The present disclosure provides imaging agents that are useful for the detection and evaluation of heart conditions, such as myocardial infarction. Upon activation, the imaging agents of the present disclosure may be detected using an ultrasound imaging device.

An object is to provide an ultrasonic transmission efficiency improving composition for ultrasonic diagnosis which can suppress attenuation of ultrasonic waves in a skin stratum corneum to reach deeper portions of a living body, and has ultrasonic transmission efficiency stable even with temperature change during use; an ultrasonic diagnostic gel composition which is obtained by gelling the ultrasonic transmission efficiency improving composition into a gel state; and an imaging method using the ultrasonic transmission efficiency improving composition and the ultrasonic diagnostic gel composition.

The solution includes an ultrasonic transmission efficiency improving composition including an aqueous solution containing hydrophilic fine particles including glycogen and/or hydrophilic fine particles including dextrin; an ultrasonic diagnostic gel composition which is obtained by gelling the ultrasonic transmission efficiency improving composition; and an imaging method using the ultrasonic transmission efficiency improving composition and the ultrasonic diagnostic gel composition.

A method for conducting an ultrasound session using an ultrasound probe system includes the steps of providing an ultrasound gel for use in combination with the ultrasound probe system, the ultrasound gel defining a composition including 1-10% by weight of Carbopol; 0.001-0.02% by weight of fungistat; 0.001-0.02% by weight of NaOH; 0.001-0.02% by weight of chlorhexidine; 1-5% by weight of glycerin up; 90-95% by weight of purified water; 0.001-0.02% by weight of curacao; 0.1-0.8% by weight of aloe vera leaf juice; 0.01-0.03% by weight of citric acid; 0.001-0.02% by weight of EDTA disodium; 0.001-0.02% by weight of phenoxyethanol; 0.001-0.02% by weight of ethylhexylglycerin; and 0.001-0.02% by weight of methylisothiazolinone; and selectively applying the ultrasound gel on an ultrasound site and operating the ultrasound probe system thereon.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

An ultrasound gel is provided for use with internal ultrasound imaging and/or therapy. The gel can have acoustic properties that can closely match a soft tissue to be imaged/treated and can be of a high viscosity that is maintained at body temperature. In some embodiments, the gel can act as a lubricant and, although water based, can be hydrophobic and not dissolve in bodily fluids. In some embodiments, the gel can be sterile, safe for ingestion, safe for application over mucous membranes, and include a preservative. In order to achieve sterility while maintaining a desired viscosity range, the gel can include a viscosity stabilising agent such as a viscosity protection agent for protection from radiation induced breakdown. In some embodiments, methods of altering or maintaining the viscosity of a gel is provided.

A coupling agent composition is provided and includes a plurality of non-toxic components and a thickening agent. The plurality of non-toxic components is derived from one or more natural resource materials and is an amount equal to or greater than 97 weight percent (wt %) of the composition. The thickening agent is provided in an amount of 0.05-5.00 wt % of the composition. The balance of the composition is incidental impurities.

The present invention relates to a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a method of monitoring biological tissues within a skull using the partial skull replacement. The method of monitoring using the partial skull replacement of the present invention has a minimal influence on intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid flow as compared to a conventional cranial window technique using glass, and, by way of visualizing biological tissues within a skull with enhanced clarity, is expected to be usefully employed as a method of monitoring biological tissues within the skull.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

Provided herein are improved methods for preparing phospholipid formulations including phospholipid UCA formulations.

A thermoacoustic imaging method comprises administering a thermoacoustic imaging contrast agent to a subject, the thermoacoustic imaging contrast agent having a viscosity higher than blood and substantially similar to a viscosity of a known computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent; and imaging the subject with a thermoacoustic imaging system. The thermoacoustic imaging contrast agent may comprise an ionic solution and thickening agent mixture, with an optional heating agent. The ionic salt makes 0.5% to 5.0% of the ionic solution by weight and the remainder of the ionic solution is water. The thickening agent makes 3% to 50% of the mixture by weight.