is neutral or acidic. Examples of such pH sensitive agents
include salts of an acid which is selected from the group
consisting of inorganic acids, organic acids and mixtures thereof.
Carbonic acid (H.sub.2CO.sub.3) is an example of a suitable
inorganic acid, and aminomalonic acid is an example of a suitable
organic acid. Other acids, including inorganic and organic acids,
would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art based on the
present disclosure.
[0082] Gaseous precursors which are derived form salts are
preferably selected from the group consisting of alkali metal
salts, ammonium salts and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the
salt is selected from the group consisting of carbonate,
bicarbonate, sesquecarbonate, aminomalonate and mixtures
thereof.
[0083] Examples of suitable gaseous precursor materials which are
derived from salts include, for example, lithium carbonate, sodium
carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium bicarbonate, sodium
bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium
carbonate, magnesium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium
bicarbonate, ammonium sesquecarbonate, sodium sesquecarbonate,
sodium aminomalonate and ammonium aminomalonate. Aminomalonate is
well known in the art, and its preparation is described, for
example, in Thanassi, Biochemistry, Vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 525-532
(1970); Fitzpatrick et al., Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 13, no. 3 pp.
568-574 (1974); and Stelmashok et al., Koordinatsionnaya Khimiya,
Vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 524-527 (1977). The disclosures of these
publications are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their
entirety.
[0084] In addition to, or instead of being sensitive to changes in
pH, the gaseous precursor materials may also comprise compounds
which are sensitive to changes in temperature. Exemplary of
suitable gaseous precursors which are sensitive to changes in
temperature are the perfluorocarbons. As the artisan will
appreciate, a particular perfluorocarbon may exist in the liquid
state when the lipid and/or vesicle compositions are first made,
and thus may be used as a gaseous precursor. Alternatively, the
perfluorocarbon may exist in the gaseous state when the lipid
and/or vesicle compositions are made, and thus may be used directly
as a gas. Whether the perfluorocarbon is used as a liquid or a gas
generally depends on its liquid/gas phase transition temperature,
or boiling point. For example, a preferred perfluorocarbon,
perfluoropentane, has a liquid/gas phase transition temperature
(boiling point) of 29.5.degree. C. This means that perfluoropentane
is generally a liquid at room temperature (about 25.degree. C.),
but is converted to a gas within the human body, the normal
temperature of which is about 37.degree. C., this temperature being
above the transition temperature of perfluoropentane. Thus, under
normal circumstances, perfluoropentane is a gaseous precursor. As a
further example, there are the homologs of perfluoropentane, namely
perfluorobutane and perfluorohexane. The liquid/gas transition of
perfluorobutane is 4.degree. C. and that of perfluorohexane is
57.degree. C. Thus, perfluorobutane may be useful as a gaseous
precursor, although more likely as a gas, whereas perfluorohexane
may be useful as a gaseous precursor because of its relatively high
boiling point. As known to one of ordinary skill in the art, the
effective boiling point of a substance may be related to the
pressure to which that substance is exposed. This relationship is
exemplified by the ideal gas law PV=nRT, where P is pressure, V is
volume, n is moles of substance, R is the gas constant, and T is
temperature. The ideal gas law indicates that as pressure
increases, the effective boiling point increases also. Conversely,
as pressure decreases, the effective boiling point decreases.
[0085] A wide variety of materials may be used as
temperature-sensitive gaseous precursors in the compositions
described herein. It is only required that the material be capable
of undergoing a phase transition to the gas phase upon passing
through the appropriate temperature. Suitable gaseous precursors
include, for example, hexafluoroacetone, isopropyl acetylene,
allene, tetrafluoroallene, boron trifluoride, 1,2-butadiene,
2,3-butadiene, 1,3-butadiene,
1,2,3-trichloro-2-fluoro-1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene,
hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene, butadiyne, 1-fluorobutane,
2-methylbutane, perfluorobutane, 1-butene, 2-butene,
2-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, perfluoro-1-butene,
perfluoro-2-butene, 4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one,
2-methyl-1-butene-3-yne, butyl nitrate, 1-butyne, 2-butyne,
2-chloro-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyne, 3-methyl-1-butyne,
perfluoro-2-butyne, 2-bromobutyraldehyde, carbonyl sulfide,
crotononitrile, cyclobutane, methylcyclobutane,
octafluorocyclobutane, perfluorocyclobutene, 3-chlorocyclopentene,
perfluorocyclopentane, octafluorocyclopentene, cyclopropane,
perfluorocyclopropane, 1,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane,
1,1-dimethylcyclopropan- e, 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane,
ethylcyclopropane, methylcyclopropane, diacetylene,
3-ethyl-3-methyl diaziridine, 1,1,1-trifluorodiazoethane, dimethyl
amine, hexafluorodimethylamine, dimethylethylamine,
bis(dimethylphosphine)amine, perfluorohexane, perfluoroheptane,
perfluorooctane, 2,3-dimethyl-2-norbornane, perfluorodimethylamine,
dimethyloxonium chloride, 1,3-dioxolane-2-one,
4-methyl-1,1,1,2-tetrafluo- roethane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane,
1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane,
1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane,
1,2-difluoroethane, 1-chloro-1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoroethane,
2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-2-fluoroethane,
1-chloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 2-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane,
chloroethane, chloropentafluoroethane, dichlorotrifluoroethane,
fluoroethane, perfluoroethane, nitropentafluoroethane,
nitrosopentafluoroethane, perfluoroethylamine, ethyl vinyl ether,
1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane,
1,2-difluoroethane, methane, trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride,
trifluoromethanesulfonylfluoride, bromodifluoronitrosomethane,
bromofluoromethane, bromochlorofluoromethane,
bromotrifluoromethane, chlorodifluoronitromethane,
chlorodinitromethane, chlorofluoromethane, chlorotrifluoromethane,
chlorodifluoromethane, dibromodifluoromethane,
dichlorodifluoromethane, dichlorofluoromethane, difluoromethane,
difluoroiodomethane, disilanomethane, fluoromethane, iodomethane,
iodotrifluoromethane, nitrotrifluoromethane,
nitrosotrifluoromethane, tetrafluoromethane,
trichlorofluoromethane, trifluoromethane, 2-methylbutane, methyl
ether, methyl isopropyl ether, methyllactate, methylnitrite,
methylsulfide, methyl vinyl ether, neopentane, nitrous oxide,
1,2,3-nonadecane-tricarboxylic acid 2-hydroxytrimethyl ester,
1-nonene-3-yne, 1,4-pentadiene, n-pentane, perfluoropentane,
4-amino-4-methylpentan-2-one, 1-pentene, 2-pentene (cis and trans),
3-bromopent-1-ene, perfluoropent-1-ene, tetrachlorophthalic acid,
2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine, propane, 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane,
1,2-epoxypropane, 2,2-difluoropropane, 2-aminopropane,
2-chloropropane, heptafluoro-1-nitropropane,
heptafluoro-1-nitrosopropane, perfluoropropane, propene,
hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoro-2,3-- dichloropropane,
1-chloropropane, chloropropane-(trans), 2-chloropropane,
3-fluoropropane, propyne, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, 3-fluorostyrene,
sulfur (di)-decafluoride (S.sub.2F.sub.10), 2,4-diaminotoluene,
trifluoroacetonitrile, trifluoromethyl peroxide, trifluoromethyl
sulfide, tungsten hexafluoride, vinyl acetylene and vinyl
ether.
[0086] Perfluorocarbons are both preferred gases and preferred
gaseous precursors for use in connection with the compositions
employed in the methods of the present invention. Included among
such perfluorocarbons are saturated perfluorocarbons, unsaturated
perfluorocarbons, and cyclic perfluorocarbons. The saturated
perfluorocarbons, which are usually preferred, have the formula
C.sub.nF.sub.2n+2, where n is from 1 to about 12, preferably about
2 to about 10, more preferably about 3 to about 8, and even more
preferably about 3 to about 6. Suitable perfluorocarbons include,
for example, perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, perfluoropropane,
perfluorobutane, perfluorocyclobutane, perfluoropentane,
perfluorohexane, perfluoroheptane, perfluorooctane and
perfluorononane. Preferably, the perfluorocarbon is selected from
the group consisting of perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane,
perfluorocyclobutane, perfluoropentane, perfluorohexane and
perfluorooctane, with perfluoropropane being particularly
preferred. Cyclic perfluorocarbons, which have the formula
C.sub.nF.sub.2, where n is from 3 to 8, preferably 3 to 6, may also
be preferred, and include, for example, hexafluorocyclopropane,
octafluorocyclobutane, and decafluorocyclopentane.
[0087] In addition to the perfluorocarbons, it may be desirable to
utilize stable fluorocarbons which are not completely fluorinated.
Such fluorocarbons include heptafluoropropane, for example,
1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane and its isomer,
1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluor- opropane.
[0088] The gaseous precursor materials may be also photoactivated
materials, such as diazonium ion and aminomalonate. Certain lipid
and/or vesicle compositions, and particularly vesicle compositions,
may be formulated so that gas can be formed at the target tissue or
by the action of sound on the composition. Examples of gaseous
precursors are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,088,499
and 5,149,319, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference, in their entirety. Other gaseous precursors,
in addition to those exemplified above, will be apparent to one
skilled in the art based on the present disclosure.
[0089] The gaseous substances and/or gaseous precursors are
preferably incorporated in the lipid and/or vesicle compositions
irrespective of the physical nature of the composition. Thus, it is
contemplated that the gaseous substances and/or precursors thereto
may be incorporated, for example, in lipid compositions in which
the lipids are aggregated randomly, as well as in vesicle
compositions, including vesicle compositions which are formulated
from lipids, such as micelles and liposomes. Incorporation of the
gaseous substances and/or precursors thereto in the lipid and/or
vesicle compositions may be achieved by using any of a number of
methods. For example, in the case of vesicles based on lipids, the
formation of gas filled vesicles can be achieved by shaking or
otherwise agitating an aqueous mixture which comprises a gas or
gaseous precursor and one or more lipids. This promotes the
formation of stabilized vesicles within which the gas or gas
precursor is encapsulated.
[0090] In addition, a gas may be bubbled directly into an aqueous
mixture of lipid and/or vesicle-forming compounds. Alternatively, a
gas instillation method can be used as disclosed, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,352,435 and 5,228,446, the disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
Suitable methods for incorporating the gas or gas precursor in
cationic lipid compositions are disclosed also in U.S. Pat. No.
4,865,836, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference. Other methods would be apparent to one skilled in the
art based on the present disclosure. Preferably, the gas may be
instilled in the lipid and/or vesicle compositions after or during
the addition of the stabilizing material and/or during formation of
vesicles.
[0091] In preferred embodiments, the gaseous substances and/or
gaseous precursor materials are incorporated in vesicle
compositions, with micelles and liposomes being preferred. As
discussed in detail below, vesicles in which a gas or gaseous
precursor or both are encapsulated are advantageous in that they
provide improved reflectivity in vivo.
[0092] As discussed more fully hereinafter, it is preferred that
the lipid compositions, and especially the vesicle compositions, be
formulated from lipids and optional stabilizing compounds to
promote the formation of stable vesicles. In addition, it is also
preferred that the lipid and/or vesicle compositions comprise a
highly stable gas as well. The phrase "highly stable gas" refers to
a gas which has limited solubility and diffusability in aqueous
media. Exemplary highly stable gases include perfluorocarbons since
they are generally less diffusible and relatively insoluble in
aqueous media. Accordingly, their use may promote the formation of
highly stable vesicles.
[0093] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to use a
fluorinated compound, especially a perfluorocarbon compound, which
may be in the liquid state at the temperature of use of the lipid
and/or vesicle compositions, including, for example, the in vivo
temperature of the human body, to assist or enhance the stability
of the lipid and/or vesicle compositions, and especially, the gas
filled vesicles. Suitable fluorinated compounds include, for
example, fluorinated surfactants, such as fluorinated surfactants
which are commercially available as ZONYL.RTM. surfactants (the
DuPont Company, Wilmington, Del.), as well as liquid
perfluorocarbons, such as for example, perfluorooctylbromide
(PFOB), perfluorodecalin, perfluorododecalin, perfluorooctyliodide,
perfluorotripropylamine, and perfluorotributylamine. In general,
perfluorocarbons comprising about six or more carbon atoms will be
liquids at normal human body temperature. Among these
perfluorocarbons, perfluorooctylbromide and perfluorohexane, which
are liquids at room temperature, are preferred. The gas which is
present may be, for example, nitrogen or perfluoropropane, or may
be derived from a gaseous precursor, which may also be a
perfluorocarbon, for example, perfluoropentane. In the latter case,
the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be prepared from a
mixture of perfluorocarbons, which for the examples given, would be
perfluoropropane (gas) or perfluoropentane (gaseous precursor) and
perfluorooctylbromide (liquid). Although not intending to be bound
by any theory or theories of operation, it is believed that, in the
case of vesicle compositions, the liquid fluorinated compound may
be situated at the interface between the gas and the membrane or
wall surface of the vesicle. There may be thus formed a further
stabilizing layer of liquid fluorinated compound on the internal
surface of the stabilizing compound, for example, a biocompatible
lipid used to form the vesicle, and this perfluorocarbon layer may
also prevent the gas from diffusing through the vesicle membrane. A
gaseous precursor, within the context of the present invention, is
a liquid at the temperature of manufacture and/or storage, but
becomes a gas at least at or during the time of use.
[0094] Thus, it has been discovered that a liquid fluorinated
compound, such as a perfluorocarbon, when combined with a gas or
gaseous precursor ordinarily used to make the lipid and/or vesicle
compositions described herein, may confer an added degree of
stability not otherwise obtainable with the gas or gaseous
precursor alone. Thus, it is within the scope of the present
invention to utilize a gas or gaseous precursor, such as a
perfluorocarbon gaseous precursor, for example, perfluoropentane,
together with a perfluorocarbon which remains liquid after
administration to a patient, that is, whose liquid to gas phase
transition temperature is above the body temperature of the
patient, for example, perfluorooctylbromide. Perfluorinated
surfactants, such as ZONYL.RTM. fluorinated surfactants, may be
used to stabilize the lipid and/or vesicle compositions, and to
act, for example, as a coating for vesicles. Preferred
perfluorinated surfactants are the partially fluorinated
phosphocholine surfactants. In these preferred fluorinated
surfactants, the dual alkyl compounds may be fluorinated at the
terminal alkyl chains and the proximal carbons may be hydrogenated.
These fluorinated phosphocholine surfactants may be used for making
the targeted lipid and/or vesicle compositions employed in the
methods of the present invention.
[0095] In connection with embodiments involving vesicle
compositions, the size of the vesicles can be adjusted for the
particular intended end use including, for example, diagnostic
and/or therapeutic use. The size of the vesicles may preferably
range from about 30 nanometers (nm) to about 100 micrometers
(.mu.m) in diameter, and all combinations and subcombinations of
ranges therein. More preferably, the vesicles have diameters of
from about 100 nm to about 10 .mu.m, with diameters of from about
200 nm to about 7 .mu.m being even more preferred. In connection
with particular uses, for example, intravascular use, including
magnetic resonance imaging of the vasculature, it may be preferred
that the vesicles be no larger that about 30 .mu.m in diameter,
with smaller vesicles being preferred, for example, vesicles of no
larger than about 12 .mu.m in diameter. In certain preferred
embodiments, the diameter of the vesicles may be about 7 .mu.m or
less, with vesicles having a mean diameter of about 5 .mu.m or less
being more preferred, and vesicles having a mean diameter of about
3 .mu.m or less being even more preferred. It is contemplated that
these smaller vesicles may perfuse small vascular channels, such as
the microvasculature, while at the same time providing enough space
or room within the vascular channel to permit red blood cells to
slide past the vesicles.
