This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Ioforminol, a contrast agent useful in X-ray imaging. More particularly, the invention relates to preparation of Ioforminol from a compound mixture comprising 1-formylamino-3,5-bis(2,3-bis(formyloxy)propan-1-ylcarbamoyl)-2,4,6-trioodobenzene by a process comprising in situ hydrolysis and a bis-alkylation.

Simple mixing/blending of a special class of drug-depot forming tri-block copolymers polymers, with the opportunity to cost-effectively tailor drug delivery performances of such biodegradable, injectable depots in a clinical and an industrial setting. How to visualize these depots for various imaging related purposes is described. A composition comprising (a) an active ingredient, preferably a pharmaceutically active ingredient (b) a solvent and (c) a mixture of at least two types of tri-block copolymers of formula (1)
B-A-B  (1)
wherein B stands for a hydrophobic block and wherein A stands for a hydrophilic block, wherein the mixture is prepared by mixing at least two types of tri-block copolymers having a degree of modification of 100% and wherein the at least two types of B-A-B types of tri-block copolymers differ only on the type of end-group or wherein the mixture is prepared by mixing at least two types of tri-block copolymers, wherein one of the at least two tri-block copolymers has a degree of modification of 100% and one of the at least two tri-block copolymers has a degree of modification of 0% and wherein the at least two types of B-A-B types of tri-block copolymers differ only on the degree of modification of the end-groups.

The present invention relates to a class of compounds and to diagnostic compositions containing such compounds where the compounds are iodine containing compounds. More specifically the iodine containing compounds are chemical compounds containing two linked iodinated phenyl groups of the general formula R—N(CHO)—X—N(R.sup.3)—R wherein X denoted an optionally substituted alkylene group, R.sup.3 denotes a hydrogen atom or an acyl function and each R denotes a triiodinated phenyl residue further substituted by hydrophilic moieties. The invention also relates to the use of such diagnostic compositions as contrast agents in diagnostic imaging and in particular in X-ray imaging, and to contrast media containing such compounds.

Certain aspects of the present invention relates to microcapsules comprising a core; and a hydrophobic, cross-linked polymeric shell, as well as method for making and using same. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to microcapsules comprising a core; and a hydrophobic, cross-linked polymeric shell. These microcapsules can be used in a variety of applications, including agriculture, encapsulation of food ingredients, health care, cosmetics (e.g., perfumes, detergents, and sunscreen), coatings (e.g., paints and pigments), additives, catalysis, and oil recovery.

Disclosed are compositions comprising an antisense oligonucleotide and a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent. Also disclosed are methods of delivering an antisense oligonucleotide to a target sire comprising incorporating the antisense oligonucleotide into a composition comprising a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent. Also disclosed are methods of treating a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering one or more of the compositions disclosed herein.

A multi-component nanochain for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications includes at least three nanoparticles linked together to form the nanochain. At least one nanoparticle of the nanochain has an asymmetric surface chemistry defined by asymmetrically disposed first linkers and second linkers. The nanoparticles are linked to form the nanochain by linking first linkers and/or second linkers disposed on separate nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to Adeno-associated virus type 9 methods and materials useful for intrathecal delivery of polynucleotides. Use of the methods and materials is indicated, for example, for treatment of lower motor neuron diseases such as SMA and ALS as well as Pompe disease and lysosomal storage disorders. It is disclosed that administration of a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent, together with a rAA9 vector for the expression of Survival Motor Neuron protein, improves the survival of SMN mutant mice as compared to the administration of the expression vector alone.

Described herein are iodine-based particles which can be used as contrast agents for x-ray radiology. Also described herein are methods, software modules and hardware modules for imaging iodine-based particles.

Multivalent CT or MR contrast agents and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The agents contain a moiety, such as a polymer, that provides multivalent attachment of CT or MR contrast agents. Examples include, but are not limited to, multivalent linear polymers, branched polymers, or hyperbranched polymers, such as dendrimers, and combinations thereof. The dendrimer is functionalized with one or more high Z-elements, such as iodine. The high Z-elements can be covalently or non-covalently bound to the dendrimer. The dendrimers are confined in order to enhance CT contrast. In some embodiments, the moiety is confined by encapsulating the dendrimers in a material to form particles, such as nanoparticles. In other embodiments, the dendrimer is confined by conjugating the moiety to a material, such as a polymer, which forms a gel upon contact with bodily fluids.