Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to optoacoustic contrast agents and methods of diagnostic and therapeutic imaging using optoacoustic contrast agents.
Abstract:
An optoacoustic system comprises an optoacoustic transducer (10) including a first array of acoustic transducers (10C, 10D) and a second array of optical fibers (10A, 10B); an acoustic subsystem (18, 20, 30, 34) for controllably exciting at least a first subset of the acoustic transducers to generate acoustic pulses with a prescribed pulse width, and for forming a first image based on return acoustic pulses reflected from a patient; an optical subsystem (14, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32) for controllably generating optical pulses to be transmitted through at least a first subset of the optical fibers toward the patient, and for forming a second image based on light reflected from the patient; and image correlation means (16, 20, 17) for correlating the first and second images. The first and second arrays may take various forms, including the form of an annular array in which the acoustic transducers are arranged coaxially and the optical fibers are disposed around an outer periphery of the first array. The first and second arrays may also take the form of linear arrays.
Abstract:
The present invention describes, inter alia, oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes comprising a fluorinated gas and a stabilizing material, uses for the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes, and apparatus for making and delivering the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes.
Abstract:
The present invention describes, inter alia, oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes comprising a fluorinated gas and a stabilizing material, uses for the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes, and apparatus for making and delivering the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes.
Abstract:
Novel ultrasound methods comprising administering to a patient a targeted vesicle composition which comprises vesicles comprising a lipid, protein or polymer, encapsulating a gas, in combination with a targeting ligand, and scanning the patient using ultrasound. The scanning may comprise exposing the patient to a first type of ultrasound energy and then interrogating the patient using a second type of ultrasound energy. The targeting ligand preferably targets tissus, cells or receptors, including myocardial cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, tumor cells and the glycoprotein GPIIbIIIa receptor. The methods may be used to detect a thrombus, enhancement of an old or echogenic thrombus low concentrations of vesicles and vesicles targeted to tissues, cells or receptors.