[0096] The size of the gas filled vesicles can be adjusted, if
desired, by a variety of procedures including, for example,
shaking, microemulsification, vortexing, extrusion, filtration,
sonication, homogenization, repeated freezing and thawing cycles,
extrusion under pressure through pores of defined size, and similar
methods.
[0097] As noted above, compositions employed herein may also
include, with respect to their preparation, formation and use,
gaseous precursors that can be activated to change from a liquid or
solid state into a gas by temperature, pH, light, and energy (such
as ultrasound). The gaseous precursors may be made into gas by
storing the precursors at reduced pressure. For example, a vial
stored under reduced pressure may create a headspace of
perfluoropentane or perfluorohexane gas, useful for creating a
preformed gas prior to injection. Preferably, the gaseous
precursors may be activated by temperature. Set forth below is a
table listing a series of gaseous precursors which undergo phase
transitions from liquid to gaseous states at relatively close to
normal body temperature (37.degree. C.) or below, and the size of
the emulsified droplets that would be required to form a vesicle of
a maximum size of 10 .mu.m.
2TABLE 2 Physical Characteristics of Gaseous Precursors and
Diameter of Emulsified Droplet to Form a 10 .mu.m Vesicle* Diameter
(.mu.m) of emulsified droplet Molecular Boiling Point to make 10
micron Compound Weight (.degree. C.) Density vesicle perfluoro
288.04 28.5 1.7326 2.9 pentane 1- 76.11 32.5 0.67789 1.2
fluorobutane 2-methyl 72.15 27.8 0.6201 2.6 butane (isopentane)
2-methyl 1- 70.13 31.2 0.6504 2.5 butene 2-methyl-2- 70.13 38.6
0.6623 2.5 butene 1-butene-3- 66.10 34.0 0.6801 2.4 yne-2-methyl
3-methyl-1- 68.12 29.5 0.6660 2.5 butyne octafluoro 200.04 -5.8
1.48 2.8 cyclobutane decafluoro 238.04 -2 1.517 3.0 butane
hexafluoro 138.01 -78.1 1.607 2.7 ethane *Source: Chemical Rubber
Company Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert C. Weast and
David R. Lide, eds., CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, Florida
(1989-1990).
[0098] The perfluorocarbons, as already indicated, are preferred
for use as the gas or gaseous precursors, as well as additional
stabilizing components.
[0099] As noted above, it is preferred to optimize the utility of
the lipid and/or vesicle compositions, especially vesicle
compositions formulated from lipids, by using gases of limited
solubility. The phrase "limited solubility" refers to the ability
of the gas to diffuse out of the vesicles by virtue of its
solubility in the surrounding aqueous medium. A greater solubility
in the aqueous medium imposes a gradient with the gas in the
vesicle such that the gas may have a tendency to diffuse out of the
vesicle. A lesser solubility in the aqueous milieu, may, on the
other hand, decrease or eliminate the gradient between the vesicle
and the interface such that diffusion of the gas out of the vesicle
may be impeded. Preferably, the gas entrapped in the vesicle has a
solubility less than that of oxygen, that is, about 1 part gas in
about 32 parts water. See Matheson Gas Data Book, 1966, Matheson
Company Inc. More preferably, the gas entrapped in the vesicle
possesses a solubility in water less than that of air; and even
more preferably, the gas entrapped in the vesicle possesses a
solubility in water less than that of nitrogen.
[0100] It may be desirable, in cetain embodiments, to formulate
vesicles from substantially impermeable polymeric materials. In
these embodiments, it is generally unnecessary to employ a gas
which is highly insoluble also. For example, stable vesicle
compositions which comprise substantially impermeable polymeric
materials may be formulated with gases having higher solubilities,
for example, air or nitrogen.
[0101] In addition to, or instead of, the lipid, proteinaceous
and/or polymeric compounds discussed above, the compositions
described herein may comprise one or more stabilizing materials.
Exemplary of such stabilizing materials are, for example,
biocompatible polymers. The stabilizing materials may be employed
to desirably assist in the formation of vesicles and/or to assure
substantial encapsulation of the gases or gaseous precursors. Even
for relatively insoluble, non-diffusible gases, such as
perfluoropropane or sulfur hexafluoride, improved vesicle
compositions may be obtained when one or more stabilizing materials
are utilized in the formation of the gas and gaseous precursor
filled vesicles. These compounds may help improve the stability and
the integrity of the vesicles with regard to their size, shape
and/or other attributes.
[0102] The terms "stable" or "stabilized", as used herein, means
that the vesicles may be substantially resistant to degradation,
including, for example, loss of vesicle structure or encapsulated
gas or gaseous precursor, for a useful period of time. Typically,
the vesicles employed in the present invention have a desirable
shelf life, often retaining at least about 90% by volume of its
original structure for a period of at least about two to three
weeks under normal ambient conditions. In preferred form, the
vesicles are desirably stable for a period of time of at least
about 1 month, more preferably at least about 2 months, even more
preferably at least about 6 months, still more preferably about
eighteen months, and yet more preferably up to about 3 years. The
vesicles described herein, including gas and gaseous precursor
filled vesicles, may also be stable even under adverse conditions,
such as temperatures and pressures which are above or below those
experienced under normal ambient conditions.
[0103] The stability of the vesicles described herein may be
attributable, at least in part, to the materials from which the
vesicles are made, including, for example, the lipids, polymers
and/or proteins described above, and it is often not necessary to
employ additional stabilizing materials, although it is optional
and may be preferred to do so. Such additional stabilizing
materials and their characteristics are described more fully
hereinafter.
[0104] The materials from which the vesicles are constructed are
preferably biocompatible lipid, protein or polymer materials, and
of these, the biocompatible lipids are preferred. In addition,
because of the ease of formulation, including the capability of
preparing vesicles immediately prior to administration, these
vesicles may be conveniently made on site.
[0105] The biocompatible polymers useful as stabilizing materials
for preparing the gas and gaseous precursor filled vesicles may be
of natural, semi-synthetic (modified natural) or synthetic origin.
As used herein, the term polymer denotes a compound comprised of
two or more repeating monomeric units, and preferably 10 or more
repeating monomeric units. The phrase semi-synthetic polymer (or
modified natural polymer), as employed herein, denotes a natural
polymer that has been chemically modified in some fashion.
Exemplary natural polymers suitable for use in the present
invention include naturally occurring polysaccharides. Such
polysaccharides include, for example, arabinans, fructans, fucans,
galactans, galacturonans, glucans, mannans, xylans (such as, for
example, inulin), levan, fucoidan, carrageenan, galatocarolose,
pectic acid, pectins, including amylose, pullulan, glycogen,
amylopectin, cellulose, dextran, dextrin, dextrose, polydextrose,
pustulan, chitin, agarose, keratan, chondroitan, dermatan,
hyaluronic acid, alginic acid, xanthan gum, starch and various
other natural homopolymer or heteropolymers, such as those
containing one or more of the following aldoses, ketoses, acids or
amines: erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose,
allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose,
talose, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, psicose, fructose,
sorbose, tagatose, mannitol, sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, trehalose,
maltose, cellobiose, glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine,
tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid,
lysine, arginine, histidine, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid,
glucaric acid, galacturonic acid, mannuronic acid, glucosamine,
galactosamine, and neuraminic acid, and naturally occurring
derivatives thereof. Accordingly, suitable polymers include, for
example, proteins, such as albumin. Exemplary semi-synthetic
polymers include carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose,
hydroxypropylmethylcellul- ose, methylcellulose, and
methoxycellulose. Exemplary synthetic polymers suitable for use in
the present invention include polyethylenes (such as, for example,
polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, and polyethylene
terephthlate), polypropylenes (such as, for example, polypropylene
glycol), polyurethanes (such as, for example, polyvinyl alcohol
(PVA), polyvinylchloride and polyvinylpyrrolidone), polyamides
including nylon, polystyrene, polylactic acids, fluorinated
hydrocarbons, fluorinated carbons (such as, for example,
polytetrafluoroethylene), and polymethylmethacrylate, and
derivatives thereof. Methods for the preparation of vesicles which
employ polymers as stabilizing compounds will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art, once armed with the present
disclosure, when the present disclosure is coupled with information
known in the art, such as that described and referred to in Unger,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,290, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0106] Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention
involve vesicles which comprise three components: (1) a neutral
lipid, for example, a nonionic or zwitterionic lipid, (2) a
negatively charged lipid, and (3) a lipid bearing a stabilizing
material, for example, a hydrophilic polymer. Preferably, the
amount of the negatively charged lipid will be greater than about 1
mole percent of the total lipid present, and the amount of lipid
bearing a hydrophilic polymer will be greater than about 1 mole
percent of the total lipid present. Exemplary and preferred
negatively charged lipids include phosphatidic acids. The lipid
bearing a hydrophilic polymer will desirably be a lipid covalently
linked to the polymer, and the polymer will preferably have a
weight average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 100,000.
Suitable hydrophilic polymers are preferably selected from the
group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene
glycol, polyvinylalcohol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers
thereof, with PEG polymers being preferred. Preferably, the PEG
polymer has a molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 7500,
with molecular weights of from about 2000 to about 5000 being more
preferred. The PEG or other polymer may be bound to the lipid, for
example, DPPE, through a covalent bond, such as an amide, carbamate
or amine linkage. In addition, the PEG or other polymer may be
linked to a targeting ligand, or other phospholipids, with a
covalent bond including, for example, amide, ester, ether,
thioester, thioamide or disulfide bonds. Where the hydrophilic
polymer is PEG, a lipid bearing such a polymer will be said to be
"pegylated." In preferred form, the lipid bearing a hydrophilic
polymer may be DPPE-PEG, including, for example, DPPE-PEG5000,
which refers to DPPE having a polyethylene glycol polymer of a mean
weight average molecular weight of about 5000 attached thereto
(DPPE-PEG5000). Another suitable pegylated lipid is
distearoylphosphatidylethanol-amine-polyethylene glycol 5000
(DSPE-PEG5000).
[0107] In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention,
the lipid compositions may include about 77.5 mole % DPPC, 12.5
mole % of DPPA, and 10 mole % of DPPE-PEG5000. Also preferred are
compositions which comprise about 80 to about 90 mole % DPPC, about
5 to about 15 mole % DPPA and about 5 to about 15 mole %
DPPE-PEG5000. Especially preferred are compositions which comprise
DPPC, DPPA and DPPE-PEG5000 in a mole % ratio of 82:10:8,
respectively. DPPC is substantially neutral, since the phosphatidyl
portion is negatively charged and the choline portion is positively
charged. Consequently, DPPA, which is negatively charged, may be
added to enhance stabilization in accordance with the mechanism
described above. DPPE-PEG provides a pegylated material bound to
the lipid membrane or skin of the vesicle by the DPPE moiety, with
the PEG moiety free to surround the vesicle membrane or skin, and
thereby form a physical barrier to various enzymatic and other
endogenous agents in the body whose function is to degrade such
foreign materials. The DPPE-PEG may provide more vesicles of a
smaller size which are safe and stable to pressure when combined
with other lipids, such as DPPC and DPPA, in the given ratios. It
is also theorized that the pegylated material, because of its
structural similarity to water, may be able to defeat the action of
the macrophages of the human immune system, which would otherwise
tend to surround and remove the foreign object. The result is an
increase in the time during which the stabilized vesicles may
function as diagnostic imaging contrast media.
[0108] The vesicle compositions may be prepared from other
materials, in addition to the materials described above, provided
that the vesicles so prepared meet the stability and other criteria
set forth herein. These materials may be basic and fundamental, and
form the primary basis for creating or establishing the stabilized
gas and gaseous precursor filled vesicles. On the other hand, they
may be auxiliary, and act as subsidiary or supplementary agents
which can enhance the functioning of the basic stabilizing material
or materials, or contribute some desired property in addition to
that afforded by the basic stabilizing material.
[0109] However, it is not always possible to determine whether a
given material is a basic or an auxiliary agent, since the
functioning of the material in question is determined empirically,
for example, by the results produced with respect to producing
stabilized vesicles. As examples of how these basic and auxiliary
materials may function, it has been observed that the simple
combination of a biocompatible lipid and water or saline when
shaken will often give a cloudy solution subsequent to autoclaving
for sterilization. Such a cloudy solution may function as a
contrast agent, but is aesthetically objectionable and may imply
instability in the form of undissolved or undispersed lipid
particles. Cloudy solutions may be also undesirable where the
undissolved particulate matter has a diameter of greater than about
7 .mu.m, and especially greater than about 10 .mu.m. Manufacturing
steps, such as sterile filtration, may also be problematic with
solutions which contain undissolved particulate matter. Thus,
propylene glycol may be added to remove this cloudiness by
facilitating dispersion or dissolution of the lipid particles. The
propylene glycol may also function as a wetting agent which can
improve vesicle formation and stabilization by increasing the
surface tension on the vesicle membrane or skin. It is possible
that the propylene glycol can also function as an additional layer
that may coat the membrane or skin of the vesicle, thus providing
additional stabilization. As examples of such further basic or
auxiliary stabilizing materials, there are conventional surfactants
which may be used; see D'Arrigo U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,479 and
5,215,680.
[0110] Additional auxiliary and basic stabilizing materials include
such agents as peanut oil, canola oil, olive oil, safflower oil,
corn oil, or any other oil commonly known to be ingestible which is
suitable for use as a stabilizing compound in accordance with the
teachings herein. Various auxiliary and basic stabilizing materials
are disclosed, for example, in U.S. application Ser. No.
08/444,574, filed May 19, 1995, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0111] In addition, compounds used to make mixed micelle systems
may be suitable for use as basic or auxiliary stabilizing
materials, and these include, for example, lauryltrimethylammonium
bromide (dodecyl-), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (hexadecyl-),
myristyltrimethylammonium bromide (tetradecyl-),
alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (where alkyl is C.sub.12,
C.sub.14 or C.sub.16,), benzyldimethyldodecylammonium
bromide/chloride, benzyldimethyl hexadecylammonium
bromide/chloride, benzyldimethyl tetradecylammonium
bromide/chloride, cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide/chloride, or
cetylpyridinium bromide/chloride.
[0112] It has also been found that the gas and gaseous precursor
filled vesicles used in the present invention may be controlled
according to size, solubility and heat stability by choosing from
among the various additional or auxiliary stabilizing materials
described herein. These materials can affect these parameters of
the vesicles, especially vesicles formulated from lipids, not only
by their physical interaction with the membranes, but also by their
ability to modify the viscosity and surface tension of the surface
of the gas and gaseous precursor filled vesicle. Accordingly, the
gas and gaseous precursor filled vesicles used in the present
invention may be favorably modified and further stabilized, for
example, by the addition of one or more of a wide variety of (a)
viscosity modifiers, including, for example, carbohydrates and
their phosphorylated and sulfonated derivatives; polyethers,
preferably with molecular weight ranges between 400 and 100,000;
and di- and trihydroxy alkanes and their polymers, preferably with
molecular weight ranges between 200 and 50,000; (b) emulsifying
and/or solubilizing agents including, for example, acacia,
cholesterol, diethanolamine, glyceryl monostearate, lanolin
alcohols, lecithin, mono- and di-glycerides, mono-ethanolamine,
oleic acid, oleyl alcohol, poloxamer, for example, poloxamer 188,
poloxamer 184, and poloxamer 181, polyoxyethylene 50 stearate,
polyoxyl 35 castor oil, polyoxyl 10 oleyl ether, polyoxyl 20
cetostearyl ether, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polysorbate 20,
polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol
diacetate, propylene glycol monostearate, sodium lauryl sulfate,
sodium stearate, sorbitan mono-laurate, sorbitan mono-oleate,
sorbitan mono-palmitate, sorbitan monostearate, stearic acid,
trolamine, and emulsifying wax; (c) suspending and/or
viscosity-increasing agents, including, for example, acacia, agar,
alginic acid, aluminum mono-stearate, bentonite, magma, carbomer
934P, carboxymethylcellulose, calcium and sodium and sodium 12,
carrageenan, cellulose, dextran, gelatin, guar gum, locust bean
gum, veegum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,
magnesium-aluminum-silicate, Zeolites.RTM., methylcellulose,
pectin, polyethylene oxide, povidone, propylene glycol alginate,
silicon dioxide, sodium alginate, tragacanth, xanthan gum,
.alpha.-d-gluconolactone, glycerol and mannitol; (d) synthetic
suspending agents, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG),
polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polypropylene
glycol (PPG), and polysorbate; and (e) tonicity raising agents
which stabilize and add tonicity, including, for example, sorbitol,
mannitol, trehalose, sucrose, propylene glycol and glycerol.
[0113] A wide variety of methods are available for the preparation
of lipid and/or vesicle compositions, such as micelles and/or
liposomes. Included among these methods are, for example, shaking,
drying, gas-installation, spray drying, and the like. Suitable
methods for preparing vesicle compositions from lipids are
described, for example, in Unger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,854,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As
noted above, the vesicles are preferably prepared from lipids which
remain in the gel state.
[0114] With particular reference to the preparation of micelle
compositions, the following discussion is provided. Micelles may be
prepared using any one of a variety of conventional micellar
preparatory methods which will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. These methods typically involve suspension of one or more
lipid compounds in an organic solvent, evaporation of the solvent,
resuspension in an aqueous medium, sonication and centrifugation.
The foregoing methods, as well as others, are discussed, for
example, in Canfield et al., Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 189, pp.
418-422 (1990); El-Gorab et al, Biochem. Biophys. Acta, Vol. 306,
pp. 58-66 (1973); Colloidal Surfactant, Shinoda, K., Nakagana,
Tamamushi and Isejura, Academic Press, NY (1963) (especially "The
Formation of Micelles", Shinoda, Chapter 1, pp. 1-88); Catalysis in
Micellar and Macromolecular Systems, Fendler and Fendler, Academic
Press, NY (1975). The disclosures of each of the foregoing
publications are incorporated by reference herein, in their
entirety.
[0115] As noted above, the vesicle composition may comprise
liposomes. A wide variety of methods are available in connection
with the preparation of liposome compositions. Accordingly, the
liposomes may be prepared using any one of a variety of
conventional liposomal preparatory techniques which will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. These techniques include, for
example, solvent dialysis, French press, extrusion (with or without
freeze-thaw), reverse phase evaporation, simple freeze-thaw,
sonication, chelate dialysis, homogenization, solvent infusion,
microemulsification, spontaneous formation, solvent vaporization,
solvent dialysis, French pressure cell technique, controlled
detergent dialysis, and others, each involving the preparation of
the vesicles in various fashions. See, e.g., Madden et al.,
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 1990 53, 37-46, the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety. Suitable freeze-thaw techniques are described, for
example, in International Application Serial No. PCT/US89/05040,
filed Nov. 8, 1989, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety. Methods which involve
freeze-thaw techniques are preferred in connection with the
preparation of liposomes. Preparation of the liposomes may be
carried out in a solution, such as an aqueous saline solution,
aqueous phosphate buffer solution, or sterile water. The liposomes
may also be prepared by various processes which involve shaking or
vortexing. This may be achieved, for example, by the use of a
mechanical shaking device, such as a Wig-L-Bug.TM. (Crescent
Dental, Lyons, Ill.), a Mixomat (Degussa AG, Frankfurt, Germany), a
Capmix (Espe Fabrik Pharmazeutischer Praeparate GMBH & Co.,
Seefeld, Oberay Germany), a Silamat Plus (Vivadent, Lechtenstein),
or a Vibros (Quayle Dental, Sussex, England). Conventional
microemulsification equipment, such as a Microfluidizer.TM.
(Microfluidics, Woburn, Mass.) may also be used.
[0116] Spray drying may be also employed to prepare the gas-filled
vesicles. Utilizing this procedure, the lipids may be pre-mixed in
an aqueous environment and then spray dried to produce gas-filled
vesicles. The vesicles may be stored under a headspace of a desired
gas.
[0117] Many liposomal preparatory techniques which may be adapted
for use in the preparation of vesicle compositions are discussed,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,578; U.K. Patent Application GB
2193095 A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,575; U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,323;
International Application Serial No. PCT/US85/01161; Mayer et al.,
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Vol. 858, pp. 161-168 (1986); Hope
et al., Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Vol. 812, pp. 55-65 (1985);
U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,254; Mayhew et al., Methods in Enzymology, Vol.
149, pp. 64-77 (1987); Mayhew et al., Biochimica et Biophysica
Acta, Vol 755, pp. 169-74 (1984); Cheng et al, Investigative
Radiology, Vol. 22, pp. 47-55 (1987); International Application
Serial No. PCT/US89/05040; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,162,282; 4,310,505;
4,921,706; and Liposome Technology, Gregoriadis, G., ed., Vol. I,
pp. 29-31, 51-67 and 79-108 (CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Fla.
1984), the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein, in their entirety.
[0118] Lipid compositions comprising a gas can be prepared by
agitating an aqueous solution containing, if desired, a stabilizing
material, in the presence of a gas. The term "agitating," as used
herein, means any shaking motion of an aqueous solution such that
gas may be introduced from the local ambient environment into the
aqueous solution. This agitation is preferably conducted at a
temperature below the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition
temperature of the lipid. The shaking involved in the agitation of
the solutions is preferably of sufficient force to result in the
formation of a lipid composition, including vesicle compositions,
and particularly vesicle compositions comprising gas filled
vesicles. The shaking may be by swirling, such as by vortexing,
side-to-side, or up and down motion. Different types of motion may
be combined. Also, the shaking may occur by shaking the container
holding the aqueous lipid solution, or by shaking the aqueous
solution within the container without shaking the container
itself.
[0119] The shaking may occur manually or by machine. Mechanical
shakers that may be used include, for example, a shaker table such
as a VWR Scientific (Cerritos, Calif.) shaker table, as well as any
of the shaking devices described hereinbefore, with the Capmix
(Espe Fabrik Pharmazeutischer Praeparate GMBH & Co., Seefeld,
Oberay Germany) being preferred. It has been found that certain
modes of shaking or vortexing can be used to make vesicles within a
preferred size range. Shaking is preferred, and it is preferred
that the shaking be carried out using the Espe Capmix mechanical
shaker. In accordance with this preferred method, it is preferred
that a reciprocating motion be utilized to generate the lipid
compositions, and particularly vesicle compositions. It is even
more preferred that the motion be reciprocating in the form of an
arc. It is contemplated that the rate of reciprocation, as well as
the arc thereof, is particularly important in connection with the
formation of vesicles. Preferably, the number of reciprocations or
full cycle oscillations may be from about 1000 to about 20,000 per
minute. More preferably, the number of reciprocations or
oscillations may be from about 2500 to about 8000 per minute, with
from about 3300 to about 5000 reciprocations or oscillations per
minute being even more preferred. Of course, the number of
oscillations may be dependent upon the mass of the contents being
agitated. Generally speaking, a larger mass may require fewer
oscillations. Another means for producing shaking includes the
action of gas emitted under high velocity or pressure.
[0120] It will also be understood that preferably, with a larger
volume of aqueous solution, the total amount of force may be
correspondingly increased. Vigorous shaking is defined as at least
about 60 shaking motions per minute, and is preferred. Vortexing at
about 60 to about 300 revolutions per minute is more preferred.
Vortexing at about 300 to about 1800 revolutions per minute is even
more preferred.
[0121] In addition to the simple shaking methods described above,
more elaborate methods can also be employed. Such elaborate methods
include, for example, liquid crystalline shaking gas instillation
processes and vacuum drying gas instillation processes, such as
those described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/076,250,
filed Jun. 11, 1993, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference, in their entirety. Although any of a number of
varying techniques can be used, the vesicle compositions employed
in the present invention are preferably prepared using a shaking
technique. Preferably, the shaking technique involves agitation
with a mechanical shaking apparatus, such as an Espe Capmix
(Seefeld, Oberay Germany), using, for example, the techniques
disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 160,232, filed
Nov. 30, 1993, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
[0122] The size of gas filled vesicles can be adjusted, if desired,
by a variety of procedures, including, for example,
microemulsification, vortexing, extrusion, filtration, sonication,
homogenization, repeated freezing and thawing cycles, extrusion
under pressure through pores of defined size, and similar methods.
Gas filled vesicles prepared in accordance with the methods
described herein can range in size from less than about 1 .mu.m to
greater than about 100 .mu.m. In addition, after extrusion and
sterilization procedures, which are discussed in detail below,
agitation or shaking may provide vesicle compositions which can
contain substantially no or minimal residual anhydrous lipid phase
in the remainder of the solution. (Bangham, A. D., Standish, M. M,
& Watkins, J. C., J. Mol. Biol. Vol. 13, pp. 238-252 (1965). If
desired, the vesicles may be used as they are formed, without any
attempt at further modification of the size thereof. For
intravascular use, the vesicles preferably have diameters of less
than about 30 .mu.m, and more preferably, less than about 12 .mu.m.
For targeted intravascular use including, for example, binding to
certain tissue, such as cancerous tissue, the vesicles may be
significantly smaller, for example, less than about 100 nm in
diameter. For enteric or gastrointestinal use, the vesicles may be
significantly larger, for example, up to a millimeter in size.
Preferably, the vesicles may be sized to have diameters of from
about 2 .mu.m to about 100 .mu.m.
[0123] The gas filled vesicles may be sized by a simple process of
extrusion through filters wherein the filter pore sizes control the
size distribution of the resulting gas filled vesicles. By using
two or more cascaded or stacked set of filters, for example, a 10
.mu.m filter followed by an 8 .mu.m filter, the gas filled vesicles
can be selected to have a very narrow size distribution around 7 to
9 .mu.m. After filtration, these gas filled vesicles can remain
stable for over 24 hours.
[0124] The sizing or filtration step may be accomplished by the
use, for example, of a filter assembly when the composition is
removed from a sterile vial prior to use, or more preferably, the
filter assembly may be incorporated into a syringe during use. The
method of sizing the vesicles will then comprise using a syringe
comprising a barrel, at least one filter, and a needle; and may be
carried out by a step of extracting which comprises extruding the
vesicles from the barrel through the filter fitted to the syringe
between the barrel and the needle, thereby sizing the vesicles
before they are administered to a patient. The step of extracting
may also comprise drawing the vesicles into the syringe, where the
filter may function in the same way to size the vesicles upon
entrance into the syringe. Another alternative is to fill such a
syringe with vesicles which have already been sized by some other
means, in which case the filter may function to ensure that only
vesicles within the desired size range, or of the desired maximum
size, are subsequently administered by extrusion from the
syringe.
[0125] In certain preferred embodiments, the vesicle compositions
may be heat sterilized or filter sterilized and extruded through a
filter prior to shaking. Generally speaking, vesicle compositions
comprising a gas may be heat sterilized, and vesicle compositions
comprising gaseous precursors may be filter sterilized. Once gas
filled vesicles are formed, they may be filtered for sizing as
described above. Performing these steps prior to the formation of
gas and gaseous precursor filled vesicles provide sterile gas
filled vesicles ready for administration to a patient. For example,
a mixing vessel such as a vial or syringe may be filled with a
filtered lipid and/or vesicle composition, and the composition may
be sterilized within the mixing vessel, for example, by
autoclaving. Gas may be instilled into the composition to form gas
filled vesicles by shaking the sterile vessel. Preferably, the
sterile vessel is equipped with a filter positioned such that the
gas filled vesicles pass through the filter before contacting a
patient.
[0126] The step of extruding the solution of lipid compound through
a filter decreases the amount of unhydrated material by breaking up
any dried materials and exposing a greater surface area for
hydration. Preferably, the filter has a pore size of about 0.1 to
about 5 .mu.m, more preferably, about 0.1 to about 4 .mu.m, even
more preferably, about 0.1 to about 2 .mu.m, and still more
preferably, about 1 .mu.m. Unhydrated compound, which is generally
undesirable, appears as amorphous clumps of non-uniform size.
[0127] The sterilization step provides a composition that may be
readily administered to a patient for diagnostic imaging including,
for example, ultrasound or CT. In certain preferred embodiments,
sterilization may be accomplished by heat sterilization,
preferably, by autoclaving the solution at a temperature of at
least about 100.degree. C., and more preferably, by autoclaving at
about 100.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C., even more preferably,
about 110.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C., still more
preferably, about 120.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C., and even
more preferably, about 130.degree. C. Preferably, heating occurs
for at least about 1 minute, more preferably, about 1 to about 30
minutes, even more preferably, about 10 to about 20 minutes, and
still more preferably, about 15 minutes.
[0128] If desired, the extrusion and heating steps, as outlined
above, may be reversed, or only one of the two steps can be used.
Other modes of sterilization may be used, including, for example,
exposure to gamma radiation.
[0129] In addition to the aforementioned embodiments, gaseous
precursors contained in vesicles can be formulated which, upon
activation, for example, by exposure to elevated temperature,
varying pH, or light, may undergo a phase transition from, for
example, a liquid, including a liquid entrapped in a vesicle, to a
gas, expanding to create the gas filled vesicles described herein.
This technique is described in detail in copending patent
applications Ser. No. 08/160,232, filed Nov. 30, 1993 and Ser. No.
08/159,687, filed Nov. 30, 1993, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0130] The preferred method of activating the gaseous precursor is
by exposure to elevated temperature. Activation or transition
temperature, and like terms, refer to the boiling point of the
gaseous precursor and is the temperature at which the liquid to
gaseous phase transition of the gaseous precursor takes place.
Useful gaseous precursors are those materials which have boiling
points in the range of about -100.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C.
The activation temperature is particular to each gaseous precursor.
An activation temperature of about 37.degree. C., or about human
body temperature, is preferred for gaseous precursors in the
context of the present invention. Thus, in preferred form, a liquid
gaseous precursor is activated to become a gas at about 37.degree.
C. or below. The gaseous precursor may be in liquid or gaseous
phase for use in the methods of the present invention.
[0131] The methods of preparing the gaseous precursor filled
vesicles may be carried out below the boiling point of the gaseous
precursor such that a liquid is incorporated, for example, into a
vesicle. In addition, the methods may be conducted at the boiling
point of the gaseous precursor, such that a gas is incorporated,
for example, into a vesicle. For gaseous precursors having low
temperature boiling points, liquid precursors may be emulsified
using a microfluidizer device chilled to a low temperature. The
boiling points may also be depressed using solvents in liquid media
to utilize a precursor in liquid form. Further, the methods may be
performed where the temperature is increased throughout the
process, whereby the process starts with a gaseous precursor as a
liquid and ends with a gas.
[0132] The gaseous precursor may be selected so as to form the gas
in situ in the targeted tissue or fluid, in vivo upon entering the
patient or animal, prior to use, during storage, or during
manufacture. The methods of producing the temperature-activated
gaseous precursor filled vesicles may be carried out at a
temperature below the boiling point of the gaseous precursor. In
this embodiment, the gaseous precursor may be entrapped within a
vesicle such that the phase transition does not occur during
manufacture. Instead, the gaseous precursor filled vesicles are
manufactured in the liquid phase of the gaseous precursor.
Activation of the phase transition may take place at any time as
the temperature is allowed to exceed the boiling point of the
precursor. Also, knowing the amount of liquid in a droplet of
liquid gaseous precursor, the size of the vesicles upon attaining
the gaseous state may be determined.
[0133] Alternatively, the gaseous precursors may be utilized to
create stable gas filled vesicles which are pre-formed prior to
use. In this embodiment, the gaseous precursor may be added to a
container housing a lipid composition at a temperature below the
liquid-gaseous phase transition temperature of the respective
gaseous precursor. As the temperature is increased, and an emulsion
is formed between the gaseous precursor and liquid solution, the
gaseous precursor undergoes transition from the liquid to the
gaseous state. As a result of this heating and gas formation, the
gas displaces the air in the head space above the liquid mixture so
as to form gas filled vesicles which may entrap the gas of the
gaseous precursor, ambient gas (e.g. air), or coentrap gas state
gaseous precursor and ambient air. This phase transition can be
used for optimal mixing and formation of the contrast agent. For
example, the gaseous precursor, perfluorobutane, can be entrapped
in the lipid vesicles and as the temperature is raised beyond the
boiling point of perfluorobutane (4.degree. C.), perfluorobutane
gas is entrapped in the vesicles.
[0134] Accordingly, the gaseous precursors may be selected to form
gas filled vesicles in vivo or may be designed to produce the gas
filled vesicles in situ, during the manufacturing process, on
storage, or at some time prior to use.
[0135] As a further embodiment of this invention, by pre-forming
the gaseous precursor in the liquid state into an aqueous emulsion,
the maximum size of the vesicle may be estimated by using the ideal
gas law, once the transition to the gaseous state is effectuated.
For the purpose of making gas filled vesicles from gaseous
precursors, the gas phase may be assumed to form instantaneously
and substantially no gas in the newly formed vesicle has been
depleted due to diffusion into the liquid, which is generally
aqueous in nature. Hence, from a known liquid volume in the
emulsion, one may predict an upper limit to the size of the gas
filled vesicle.
[0136] In embodiments of the present invention, a mixture of a
lipid compound and a gaseous precursor, containing liquid droplets
of defined size, may be formulated such that upon reaching a
specific temperature, for example, the boiling point of the gaseous
precursor, the droplets may expand into gas filled vesicles of
defined size. The defined size may represent an upper limit to the
actual size because the ideal gas law generally cannot account for
such factors as gas diffusion into solution, loss of gas to the
atmosphere, and the effects of increased pressure.
[0137] The ideal gas law, which can be used for calculating the
increase in the volume of the gas bubbles upon transitioning from
liquid to gaseous states, is as follows:
PV=nRT
[0138] where
[0139] P is pressure in atmospheres (atm);
[0140] V is volume in liters (L);
[0141] n is moles of gas;
[0142] T is temperature in degrees Kelvin (K); and
[0143] R is the ideal gas constant (22.4 L-atm/K-mole).
[0144] With knowledge of volume, density, and temperature of the
liquid in the mixture of liquids, the amount, for example, in
moles, and volume of liquid precursor may be calculated which, when
converted to a gas, may expand into a vesicle of known volume. The
calculated volume may reflect an upper limit to the size of the gas
filled vesicle, assuming instantaneous expansion into a gas filled
vesicle and negligible diffusion of the gas over the time of the
expansion.
[0145] Thus, for stabilization of the precursor in the liquid state
in a mixture wherein the precursor droplet is spherical, the volume
of the precursor droplet may be determined by the equation:
Volume (spherical vesicle)={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sup.3
[0146] where
[0147] r is the radius of the sphere.
[0148] Thus, once the volume is predicted, and knowing the density
of the liquid at the desired temperature, the amount of liquid
gaseous precursor in the droplet may be determined. In more
descriptive terms, the following can be applied:
V.sub.gas={fraction (4/3)}.pi.(r.sub.gas).sup.3
[0149] by the ideal gas law,
PV=nRT
[0150] substituting reveals,
V.sub.gas=nRT/P.sub.gas
[0151] or,
n={fraction (4/3)}[.pi.r.sub.gas.sup.3]P/RT (A)
[0152] amount n={fraction
(4/3)}[.pi.r.sub.gas.sup.3P/RT].multidot.MW.sub.- n
[0153] Converting back to a liquid volume
V.sub.liq=[{fraction
(4/3)}[.pi.r.sub.gas.sup.3]P/RT].multidot.MW.sub.n/D] (B)
[0154] where D is the density of the precursor.
[0155] Solving for the diameter of the liquid droplet,
diameter/2=[3/4.pi.[{fraction
(4/3)}.multidot.[.pi.r.sub.gas.sup.3]P/RT]MW- .sub.n/D].sup.1/3
(C)
[0156] which reduces to
Diameter=2[[r.sub.gas.sup.3]P/RT[MW.sub.n/D]].sup.1/3.
[0157] As a further means of preparing vesicles of the desired size
for use in the methods of the present invention, and with a
knowledge of the volume and especially the radius of the liquid
droplets, one can use appropriately sized filters to size the
gaseous precursor droplets to the appropriate diameter sphere.
[0158] A representative gaseous precursor may be used to form a
vesicle of defined size, for example, 10 .mu.m diameter. In this
example, the vesicle may be formed in the bloodstream of a human
being, thus the typical temperature would be 37.degree. C. or 310
K. At a pressure of 1 atmosphere and using the equation in (A),
7.54.times.10.sup.-17 moles of gaseous precursor may be required to
fill the volume of a 10 .mu.m diameter vesicle.
[0159] Using the above calculated amount of gaseous precursor and
1-fluorobutane, which possesses a molecular weight of 76.11, a
boiling point of 32.5.degree. C. and a density of 0.7789 g/mL at
20.degree. C., further calculations predict that
5.74.times.10.sup.-15 grams of this precursor may be required for a
10 .mu.m vesicle. Extrapolating further, and with the knowledge of
the density, equation (B) further predicts that
8.47.times.10.sup.-16 mL of liquid precursor may be necessary to
form a vesicle with an upper limit of 10 .mu.m.
[0160] Finally, using equation (C), a mixture, for example, an
emulsion containing droplets with a radius of 0.0272 .mu.m or a
corresponding diameter of 0.0544 .mu.m, may be formed to make a
gaseous precursor filled vesicle with an upper limit of a 10 .mu.m
vesicle.
[0161] An emulsion of this particular size could be easily achieved
by the use of an appropriately sized filter. In addition, as seen
by the size of the filter necessary to form gaseous precursor
droplets of defined size, the size of the filter may also suffice
to remove any possible bacterial contaminants and, hence, can be
used as a sterile filtration as well.
[0162] This embodiment for preparing gas filled vesicles may be
applied to all gaseous precursors activated by temperature. In
fact, depression of the freezing point of the solvent system allows
the use of gaseous precursors which may undergo liquid-to-gas phase
transitions at temperatures below 0.degree. C. The solvent system
can be selected to provide a medium for suspension of the gaseous
precursor. For example, 20% propylene glycol miscible in buffered
saline exhibits a freezing point depression well below the freezing
point of water alone. By increasing the amount of propylene glycol
or adding materials such as sodium chloride, the freezing point can
be depressed even further.
[0163] The selection of appropriate solvent systems may be
determined by physical methods as well. When substances, solid or
liquid, herein referred to as solutes, are dissolved in a solvent,
such as water based buffers, the freezing point may be lowered by
an amount that is dependent upon the composition of the solution.
Thus, as defined by Wall, one can express the freezing point
depression of the solvent by the following equation:
Inx.sub.aIn(1-x.sub.b)=.DELTA.H.sub.fus/R(1/T.sub.o-1/T)
[0164] where
[0165] x.sub.a is the mole fraction of the solvent;
[0166] x.sub.b is the mole fraction of the solute;
[0167] .DELTA.H.sub.fus is the heat of fusion of the solvent;
and
[0168] T.sub.o is the normal freezing point of the solvent.
[0169] The normal freezing point of the solvent can be obtained by
solving the equation. If x.sub.b is small relative to x.sub.a, then
the above equation may be rewritten as follows.
x.sup.b=.DELTA.H.sub.fus/R[T-T.sub.o/T.sub.oT].apprxeq..DELTA.H.sub.fus.DE-
LTA.T/RT.sub.o.sup.2
[0170] The above equation assumes the change in temperature
.DELTA.T is small compared to T.sub.2. This equation can be
simplified further by expressing the concentration of the solute in
terms of molality, m (moles of solute per thousand grams of
solvent). Thus, the equation can be rewritten as follows.
X.sub.b=m/[m+1000/m.sub.a].apprxeq.mMa/1000
[0171] where Ma is the molecular weight of the solvent.
[0172] Thus, substituting for the fraction x.sub.b:
.DELTA.T=[M.sub.aRT.sub.o.sup.2/1000.DELTA.H.sub.fus]m
or
.DELTA.T=K.sub.fm, where
K.sub.f=M.sub.aRT.sub.o.sup.2/1000.DELTA.H.sub.fus
[0173] K.sub.f is the molal freezing point and is equal to 1.86
degrees per unit of molal concentration for water at one atmosphere
pressure. The above equation may be used to accurately determine
the molal freezing point of solutions of gaseous-precursor filled
vesicles. Accordingly, the above equation can be applied to
estimate freezing point depressions and to determine the
appropriate concentrations of liquid or solid solute necessary to
depress the solvent freezing temperature to an appropriate
value.
[0174] Methods of preparing the temperature activated gaseous
precursor filled vesicles include:
[0175] (a) vortexing and/or shaking an aqueous mixture of gaseous
precursor and additional materials as desired, including, for
example, stabilizing materials, thickening agents and/or dispersing
agents. Optional variations of this method include autoclaving
before vortexing or shaking; heating an aqueous mixture of gaseous
precursor; venting the vessel containing the mixture/suspension;
shaking or permitting the gaseous precursor filled vesicle to form
spontaneously and cooling down the suspension of gaseous precursor
filled vesicles; and extruding an aqueous suspension of gaseous
precursor through a filter of about 0.22 .mu.m. Alternatively,
filtering may be performed during in vivo administration of the
vesicles such that a filter of about 0.22 .mu.m is employed;
[0176] (b) microemulsification, whereby an aqueous mixture of
gaseous precursor is emulsified by agitation and heated to form,
for example, vesicles prior to administration to a patient;
[0177] (c) heating a gaseous precursor in a mixture, with or
without agitation, whereby the less dense gaseous precursor filled
vesicles may float to the top of the solution by expanding and
displacing other vesicles in the vessel and venting the vessel to
release air; and
[0178] (d) utilizing in any of the above methods a sealed vessel to
hold the aqueous suspension of gaseous precursor and maintaining
the suspension at a temperature below the phase transition
temperature of the gaseous precursor, followed by autoclaving to
raise the temperature above the phase transition temperature,
optionally with shaking, or permitting the gaseous precursor
vesicle to form spontaneously, whereby the expanded gaseous
precursor in the sealed vessel increases the pressure in the
vessel, and cooling down the gas filled vesicle suspension, after
which shaking may also take place.
[0179] Freeze drying may be useful to remove water and organic
materials prior to the shaking installation method. Drying
installation methods may be used to remove water from vesicles. By
pre-entrapping the gaseous precursor in the dried vesicles (i.e.
prior to drying) after warming, the gaseous precursor may expand to
fill the vesicle. Gaseous precursors can also be used to fill dried
vesicles after they have been subjected to vacuum. As the dried
vesicles are kept at a temperature below their gel state to liquid
crystalline temperature, the drying chamber can be slowly filled
with the gaseous precursor in its gaseous state. For example,
perfluorobutane can be used to fill dried vesicles at temperatures
above 4.degree. C. (the boiling point of perfluorobutane).
[0180] Preferred methods for preparing the temperature activated
gaseous precursor filled vesicles comprise shaking an aqueous
solution having a lipid compound in the presence of a gaseous
precursor at a temperature below the liquid state to gas state
phase transition temperature of the gaseous precursor. This is
preferably conducted at a temperature below the gel state to liquid
crystalline state phase transition temperature of the lipid. The
mixture may be then heated to a temperature above the liquid state
to gas state phase transition temperature of the gaseous precursor
which can cause the precursor to volatilize and expand. Heating may
be then discontinued, and the temperature of the mixture may be
allowed to drop below the liquid state to gas state phase
transition temperature of the gaseous precursor. Shaking of the
mixture may take place during the heating step, or subsequently
after the mixture is allowed to cool.
[0181] Other methods for preparing gaseous precursor filled
vesicles can involve shaking an aqueous solution of, for example, a
lipid and a gaseous precursor, and separating the resulting gaseous
precursor filled vesicles.
[0182] Conventional, aqueous-filled liposomes of the prior art are
routinely formed at a temperature above the phase transition
temperature of the lipids used to make them, since they are more
flexible and thus useful in biological systems in the liquid
crystalline state. See, for example, Szoka and Papahadjopoulos,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1978, 75, 4194-4198. In contrast, the
vesicles made according to certain preferred embodiments described
herein are gaseous precursor filled, which imparts greater
flexibility, since gaseous precursors after gas formation are more
compressible and compliant than an aqueous solution.
[0183] The preparatory methods may involve shaking an aqueous
solution comprising a lipid, in the presence of a temperature
activatable gaseous precursor. Preferably, the shaking is of
sufficient force such that a foam is formed within a short period
of time, such as about 30 minutes, and preferably within about 20
minutes, and more preferably, within about 10 minutes. The shaking
may involve microemulsifying, microfluidizing, swirling (such as by
vortexing), side-to-side, or up and down motion. In the case of the
addition of gaseous precursor in the liquid state, sonication may
be used in addition to the shaking methods set forth above.
Further, different types of motion may be combined. Also, the
shaking may occur by shaking the container holding the aqueous
lipid solution, or by shaking the aqueous solution within the
container without shaking the container itself. Further, the
shaking may occur manually or by machine. Mechanical shakers that
may be used include, for example, the mechanical shakers described
hereinbefore, with an Espe Capmix (Seefeld, Oberay Germany) being
preferred. Another means for producing shaking includes the action
of gaseous precursor emitted under high velocity or pressure.
[0184] According to the methods described herein, a gas, such as
air, may also be provided by the local ambient atmosphere. The
local ambient atmosphere can include the atmosphere within a sealed
container, as well as the external environment. Alternatively, for
example, a gas may be injected into or otherwise added to the
container having the aqueous lipid solution or into the aqueous
lipid solution itself to provide a gas other than air. Gases that
are lighter than air are generally added to a sealed container,
while gases heavier than air can be added to a sealed or an
unsealed container. Accordingly, the present invention includes
co-entrapment of air and/or other gases along with gaseous
precursors.
[0185] Hence, the gaseous precursor filled vesicles can be used in
substantially the same manner as the gas filled vesicles described
herein, once activated by application to the tissues of a host,
where such factors as temperature or pH may be used to cause
generation of the gas. It is preferred that the gaseous precursors
undergo phase transitions from liquid to gaseous states at near the
normal body temperature of the host, and are thereby activated, for
example, by the in vivo temperature of the host so as to undergo
transition to the gaseous phase therein. This can occur where, for
example, the host tissue is human tissue having a normal
temperature of about 37.degree. C. and the gaseous precursors
undergo phase transitions from liquid to gaseous states near
37.degree. C.
[0186] As noted above, the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be
sterilized by autoclave or sterile filtration if these processes
are performed before the installation step or prior to temperature
mediated conversion of the temperature sensitive gaseous precursors
within the compositions. Alternatively, one or more
anti-bactericidal agents and/or preservatives may be included in
the formulation of the compositions, such as sodium benzoate,
quaternary ammonium salts, sodium azide, methyl paraben, propyl
paraben, sorbic acid, ascorbylpalmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole,
butylated hydroxytoluene, chlorobutanol, dehydroacetic acid,
ethylenediamine, monothioglycerol, potassium benzoate, potassium
metabisulfite, potassium sorbate, sodium bisulfite, sulfur dioxide,
and organic mercurial salts. Such sterilization, which may also be
achieved by other conventional means, such as by irradiation, may
be necessary where the stabilized vesicles are used for imaging
under invasive circumstances, for example, intravascularly or
intraperitonealy. The appropriate means of sterilization will be
apparent to the artisan based on the present disclosure.
[0187] Vesicle compositions which comprise vesicles formulated from
proteins (also referred to as protein encapsulated microbubbles),
such as albumin vesicles, may be prepared by various processes, as
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, once armed
with the present disclosure. Suitable methods include those
described, for example, in Feinstein, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,572,203,
4,718,433 and 4,774,958, and Cerny et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,656,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference, in their entirety. Included among the methods described
in the aforementioned patents for the preparation of protein-based
vesicles are methods which involve sonicating a solution of a
protein. In preferred form, the starting material may be an aqueous
solution of a heat-denaturable, water-soluble biocompatible
protein. The encapsulating protein is preferably heat-sensitive so
that it can be partially insolubilized by heating during
sonication. Suitable heat-sensitive proteins include, for example,
albumin, hemoglobin, collagen, and the like. Preferably, the
protein is a human protein, with human serum albumin (HSA) being
more preferred. HSA is available commercially as a sterile 5%
aqueous solution, which is suitable for use in the preparation of
protein-based vesicles. Of course, as would be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art, other concentrations of albumin, as well
as other proteins which are heat-denaturable, can be used to
prepare the vesicles. Generally speaking, the concentration of HSA
can vary and may range from about 0.1 to about 25% by weight, and
all combinations and subcombinations of ranges therein. It may be
preferable, in connection with certain methods for the preparation
of protein-based vesicles, to utilize the protein in the form of a
dilute aqueous solution. For albumin, it may be preferred to
utilize an aqueous solution containing from about 0.5 to about 7.5%
by weight albumin, with concentrations of less than about 5% by
weight being preferred, for example, from about 0.5 to about 3% by
weight.
[0188] The protein-based vesicles may be prepared using equipment
which is commercially available. For example, in connection with a
feed preparation operation as disclosed, for example, in Cerny, et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,656, stainless steel tanks which are
commercially available from Walker Stainless Equipment Co. (New
Lisbon, Wis.), and process filters which are commercially available
from Millipore (Bedford, Mass.), may be utilized.
[0189] The sonication operation may utilize both a heat exchanger
and a flow through sonciating vessel, in series. Heat exhanger
equipment of this type may be obatined from ITT Standard (Buffalo,
N.Y.). The heat exchanger maintains operating temperature for the
sonciation process, with temperature controls ranging from about
65.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C., depending on the makeup of
the media. The vibration frequency of the sonication equipment may
vary over a wide range, for example, from about 5 to about 40
kilohertz (kHz), with a majority of the commerically available
sonicators operating at about 10 or 20 kHz. Suitable sonicating
equipment include, for example, a Sonics & Materials
Vibra-Cell, equipped with a flat-tipped sonicator horn,
commercially available from Sonics & Materials, Inc. (Danbury,
Conn.). The power applied to the sonicator horn can be varied over
power settings scaled from 1 to 10 by the manufacturer, as with
Sonics & Materials Vibra-Cell Model VL1500. An intermediate
power setting, for example, from 5 to 9, can be used. It is
preferred that the vibrational frequency and the power supplied be
sufficeint to produce cavitation in the liquid being sonicated.
Feed flow rates may range from at about 50 mL/min to about 1000
mL/min, and all combinations and subcombinations of ranges therein.
Residence times in the sonication vessel can range from about 1
second to about 4 minutes, and gaseous fluid addition rates may
range from about 10 cubic centimeters (cc) per minute to about 100
cc/min, or 5% to 25% of the feed flow rate, and all combinations
and subcombinations of ranges therein.
[0190] It may be preferable to carry out the sonication in such a
manner to produce foaming, and especially intense foaming, of the
solution. Generally speaking, intense foaming and aerosolating are
important for obtaining a contrast agent having enhanced
concentration and stability. To promote foaiming, the power input
to the sonicator horn may be increased, and the process may be
operated under mild pressure, for example, about 1 to about 5 psi.
Foaming may be easily detected by the cloudy appearance of the
solution, and by the foam produced.
[0191] Suitable methods for the preparation of protein-based
vesicles may also involve physically or chemically altering the
protein or protein derivative in aqueous solution to denature or
fix the material. For example, protein-based vesicles may be
prepared from a 5% aqueous solution of HSA by heating after
formation or during formation of the contrast agent via sonication.
Chemical alteration may involve chemically denaturing or fixing by
binding the protein with a difunctional aldehyde, such as
gluteraldehyde. For example, the vesicles may be reacted with 0.25
grams of 50% aqueous gluteradehyde per gram of protein at pH 4.5
for 6 hours. The unreacted gluteraldehyde may then be washed away
from the protein.
[0192] Vesicle compositions which comprise vesicles formulated from
polymers may be prepared by various processes, as will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, once armed with the present
disclosure. Exemplary processes include, for example, interfacial
polymerization, phase separation and coacervation, multiorifice
centrifugal preparation, and solvent evaporation. Suitable
procedures which may be employed or modified in accordance with the
present disclosure to prepare vesicles from polymers include those
procedures disclosed in Garner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,546,
Garner, U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,956, Cohrs et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,108,806, Japan Kokai Tokkyo Koho 62 286534, British Patent No.
1,044,680, Kenaga et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,114, Morehouse et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,475, Walters, U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,811,
Walters et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,714, Morehouse et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 3,615,972, Baker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,892, Sands et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,629, Sands et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,421,562, Sands, U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,442, Mathiowitz et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 4,898,734, Lencki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,534, Herbig
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,172, Himmel et al., U.S. Pat. No.
3,594,326, Sommerville et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,128, Deasy,
Microencapsulation and Related Drug Processes, Vol. 20, Chs. 9 and
10, pp. 195-240 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., N.Y., 1984), Chang et al.,
Canadian J. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Vol 44, pp. 115-129
(1966), and Chang, Science, Vol. 146, pp. 524-525 (1964), the
disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
[0193] In accordance with a preferred synthesis protocol, the
vesicles may be prepared using a heat expansion process, such as,
for example, the process described in Garner et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,179,546, Garner, U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,956, Cohrs et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 4,108,806, British Patent No. 1,044,680, and Japan Kokai Tokkyo
Koho 62 286534. In general terms, the heat expansion process may be
carried out by preparing vesicles of an expandable polymer or
copolymer which may contain in their void (cavity) a volatile
liquid (gaseous precursor). The vesicle is then heated,
plasticising the vesicle and converting the volatile liquid into a
gas, causing the vesicle to expand to up to about several times its
original size. When the heat is removed, the thermoplastic polymer
retains at least some of its expanded shape. Vesicles produced by
this process tend to be of particularly low density, and are thus
preferred. The foregoing described process is well known in the
art, and may be referred to as the heat expansion process for
preparing low density vesicles.
[0194] Polymers useful in the heat expansion process will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art and include
thermoplastic polymers or copolymers, including polymers or
copolymers of many of the monomers described above. Preferable of
the polymers and copolymers described above include the following
copolymers: polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile,
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile-polymethyl-methacrylate, and
polystyrene-polyacrylonitrile. A most preferred copolymer is
polyvinylidene-polyacrylonitrile.
[0195] Volatile liquids useful in the heat expansion process will
also be well known to those skilled in the art and include:
aliphatic hydrocarbons such as ethane, ethylene, propane, propene,
butane, isobutane, neopentane, acetylene, hexane, heptane;
chlorofluorocarbons such as CCl.sub.3F, CCl.sub.2F.sub.3,
CClF.sub.3, CClF.sub.2--CCl.sub.2F.- sub.2,
chloroheptafluorocyclobutane, and
1,2-dichlorohexafluorocyclobutane- ; tetraalkyl silanes, such as
tetramethyl silane, trimethylethyl silane, trimethylisopropyl
silane, and trimethyl n-propyl silane; as well as perfluorocarbons,
including the perfluorocarbons described above. In general, it is
important that the volatile liquid not be a solvent for the polymer
or copolymer being utilized. It is also preferred that the volatile
liquid have a boiling point that is below the softening point of
the involved polymer or co-polymer. Boiling points of various
volatile liquids and softening points of various polymers and
copolymers will be readily ascertainable to one skilled in the art,
and suitable combinations of polymers or copolymers and volatile
liquids will be easily apparent to the skilled artisan. By way of
guidance, and as one skilled in the art would recognize, generally
as the length of the carbon chain of the volatile liquid increases,
the boiling point of that liquid increases also. Also, mildly
preheating the vesicles in water in the presence of hydrogen
peroxide prior to definitive heating and expansion may pre-soften
the vesicle to allow expansion to occur more readily.
[0196] For example, to produce vesicles from synthetic polymers,
vinylidene and acrylonitrile may be copolymerized in a medium of
isobutane liquid using one or more of the foregoing modified or
unmodified literature procedures, such that isobutane becomes
entrapped within the vesicles. When such vesicles are then heated
to a temperature of from about 80.degree. C. to about 120.degree.
C., the isobutane gas expands, which in turn expands the vesicles.
After heat is removed, the expanded polyvinylidene and
acrylo-nitrile copolymer vesicles remain substantially fixed in
their expanded position. The resulting low density vesicles are
extremely stable both dry and suspended in an aqueous media.
Isobutane is utilized herein merely as an illustrative liquid, with
the understanding that other liquids which undergo liquid/gas
transitions at temperatures useful for the synthesis of these
vesicles and formation of the very low density vesicles upon
heating can be substituted for isobutane. Similarly, monomers other
than vinylidene and acrylonitrile may be employed in preparing the
vesicles.
[0197] In certain preferred embodiments, the vesicles which are
formulated from synthetic polymers and which may be employed in the
methods of the present invention are commercially available from
Expancel, Nobel Industries (Sundsvall, Sweden), including EXPANCEL
551 DE.TM. microspheres. The EXPANCEL 551 DE.TM. microspheres are
composed of a copolymer of vinylidene and acrylonitrile which have
encapsulated therein isobutane liquid. Such microspheres are sold
as a dry composition and are approximately 50 microns in size. The
EXPANCEL 551 DE.TM. microspheres have a specific gravity of only
0.02 to 0.05, which is between one-fiftieth and one-twentieth the
density of water.
[0198] As with the preparation of lipid and/or vesicle
compositions, a wide variety of techniques are available for the
preparation of lipid and/or vesicle formulations. For example,
lipid and/or vesicle formulations may be prepared from a mixture of
lipid compounds, bioactive agent and gas or gaseous precursor. In
this case, lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be prepared as
described above in which the compositions also comprise bioactive
agent. Thus, for example, micelles can be prepared in the presence
of a bioactive agent. In connection with lipid and/or vesicle
compositions which comprise a gas, the preparation can involve, for
example, bubbling a gas directly into a mixture of lipid compounds
and one or more additional materials. Alternatively, the lipid
and/or vesicle compositions may be preformed from lipid compounds
and gas or gaseous precursor. In the latter case, the bioactive
agent may be then added to the lipid and/or vesicle composition
prior to use. For example, an aqueous mixture of liposomes and gas
may be prepared to which the bioactive agent may be added and which
is agitated to provide the liposome formulation. The liposome
formulation can be readily isolated since the gas and/or bioactive
agent filled liposome vesicles generally float to the top of the
aqueous solution. Excess bioactive agent can be recovered from the
remaining aqueous solution.
[0199] As those skilled in the art will recognize, any of the lipid
and/or vesicle compositions and lipid and/or vesicle formulations
may be lyophilized for storage, and reconstituted, for example,
with an aqueous medium (such as sterile water, phosphate buffered
solution, or aqueous saline solution), with the aid of vigorous
agitation. To prevent agglutination or fusion of the lipids as a
result of lyophilization, it may be useful to include additives
which prevent such fusion or agglutination from occurring.
Additives which may be useful include sorbitol, mannitol, sodium
chloride, glucose, trehalose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and
poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), for example, PEG polymers having a
molecular weight of from about 400 to about 10,000, with PEG
polymers having molecular weights of about 1000, 3000 (such as
PEG3350) and 5000 being preferred. These and other additives are
described in the literature, such as in the U.S. Pharmacopeia, USP
XXII, NF XVII, The United States Pharmacopeia, The National
Formulary, United States Pharmacopeial Convention Inc., 12601
Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Md. 20852, the disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Lyophilized preparations generally have the advantage of greater
shelf life.
[0200] As discussed above, the compositions of the present
invention, including gas and/or gaseous precursor filled vesicles,
are useful as contrast agents for diagnostic imaging, including,
for example, ultrasound (US) imaging, computed tomography (CT)
imaging, including CT angiography (CTA) imaging, magnetic resonance
(MR) imaging, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), nuclear
medicine, optical imaging and elastography.
[0201] In accordance with the present invention, there are provided
methods of imaging one or more regions of a patient. The present
invention also provides methods for diagnosing the presence or
absence of diseased tissue in a patient. The methods of the present
invention involve the administration of a contrast medium in the
form, for example, of a lipid and/or vesicle composition, to a
patient. The patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging including,
for example ultrasound imaging, to obtain visible images of an
internal region of a patient. The methods are especially useful in
providing images of the heart region, the gastrointestinal region
or the lymphatic system, but can also be employed more broadly to
image other internal regions of the patient including, for example,
the vasculature. The phrase "gastrointestinal region" or
"gastrointestinal tract," as used herein, includes the region of a
patient defined by the esophagus, stomach, small and large
intestines and rectum. The present methods can also be used in
connection with the delivery of a bioactive agent to an internal
region of a patient.
[0202] If desired, the lipid and/or vesicle compositions described
herein may further comprise a targeting agent to promote targeting
of tissues and/or receptors in vivo including, for example,
myocardial tissue. Suitable targeting agents, methods for their
incorporation into lipid and/or vesicle compositions, and methods
for the use of such targeted compositions, are described, for
example, in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/640,464, filed
May 1, 1996, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0203] As one skilled in the art would recognize, administration of
the lipid and/or vesicle compositions described herein can be
carried out in various fashions, including parenterally, orally, or
intraperitoneally. Parenteral administration, which is preferred,
includes administration by the following routes: intravenous;
intramuscular; interstitially; intra-arterially; subcutaneous;
intraocular; intrasynovial; transepithelial, including transdermal;
pulmonary via inhalation; ophthalmic; sublingual and buccal;
topically, including ophthalmic; dermal; ocular; rectal; and nasal
inhalation via insufflation. Intravenous administration is
preferred among the routes of parenteral administration. The useful
dosage to be administered and the particular mode of administration
will vary depending upon the age, weight and the particular mammal
and region thereof to be scanned, and the particular contrast agent
employed. Typically, dosage is initiated at lower levels and
increased until the desired contrast enhancement is achieved.
Various combinations of the lipid compositions may be used to alter
properties as desired, including viscosity, osmolarity or
palatability. In carrying out the imaging methods of the present
invention, the contrast medium can be used alone, or in combination
with diagnostic, therapeutic or other agents. Such other agents
include excipients such as flavoring or coloring materials. CT
imaging techniques which are employed are conventional and are
described, for example, in Computed Body Tomography, Lee, J. K. T.,
Sagel, S. S., and Stanley, R. J., eds., 1983, Ravens Press, New
York, N.Y., especially the first two chapters thereof entitled
"Physical Principles and Instrumentation", Ter-Pogossian, M. M.,
and "Techniques", Aronberg, D. J., the disclosures of which are
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
[0204] In the case of diagnostic applications, such as ultrasound
and CT, energy, such as ultrasonic energy, may be applied to at
least a portion of the patient to image the target tissue. A
visible image of an internal region of the patient may be then
obtained, such that the presence or absence of diseased tissue can
be ascertained. With respect to ultrasound, ultrasonic imaging
techniques, including second harmonic imaging, and gated imaging,
are well known in the art, and are described, for example, in
Uhlendorf, "Physics of Ultrasound Contrast Imaging: Scattering in
the Linear Range", IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics,
Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, Vol. 14(1), pp. 70-79 (1994)
and Sutherland, et al., "Color Doppler Myocardial Imaging: A New
Technique for the Assessment of Myocardial Function", Journal of
the American Society of Echocardiography, Vol. 7(5), pp. 441-458
(1994), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
[0205] Ultrasound can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic
purposes. In diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound waves or a train of
pulses of ultrasound may be applied with a transducer. The
ultrasound is generally pulsed rather than continuous, although it
may be continuous, if desired. Thus, diagnostic ultrasound
generally involves the application of a pulse of echoes, after
which, during a listening period, the ultrasound transducer
receives reflected signals. Harmonics, ultraharmonics or
subharmonics may be used. The second harmonic mode may be
beneficially employed, in which the 2x frequency may be received,
where x is the incidental frequency. This may serve to decrease the
signal from the background material and enhance the signal from the
transducer using the targeted contrast media of the present
invention which may be targeted to the desired site. Other
harmonics signals, such as odd harmonics signals, for example, 3x
or 5x, may be similarly received using this method. Subharmonic
signals, for example, x/2 and x/3, may also be received and
processed so as to form an image.
[0206] In addition to the pulsed method, continuous wave
ultrasound, for example, Power Doppler, may be applied. This may be
particularly useful where rigid vesicles, for example, vesicles
formulated from polymethyl methacrylate or cyanomethacrylate, are
employed. In this case, the relatively higher energy of the Power
Doppler may be made to resonate the vesicles and thereby promote
their rupture. This can create acoustic emissions which may be in
the subharmonic or ultraharmonic range or, in some cases, in the
same frequency as the applied ultrasound. It is contemplated that
there may be a spectrum of acoustic signatures released in this
process and the transducer so employed may receive the acoustic
emissions to detect, for example, the presence of a clot. In
addition, the process of vesicle rupture may be employed to
transfer kinetic energy to the surface, for example of a clot to
promote clot lysis. Thus, therapeutic thrombolysis may be achieved
during a combination of diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound.
Spectral Doppler may also be employed. In general, the levels of
energy from diagnostic ultrasound are insufficient to promote the
rupture of vesicles and to facilitate release and cellular uptake
of the bioactive agents. As noted above, diagnostic ultrasound may
involve the application of one or more pulses of sound. Pauses
between pulses permits the reflected sonic signals to be received
and analyzed. The limited number of pulses used in diagnostic
ultrasound limits the effective energy which is delivered to the
tissue that is being studied.
[0207] Higher energy ultrasound, for example, ultrasound which is
generated by therapeutic ultrasound equipment, is generally capable
of causing rupture of the vesicle species. In general, devices for
therapeutic ultrasound employ from about 10 to about 100% duty
cycles, depending on the area of tissue to be treated with the
ultrasound. Areas of the body which are generally characterized by
larger amounts of muscle mass, for example, backs and thighs, as
well as highly vascularized tissues, such as heart tissue, may
require a larger duty cycle, for example, up to about 100%.
[0208] In therapeutic ultrasound, continuous wave ultrasound is
used to deliver higher energy levels. For the rupture of vesicles,
continuous wave ultrasound is preferred, although the sound energy
may be pulsed also. If pulsed sound energy is used, the sound will
generally be pulsed in echo train lengths of from about 8 to about
20 or more pulses at a time. Preferably, the echo train lengths are
about 20 pulses at a time. In addition, the frequency of the sound
used may vary from about 0.025 to about 100 megahertz (MHz). In
general, frequency for therapeutic ultrasound preferably ranges
between about 0.75 and about 3 MHz, with from about 1 and about 2
MHz being more preferred. In addition, energy levels may vary from
about 0.5 Watt (W) per square centimeter (cm.sup.2) to about 5.0
W/cm.sup.2, with energy levels of from about 0.5 to about 2.5
W/cm.sup.2 being preferred. Energy levels for therapeutic
ultrasound involving hyperthermia are generally from about 5
W/cm.sup.2 to about 50 W/cm.sup.2. For very small vesicles, for
example, vesicles having a diameter of less than about 0.5 .mu.m,
higher frequencies of sound are generally preferred. This is
because smaller vesicles may be capable of absorbing sonic energy
more effectively at higher frequencies of sound. When very high
frequencies are used, for example, greater than about 10 MHz, the
sonic energy may penetrate fluids and tissues to a limited depth
only. Thus, external application of the sonic energy may be
suitable for skin and other superficial tissues. However, it is
generally necessary for deep structures to focus the ultrasonic
energy so that it is preferentially directed within a focal zone.
Alternatively, the ultrasonic energy may be applied via
interstitial probes, intravascular ultrasound catheters or
endoluminal catheters. Such probes or catheters may be used, for
example, in the esophagus for the diagnosis and/or treatment of
esophageal carcinoma. In addition to the therapeutic uses discussed
above, the compositions described herein can be employed in
connection with esophageal carcinoma or in the coronary arteries
for the treatment of atherosclerosis, as well as the therapeutic
uses described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,319, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference,
in their entirety.
[0209] A therapeutic ultrasound device may be used which employs
two frequencies of ultrasound. The first frequency may be x, and
the second frequency may be 2x. In preferred form, the device would
be designed such that the focal zones of the first and second
frequencies converge to a single focal zone. The focal zone of the
device may then be directed to the compositions, for example,
vesicle compositions, within the tissue in the region of interest.
This ultrasound device may provide second harmonic therapy with
simultaneous application of the x and 2x frequencies of ultrasound
energy. It is contemplated that, in the case of ultrasound
involving vesicles, this second harmonic therapy may provide
improved rupturing of vesicles as compared to ultrasound energy
involving a single frequency. Also, it is contemplated that the
preferred frequency range may reside within the fundamental
harmonic frequencies of the vesicles. Lower energy may also be used
with this device. An ultrasound device which may be employed in
connection with the aforementioned second harmonic therapy is
described, for example, in Kawabata, K. et al., Ultrasonics
Sonochemistry, Vol. 3, pp. 1-5 (1996), the disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0210] In the case of vesicle compositions formulated from lipids,
the concentration of lipid required to form a desired stabilized
vesicle level may vary depending upon the type of lipid used, and
may be readily determined by routine experimentation. For example,
in preferred embodiments, the concentration of
1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) used to form stabilized
vesicles according to the methods of the present invention may be
from about 0.1 mg/mL to about 30 mg/mL of saline solution, more
preferably from about 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL of saline
solution, and even more preferably from about 1 mg/mL to about 10
mg/mL of saline solution. The concentration of
distearoylphosphatidylchol- ine (DSPC) used in preferred
embodiments may be from about 0.1 mg/mL to about 30 mg/mL of saline
solution, more preferably from about 0.5 mg/mL to about 20 mg/mL of
saline solution, and even more preferably from about 1 mg/mL to
about 10 mg/mL of saline solution. The amount of composition which
is administered to a patient can vary. Typically, the IV dose may
be less than about 10 mL for a 70 Kg patient, with lower doses
being preferred.
[0211] The compositions described herein, and especially the
vesicle compositions, are useful as contrast media in diagnostic
imaging, and may also be suitable for use in all areas where
diagnostic imaging is employed. However, the stabilized vesicles
are particularly useful for perfusion imaging.
[0212] In accordance with the present invention, there are provided
methods of imaging a patient generally, and/or in specifically
diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in a patient. The
imaging process of the present invention may be carried out by
administering a contrast agent to a patient, and then scanning the
patient using, for example, ultrasound, computed tomography, and/or
magnetic resonance imaging, to obtain visible images of an internal
region of a patient and/or of any diseased tissue in that region.
The term "region of a patient" refers to the whole patient or a
particular area or portion of the patient. The contrast agent may
be particularly useful in providing images of the gastrointestinal
and cardiovascular regions, but can also be employed more broadly,
such as in imaging the vasculature or in other ways as will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Cardiovascular
region, as that phrase is used herein, denotes the region of the
patient defined by the heart and the vasculature leading directly
to and from the heart. The phrase vasculature, as used herein,
denotes the blood vessels (including arteries, veins and the like)
in the body or in an organ or part of the body. The patient can be
any type of mammal, but most preferably is a human.
[0213] The present invention also provides methods of diagnosing
the presence of diseased tissue in a patient. Diseased tissue
includes, for example, endothelial tissue which results from
vasculature that supports diseased tissue. As a result, the
localization and visualization of endothelial tissue to a region of
a patient which under normal circumstances is not associated with
endothelial tissue provides an indication of diseased tissue in the
region.
[0214] As noted above, administration of the compositions described
herein may be carried out in various fashions, such as
intravascularly, orally, rectally, and the like, using a variety of
dosage forms. When the region to be scanned is the cardiovascular
region, administration of the contrast medium is preferably carried
out intravascularly. When the region to be scanned is the
gastrointestinal region, administration of the contrast medium is
preferably carried out orally or rectally. The useful dosage to be
administered and the particular mode of administration will vary
depending upon the age, weight and the particular mammal and region
thereof to be scanned, and the particular contrast medium to be
employed. Typically, dosage may be initiated at lower levels and
increased until the desired contrast enhancement is achieved.
Various combinations of the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may
be used to modify the relaxation behavior of the medium or to alter
properties such as the viscosity, osmolarity or palatability (in
the case of orally administered materials). The present invention
may be performed with ultrasound or computed tomography according
to conventional methods known by skilled artisans. Ultrasound is a
diagnostic imaging technique which is unlike nuclear medicine and
X-rays since it does not expose the patient to the harmful effects
of ionizing radiation. Moreover, unlike magnetic resonance imaging,
ultrasound is relatively inexpensive and can be conducted as a
portable examination. In using the ultrasound technique, sound is
transmitted into a patient or animal via a transducer. When the
sound waves propagate through the body, they encounter interfaces
from tissues and fluids. Depending on the acoustic properties of
the tissues and fluids in the body, the ultrasound sound waves are
partially or wholly reflected or absorbed. When sound waves are
reflected by an interface they are detected by the receiver in the
transducer and processed to form an image. The acoustic properties
of the tissues and fluids within the body determine the contrast
which appears in the resultant image. Computed tomography imaging
principles and techniques which are employed are conventional and
are described, for example, in Computed Body Tomography, Lee, J. K.
T., Sagel, S. S., and Stanley, R. J., eds., Ch. 1, pp. 1-7 (Raven
Press, NY 1983). In carrying out the magnetic resonance imaging
method of the present invention, the contrast agent can be used
alone, or in combination with other diagnostic, therapeutic or
other agents. Such other agents include excipients such as
flavoring or coloring materials. The magnetic resonance imaging
techniques which are employed are conventional and are described,
for example, in D. M. Kean and M. A. Smith, Magnetic Resonance
Imaging: Principles and Applications, (William and Wilkins,
Baltimore 1986). Contemplated MRI techniques include, but are not
limited to, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electronic spin
resonance (ESR). The preferred imaging modality is NMR.
[0215] As noted above, the concentration of vesicles, especially
the concentration of echogenic vesicles, referred to herein as
"vesicle concentration," may be important with respect to the
effectiveness of contrast agents based on vesicles. It is preferred
that the vesicle compositions described herein have a vesicle
concentration of at least about 1.times.10.sup.8 vesicles/mL, as
measured with a Model 770 AccuSizer (Particle Sizing Systems, Santa
Barbara, Calif.). More preferably, the vesicle compositions have
vesicle concentrations of at least about 1.times.10.sup.9
vesicles/mL, with concentrations of about 1.5.times.10.sup.9
vesicles/mL being even more preferred. In certain circumstances,
compositions comprising vesicle concentrations of even more than
1.5.times.10.sup.9 vesicles/mL may be desirable. However, these
highly concentrated vesicle compositions may be difficult to
administer, for example, in the case of administration by
injection.
[0216] In connection with the diagnostic method aspects of the
present invention, it has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found
that the rate at which the lipid and/or vesicle compositions are
administered to a patient may have a profound effect on the quality
of the resulting diagnostic image. Specifically, it has been found
that the occurrence of diagnostic artifacts in diagnostic images
may be directly related to the rate at which the lipid and/or
vesicle compositions are administered. Thus, as discussed above,
the administration of a lipid and/or vesicle composition at too
high a rate can result in an excess concentration of lipid and/or
vesicle composition at the region of interest. In the case of
ultrasound imaging, the application of energy (sound waves) can
result in the reflection of an excess amount of sound energy,
thereby resulting, for example, in shadowing in the resulting
ultrasound image. Conversely, the administration of a lipid and/or
vesicle composition at too low a rate can result in an insufficient
concentration of lipid and/or vesicle composition at the region of
interest. In the case of ultrasound imaging involving, for example,
gas filled vesicles, the application of energy (sound waves) can
result in too little sound energy being reflected, thereby
resulting, for example, in inadequate contrast in the resulting
ultrasound image.
[0217] In accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the rate at which lipid and/or vesicle
compositions which comprise a gas or gaseous precursor are
administered may be determined and regulated as follows. The
compositions may be administered to a patient at a dose of, for
example, about 10 microliters (.mu.L) of composition per kilogram
(Kg) of patient body weight (10 .mu.L/Kg). In certain preferred
embodiments, the compositions may contain gas in a concentration
which provides a dose of gas ranging from about 1.times.10.sup.-4
to about 5.times.10.sup.-3 cubic centimeters (cc) of gas per
kilogram (Kg) of patient body weight, and all combinations and
subcombinations of ranges therein. This gas dose may be employed to
provide an administration rate of gas to a patient, referred to
herein as the "gas administration rate."
[0218] The compositions may be administered over a period of time
which can vary and depends upon a variety of factors including, for
example, the volume of the composition being administered, the age
and weight of the patient, the particular materials employed in the
compositions, including, for example, lipids, polymers, proteins,
vesicles, gases and/or gaseous precursors, the purpose for the
administration (for example, diagnostic or therapeutic), the region
of interest, the mode of administration, the size of the vesicles
(in the case of vesicle compositions), and the like. An exemplary
administration time for the compositions described above is about 5
seconds. Dividing the gas dose by this time period provides a gas
administration rate which can be expressed as cc gas/Kg-sec. Thus,
a gas dose of, for example, about 1.times.10.sup.-4 cc gas/Kg and
an administration time of 5 sec provides a gas administration rate
of about 2.times.10.sup.-5 cc gas/Kg-sec.
[0219] It is to be understood that the foregoing specific gas
concentrations, composition doses, administration times and
administration rates are for purposes of illustration only, and not
for purposes of limitation.
[0220] In connection with preferred embodiments of the invention,
the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be administered to a
patient to provide a gas administration rate which ranges from
about 1.times.10.sup.-7 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec,
and all combinations and subcombinations of ranges therein
including, for example, from about 4.times.10.sup.-7,
8.times.10.sup.-7, 1.times.10.sup.-6, 2.times.10.sup.-6 or about
3.times.10.sup.-6 to about 3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec. More
preferably, the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be
administered to provide a gas administration rate of from about
4.times.10.sup.-6 to about 2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec, with
gas administration rates of from about 5.times.10.sup.-6,
6.times.10.sup.-6, 7.times.10.sup.-6 or 8.times.10.sup.-6 to about
2.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec being even more preferred. Still
more preferably, the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be
administered to provide a gas administration rate of from about
9.times.10.sup.-6 or 1.times.10.sup.-5 to about 1.times.10.sup.-3
cc gas/Kg-sec, with gas administration rates of from about
2.times.10.sup.-5, 3.times.10.sup.-5, 4.times.10.sup.-5 or
5.times.10.sup.-5 to about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec being
still more preferred. Yet more preferably, the lipid and/or vesicle
compositions may be administered to a patient at a gas
administration rate of from about 6.times.10.sup.-5,
7.times.10.sup.-5, 8.times.10.sup.-5 or 9.times.10.sup.-5 to less
than about 1.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec, with gas administration
rates of from about 1.times.10.sup.-4 to about 9.times.10.sup.-4 cc
gas/Kg-sec being even still more preferred.
[0221] Gaseous precursors may be incorporated in the compositions
described herein and may be, for example, liquids or solids, which
are converted to a gas after administration (that is, in vivo), or
prior to administration. As would be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art, once armed with the present disclosure,
concentrations of gaseous precursors may be employed in the
compositions, and administration rates of compositions which
contain gaseous precursors may be employed, which provide the
foregoing gas administration rates upon conversion of the gaseous
precursor into a gas.
[0222] As noted above, vesicle compositions represent a preferred
form of the compositions employed in the methods of the present
invention. Also as noted above, the concentration of vesicles in
the vesicle compositions is preferably at least about
1.5.times.10.sup.8 vesicles per mL of vesicle composition
(vesicles/mL), more preferably at least about 1.times.10.sup.9
vesicles/mL, and even more preferably at least about
1.5.times.10.sup.9 vesicles/mL. This vesicle concentration may be
employed to provide an administration rate of vesicles to a
patient, referred to herein as the "vesicle administration rate."
In this connection, the vesicle compositions may be administered to
a patient at a dose of, for example, about 10 microliters (.mu.L)
of vesicle composition per kilogram (Kg) of patient body weight (10
.mu.L/Kg). The product of the vesicle concentration (vesicles/mL)
and the dose of the vesicle composition (.mu.L/Kg) provides a
vesicle dose which can be expressed as vesicles/Kg. Thus, the
highly preferred vesicle concentration (1.5.times.10.sup.9
vesicles/mL) and the vesicle composition dose (10 .mu.L/Kg)
described above provides a vesicle dose of about 1.5.times.10.sup.7
vesicles/Kg.
[0223] The vesicle compositions are generally administered over a
period of time which may vary and depends upon a variety of factors
including, for example, the volume of the vesicle composition being
administered, the weight of the patient, the particular lipids,
polymers, proteins, vesicles, gases or gaseous precursors employed
in the composition, the purpose for the administration (for
example, diagnostic or therapeutic), the region of interest, the
mode of administration, the size of the vesicles, and the like. An
exemplary administration time for the vesicle compositions is about
5 seconds. Dividing the vesicle dose by this time period provides
an administration rate which may be expressed as vesicles/Kg-sec.
Thus, the vesicle dose (1.5.times.10.sup.7 vesicles/Kg) and
administration time (5 sec) described above provides a vesicle
administration rate of about 3.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec.
[0224] It is to be understood that the foregoing specific vesicle
concentrations, composition doses, administration times and
administration rates are for purposes of illustration only, and not
for purposes of limitation.
[0225] It has been observed that diagnostic images obtained using
methods which involve the administration of vesicle compositions at
a rate of about 8.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec or greater
generally may contain substantial diagnostic artifacts. For
example, in connection with ultrasound imaging, the administration
of a vesicle composition at an administration rate of about
8.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec or greater may result in
significant shadowing in the resulting ultrasound image. In certain
circumstances, the shadowing may be so severe as to prohibit
visualization of the region of interest, thereby rendering the
ultrasound image substantially unusable as a diagnostic tool.
Delaying the application of energy or prolonging the period of time
that energy is applied to the region of interest, in an effort to
permit the concentration of lipid and/or vesicle composition at the
region of interest to diminish, for example, by being carried away
in the bloodstream, generally does not result in an improvement in
the quality of the diagnostic image. Instead, it has been observed
that as the diagnostic artifacts diminish, the contrast provided by
the lipid and/or vesicle composition may diminish also.
[0226] In connection with preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the vesicle compositions may be administered to a
patient to provide a vesicle administration rate of less than about
8.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec. More preferably, the vesicle
compositions may be administered to a patient to provide a vesicle
administration rate which ranges from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to
less than about 8.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec, and all
combinations and subcombinations of ranges therein, for example,
from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to about 7.5.times.10.sup.6, about
7.times.10.sup.6 or about 6.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec. Even
more preferably, the vesicle compositions may be administered to a
patient to provide a vesicle administration rate of from about
1.5.times.10.sup.6 to about 6.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec, with
vesicle administration rates of from about 2.times.10.sup.6 to
about 5.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec being still more
preferred. Yet more preferably, the vesicle compositions may be
administered to provide a vesicle administration rate of from about
2.5.times.10.sup.6 to about 5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec, with
vesicle administration rates of from about 3.times.10.sup.6 to
about 4.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec being even more
preferred.
[0227] As would be apparent to one skilled in the art, based on the
present disclosure, the rate at which the lipid and/or vesicle
compositions are preferably administered can vary, depending, for
example, on the lipids, polymers, proteins, vesicles, gases and/or
gaseous precursors employed, the age and weight of the patient, the
mode of administration, the size of the vesicles (in the case of
vesicle compositions), and the like. Typically, administration may
be carried out at lower rates and the rate can be increased until a
desired effect is achieved.
[0228] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the lipid
and/or vesicle compositions may be administered by syringe, that
is, by intravenous (IV) injection. Accordingly, the gas and/or
vesicle administration rates provided herein generally correspond
to injection rates. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art, once armed with the present disclosure, the location on
the body of the patient at which the lipid and/or vesicle
compositions are injected may vary and depends upon a variety of
factors, including, for example, the particular lipid and/or
vesicle composition employed, the contemplated application, such as
diagnostic or therapeutic application, and the particular region of
interest. For example, in the case of diagnostic ultrasound of
myocardial tissue, the lipid and/or vesicle compositions may be
injected intravenously, for example, in the arm of a patient.
[0229] The IV administration of the contrast agents described
herein including, for example, the vesicle compositions, may
involve administration via syringe. This may be achieved, for
example, by an appropriate medical technician who handles the
syringe or syringes manually. Alternatively, administration by
syringe may be achieved mechanically, for example, via a mechanical
injector, such as a mechanical injector which operates using
pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. Suitable mechanical injectors
which may be used in the methods of the present invention include a
Syringe Pump Model 351, commercially available from Sage
Instruments (a division of Orion Research Inc., Boston, Mass.), a
MedRad.TM. power injector, commercially available from Medrad, Inc.
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) or a Liebel Flarsheim, commercially available
from Liebel Flarsheim Co. (Cincinnati, Ohio).
[0230] In connection with lipid and/or vesicle compositions which
are administered via injection, it may be desirable, and sometimes
preferable, to facilitate the movement through the circulating
bloodstream of the injected composition. As would be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art, once armed with the present
disclosure, administration by injection generally involves
injection of the compositions into a blood vessel. Also as known to
the skilled artisan, the blood flow in many blood vessels, and
especially smaller blood vessels, may be limited. Due to this
limited blood flow, the injected lipid and/or vesicle compositions
may pool or accumulate at or near the site of injection. To promote
the transport of the lipid and/or vesicle composition from the
injection site into the bloodstream and, thereafter, to the region
of interest, a flush may be administered. The flush may act,
generally by mechanical action, to "push" or "wash" the injected
compositions into the bloodstream. Thus, in embodiments which may
involve, for example, diagnostic ultrasound of myocardial tissue
with a contrast agent that comprises a lipid and/or vesicle
composition, a flush may be administered after injection of the
lipid and/or vesicle composition to facilitate its movement through
the circulatory system and delivery to the region of interest, for
example, the heart region.
[0231] In embodiments which involve the flush of lipid and/or
vesicle compositions, it has been surprisingly and unexpectedly
found that, as with the administration rates discussed
hereinbefore, the rate at which the lipid and/or vesicle
compositions are flushed may have a profound effect on the quality
of the resulting diagnostic 1 image. For example, flushing at too
high a rate may result in an excess concentration of lipid and/or
vesicle composition at the region of interest. Thus, in the case of
diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, involving, for example, gas
filled vesicles, the application of energy, for example, sound
waves, may result in the reflection of excess energy from the
vesicles. As discussed in detail above, this may cause diagnostic
artifacts, for example, shadowing, in the resulting image.
Conversely, flushing at too low a rate may result in an
insufficient concentration of lipid and/or vesicle composition at
the region of interest. It is contemplated that in this case, the
lipid and/or vesicle compositions may become highly diluted in the
bloodstream. In the case of diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound,
involving, for example, gas filled vesicles, the application of
energy, for example, sound waves, may result in the reflection of
an insufficient quantity of energy from the vesicles. This may
cause diagnostic artifacts, for example, lightening and/or
brightening, which are associated with insufficient contrast. As
would be apparent to one skilled in the art, based on the present
disclosure, the rate at which the lipid and/or vesicle compositions
are preferably flushed may vary, depending, for example, on the
lipids, vesicles, polymers, proteins, gases and/or gaseous
precursors employed, the age and weight of the patient, the mode of
administration, the size of the vesicles (in the case of vesicle
compositions), and the like.
[0232] In accordance with the present invention, the rate at which
the lipid compositions may be flushed can be determined as follows.
After administration of a lipid and/or vesicle composition, a flush
may be administered which can be expressed as the volume of flush
(mL) that is administered per unit time (sec). An exemplary flush
for the dosages described above can involve a volume of about 5 mL
which may be administered over a period of about 10 seconds,
providing a flush of about 0.5 mL/sec.
[0233] It is to be understood that the foregoing specific flush
rate is for purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of
limitation.
[0234] In embodiments of the present invention which involve
flushing, it has been observed that diagnostic images obtained
using methods which involve flushing at a rate of about 2.5 mL/sec
or greater may contain substantial diagnostic artifacts. In certain
circumstances, the shadowing may be so severe as to prohibit
visualization of the region of interest, thereby rendering the
ultrasound image substantially unusable as a diagnostic tool. Thus,
the flush may preferably be administered at rates of less than
about 2.5 mL/sec, for example, from about 0.01 to about 2.4 mL/sec,
and all combinations and subcombinations of ranges therein. More
preferably, the flush may be administered at a rate of from about
0.02 to about 2.3 mL/sec, with flush rates of from about 0.03 to
about 2.2 mL/sec, about 0.04 to about 2.1 mL/sec, about 0.05 to
about 2 mL/sec, about 0.06 to about 1.9 mL/sec, about 0.07 to about
1.8 mL/sec, about 0.08 to about 1.7 mL/sec, about 0.09 to about 1.6
mL/sec, or about 0.1 to about 1.5 mL/sec being even more preferred.
Still more preferably, the flush may be administered at a rate of
from about 0.2 to about 1.4 mL/sec, with flush rates of from about
0.3 to about 1.3 mL/sec, about 0.4 to about 1.2 mL/sec or about 0.5
to about 1.1 mL/sec being yet more preferred.
[0235] As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art,
once armed with the present disclosure, the gas and/or vesicle
administration rates and flush rates described above may be used in
connection with the administration to a patient of lipid and/or
vesicle formulations. The particular administration and/or flush
rates employed with lipid and/or vesicle formulations may vary and
depends on a variety of factors, including, for example, the
specific bioactive agents and lipids, vesicles, proteins and/or
polymers involved, the particular disorder being treated, and the
like. Typically, a lower flush rate may be employed initially, and
then increased until a desired diagnostic effect is achieved.
[0236] As with the IV administration of the contrast agents, the
administration of the flush may be achieved via syringe. This may
involve, for example, manual manipulation of a syringe by an
appropriate medical technician. Also, as noted above in connection
with the administration of the vesicle compositions, the
administration of the flush may be done mechanically, for example,
via a mechanical syringe pump, including mechanical pumps which
operate using hydraulic and/or pneumatic power, such as, for
example, a Syringe Pump Model 351 (Sage Instruments, a division of
Orion Research Inc., Boston, Mass.), or a mechanical power
injector, such as a MedRad.TM. Power Injector (Medrad, Inc.,
Pittsburgh, Pa.) or a Liebel Flarsheim (Liebel Flarsheim Co.,
Cincinnati, Ohio).
[0237] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to
like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG.
1 a schematic representation of a system 10 including an apparatus
12 for administering a contrast agent to a patient in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 12
includes a first vessel which, in FIG. 1, is depicted as a syringe
14 consisting of a barrel 16 and a plunger 18 which is slidably
engaged with the barrel 16. A contrast agent 20, such as, for
example, a vesicle composition as described hereinabove, is
contained in the syringe 14.
[0238] The apparatus 12 further comprises a second vessel which, in
accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, comprises a
mechanical injector 22. A device which is particularly suitable for
use as the mechanical injector 22 is a MedRad.TM. Power Injector
(Medrad, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.). The mechanical injector 22
preferably contains a flush agent 24, such as saline. As shown in
FIG. 1, the syringe 14 and the mechanical injector 22 are in flow
communication with each other via a conduit 26. The conduit 26 is
preferably adapted to administer the contrast agent 20 and/or flush
agent 24 to a patient 28 (shown schematically). The conduit 26
preferably comprises tubing 30, which may comprise any suitable
sterile plastic tubing, and a needle 32. Means are provided for
connecting the syringe 14 and the mechanical injector 22 with the
tubing 30 which places the syringe 14 and the mechanical injector
22 in flow communication with each other. In accordance with the
presently preferred embodiment, the flow communication means
comprises a 3-way stopcock 34 which is engaged to the needle 32 and
the tubing 30 and is located below the syringe 14. The stopcock 34
comprises a housing 36 and a valve 38. As shown in FIG. 1, a nozzle
40 is also provided on the mechanical injector 22 to which the
tubing 30 is connected.
[0239] Also provided in the apparatus 12 is a control means 42,
shown in schematic form, for controlling the mechanical injector
22. The control means 42 controls the amount of power supplied to
the mechanical injector 22 and permits regulation of the rate at
which the mechanical injector 22 operates and, thereby, the rate at
which the flush agent 24 is ejected from the mechanical injector
22.
[0240] In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention, there is shown in FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a
system 10' including an apparatus 12' for administering a contrast
agent to a patient. The apparatus 12' is similar to the apparatus
described above in connection with FIG. 1, and includes a first
vessel which preferably comprises a syringe 14' comprising a barrel
16' and a plunger 18'. A contrast agent 20' is preferably contained
in the barrel 16'. There is also provided in the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 2 a second vessel which, in accordance with the
presently preferred embodiment, comprises a mechanical injector
22'. As with the embodiment discussed above, a device which is
particularly suitable for use as the mechanical injector 22' is a
MedRad.TM. Power Injector (Medrad, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.). The
mechanical injector 22' also preferably contains a flush agent 24',
such as saline. The syringe 14' and the mechanical injector 22' are
preferably in flow communication with each other via a conduit 26'.
The conduit 26' is preferably adapted to administer the contrast
agent 20' and/or flush agent 24' to a patient (not shown). The
conduit 26' preferably comprises tubing 30', which may comprise any
suitable sterile plastic tubing, and a needle (not shown) for
insertion into the patient. Means are provided for connecting the
syringe 14' and the mechanical injector 22' with the tubing 30'
which places the syringe 14' and the mechanical injector 22' in
flow communication with each other. In accordance with the
presently preferred embodiment, the flow communication means
comprises a port 44 which is engaged to the syringe 14' and the
tubing 30' and is located above the syringe 14'.
[0241] The apparatus 12' further comprises a control means 42',
which includes a display panel 46, for controlling the mechanical
injector 22'.
[0242] There is provided herein a description of methods for the
administration of a contrast agent, for example, a vesicle
composition comprising lipid-, polymer- and/or protein-based
vesicles, which may be performed utilizing the systems depicted in
the figures. With particular reference to FIG. 1, the valve 38 in
the 3-way stopcock 32 is preferably turned to the "off" position
with respect to the contrast agent 20 and the flush agent 24. The
needle 32 is inserted into an appropriate blood vessel in the
patient 28, such as, for example, the antecubital fossa vein. The
valve 38 is turned to the "on" position with respect to the
contrast agent 20 and the plunger 18 is depressed. The contrast
agent 20 is ejected from the syringe 14 and introduced into the
patient 28. Preferably, the plunger 18 is depressed at a rate to
provide, in the case of a contrast agent 20 which comprises a
vesicle composition, a vesicle administration rate of less than
about 8.times.10 vesicles/Kg-sec, with an administration rate of
from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to less than about 8.times.10.sup.6
vesicles/Kg-sec being more preferred. It is also preferred that the
rate at which the plunger 18 is depressed provides, in the case of
contrast agents which comprise a gas or gaseous precursor, a gas
administration rate of from about 1.times.10.sup.-7 to about
3.times.10.sup.-3 cc gas/Kg-sec.
[0243] If desired, the needle 32 may be removed from the patient's
arm without further administration of contrast agent and/or flush
agent. Diagnostic imaging may also be performed after
administration of the contrast agent 20 to obtain a visible image
of the region of interest. Alternatively, and in accordance with
the presently preferred embodiment, a flush agent may be
administered after administration of the contrast agent 20. In this
case, the valve 38 is turned to the "on" position with respect to
the flush agent 24. The control means 42 may then be operated to
drive the mechanical injector 22. The flush agent 24 is ejected
from the mechanical injector 22 and is administered to the patient
via the conduit 26. Preferably, the mechanical injector 22 is
operated, for example, via the control means 42, to provide a flush
injection rate of from about 0.05 to about 2 mL/sec. The rate at
which the mechanical injector 22 is operated may be varied at any
time during the ejection of the flush agent 24, as desired. Thus,
the rate at which the flush agent 24 is administered may vary and
may differ from, or be about the same as, the rate at which the
contrast agent 20 is administered. After injection of the flush
agent 24, diagnostic imaging may be performed to obtain a visible
image of the region of interest.
[0244] In accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the
system may be utilized as described hereinafter. The needle (not
shown) is inserted into an appropriate blood vessel in the patient
(not shown), such as the antecubital fossa vein. The plunger 18' is
depressed, causing the contrast agent 20' to be ejected from the
syringe 14' into the port 44. The contrast agent 20' will generally
pool or collect in the port 44, and may also become distributed
throughout the tubing 30'. Since in the present embodiment the
contrast agent 20' is not ejected into the patient from the syringe
14', the rate at which the plunger 18' is depressed will generally
not affect the quality of the image obtained during the subsequent
diagnostic imaging.
[0245] The flush agent 24' is desirably administered after ejection
of the contrast agent 20'. This generally involves operation of the
control means 42' to drive the mechanical injector 22'. As with the
embodiment discussed above, the control means 42' controls the
amount of power supplied to the mechanical injector 22' and permits
regulation of the rate at which the mechanical injector 22'
operates and, thereby, the rate at which the flush agent 24' is
ejected from the mechanical injector 22'. The flush agent 24' is
ejected from the mechanical injector 22' and into and through the
tubing 30' and the port 44. The flush agent 24' serves to push or
drive the contrast agent 20 from its location in the port 44 and/or
the tubing 30', throughout the length of the tubing 30', and into
the patient. Preferably, the mechanical injector 22' is operated,
for example, via the control means 42', to provide a flush
injection rate of from about 0.05 to about 2 mL/sec. The flush may
be stopped after contrast agent 20' has been administered to the
patient. Alternatively, the flush may be continued so that the
flush agent 24' is also injected into the patient. The rate at
which the mechanical injector 22' is operated may be varied at any
time during the ejection of the flush agent 24', as desired.
[0246] After injection into the patient of the contrast agent 20'
(and optional injection into the patient of the flush agent 24'),
diagnostic imaging may be performed to obtain a visible image of
the region of interest.
[0247] The echogenicity of vesicles, and especially, gas filled
vesicles, and the ability to rupture vesicles at the peak resonant
frequency using ultrasound, permits the controlled delivery of
bioactive agents to an internal region of a patient. Specifically,
the vesicles may be monitored subsequent to their administration to
a patient to determine the rate at which the vesicles arrive, for
example, to a desired region. Furthermore, the vesicles may be
ruptured using ultrasound to release the bioactive agent in the
region.
[0248] The invention is further described in the following
examples. Examples 1 to 6 are actual examples, while Examples 7 to
11 are prophetic examples. These examples are for illustrative
purposes only, and are not to be construed as limiting the appended
claims.
EXAMPLE 1
[0249] This example describes the preparation of a lipid
composition for use in the methods of the present invention. "DPPC"
refers to dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; "DPPE" refers to
dipalmitoylphosphatidyle- thanolamine; and "DPPA" refers to
dipalmitolylphosphatidic acid. "PEG5000" refers to poly(ethylene
glycol) polymer having a molecular weight of about 5000.
"DPPE-PEG5000" refers to DPPE which is covalently bound to PEG5000,
wherein the DPPE and PEG5000 are present in a weight ratio of about
20:80. "PFP" refers to perfluoropropane gas.
[0250] To a solution of saline, propylene glycol and glycerol
(8:1:1) were added DPPC, DPPE-PEG5000 and DPPA in a molar ratio of
82:8:10. The resulting mixture was heated to about 45.degree. C.
and filtered (0.22 .mu.m). The filtered mixture was placed in a
vial and allowed to cool to room temperature. The vial was placed
under vacuum to evacuate any gas, after which the vial was
pressurized with PFP. The vial was then sealed, placed on a shaker
and agitated at room temperature to provide a solution of
PFP-filled vesicles having a mean diameter of about 2.5 .mu.m. The
concentration of vesicles in the solution was about
1.5.times.10.sup.9 vesicles/mL.
[0251] The following examples are directed to methods for using the
gas filled vesicles prepared in Example 1.
EXAMPLE 2
[0252] The solution of PFP-vesicles of Example 1 was administered
intravenously (IV) to a healthy human subject at a dose of about 10
.mu.L per Kg of body weight, providing a vesicle dose of about
1.5.times.10.sup.7 vesicles/Kg. The site of administration was in
the antecubital fossa region in the patient's arm. The time period
for injecting the solution of PFP-filled vesicles was 2 seconds,
providing a vesicle injection rate of 7.5.times.10.sup.6
vesicles/Kg-sec. After injection, a saline flush (5 mL) was
administered in the same injection site. The time period for
injecting the saline flush was 2 seconds, providing a flush rate of
2.5 mL/sec. Transducers (2.5, 3.5 and 5.0 MHz) were used to image
the heart region in both short-axis and long-axis views. Image
detection was via grey scale imaging. After injection of the saline
flush, the ultrasound image rapidly darkened until the heart was
not visible due to severe shadowing. This severe shadowing lasted
for a period of time of about 30 seconds to about 1 minute. Upon
dissipation of the shadowing, the ultrasound image revealed only
transient contrast enhancement of the myocardial tissues.
EXAMPLE 3
[0253] Example 2 was repeated, except that (A) the time period for
injecting the solution of PFP-filled vesicles was increased to from
about 5 to about 10 seconds, providing a vesicle injection rate of
from about 1.5.times.10.sup.6 to about 3.0.times.10.sup.6
vesicles/Kg-sec; and (B) the time period for injecting the saline
flush was increased to from about 10 to about 15 seconds, providing
a flush rate of from about 0.33 to about 0.5 mL/sec. After
injection of the saline flush, shadowing was substantially
completely eliminated, and the contrast of the myocardial tissue
was very robust and long-lasting.
EXAMPLE 4
[0254] Example 3 was repeated, except that the time period for
injecting the solution of PFP-filled vesicles was increased to
about 15 seconds. This provided a vesicle injection rate of about
1.0.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec. The flush rate remained about
the same as that in Example 3. Although no shadowing was observed
after injection of the saline flush, the contrast of the myocardial
tissue was less robust.
EXAMPLE 5
[0255] Example 2 was repeated, except that (A) the dose of the
solution of PFP-filled vesicles was increased to 15 .mu.L/Kg,
providing a vesicle dose of about 2.25.times.10.sup.7 vesicles/Kg
and a vesicle injection rate of from about 2.25.times.10.sup.6 to
about 4.5.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec; and (B) the time period
for injecting the flush was increased to from about 15 to about 20
seconds, providing a flush injection rate of from about 0.25 to
about 0.33 mL/sec. After injection of the saline flush, shadowing
was substantially completely eliminated, and the contrast of the
myocardial tissue was very robust and long-lasting.
EXAMPLE 6
[0256] Example 5 was repeated, except that (A) the dose of the
solution of PFP-filled vesicles was increased to 30 .mu.L/Kg,
providing a vesicle dose of about 4.5.times.10.sup.7 vesicles/Kg
and a vesicle injection rate of from about 4.5.times.10.sup.6 to
about 9.0.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec; and (B) the time period
for injecting the flush was increased to from about 30 to about 40
seconds, providing a flush injection rate of from about 0.125 to
about 0.167 mL/sec. The quality of the contrast was substantially
similar to that obtained in Example 5, but lasted for an even
longer period of time.
EXAMPLE 7
[0257] The PFP-filled vesicles prepared in Example 1 are
administered to a patient to provide a gas administration rate of
about 5.times.10.sup.-4 cc gas/Kg-sec. Imaging of the heart region
is then carried out as described in the previous examples.
Shadowing is substantially completely eliminated, and the contrast
of the myocardial tissue is very robust and long-lasting.
EXAMPLE 8
[0258] Example 7 is repeated, except that a saline flush is also
employed at a flush rate of about 0.5 mL/sec.
EXAMPLE 9
[0259] Example 5 is repeated except that (A) the dose of the
solution of PFP-filled vesicles is increased to 100 .mu.L/Kg,
providing a vesicle dose of about 1.5.times.10.sup.8 vesicles/Kg;
(B) the time period for injecting the solution of PFP-filled
vesicles is increased to about 50 seconds, providing a vesicle
injection rate of about 3.0.times.10.sup.6 vesicles/Kg-sec; (C) the
volume of flush is increased to about 10 mL; and (D) the time
period for injecting the flush is increased to from about 5 to
about 10 minutes, providing a flush injection rate of from about
0.0167 to about 0.03 mL/sec. After injection of the saline flush,
shadowing is perceived to be substantially completely eliminated,
and the contrast of the myocardial tissue is perceived to be very
robust and long-lasting.
EXAMPLE 10
[0260] Example 2 is repeated, except that (A) a system of the type
depicted in FIG. 1 is employed, wherein the flush is delivered by a
MedRad.TM. Power Injector (Medrad, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.); (B) the
saline flush volume is increased to about 20 mL; and (C) the time
period for injecting the flush is increased to about 50 seconds to
provide a flush rate of 2.5 mL/sec. Contrast of the myocardial
tissue is very robust and long-lasting.
EXAMPLE 11
[0261] Example 11 is repeated, except that (A) a system of the type
depicted in FIG. 2 is employed, wherein a MedRad.TM. Power Injector
(Medrad, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.) is employed to eject a flush agent
which pushes the contrast agent from the apparatus into the
patient; and (B) the saline flush volume is increased to about 25
mL. Contrast of the myocardial tissue is very robust and
long-lasting.
[0262] The disclosures of each patent, patent application and
publication cited or described in this document are hereby
incorporated by reference, in their entirety.
[0263] Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those
described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to
fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *