An edible negative contrast agent for CT imaging of the gastrointestinal tract intended for oral intake. The contrast agent is a fluid, aqueous foam displaying a CT density contrast value in the range 300 to 800 HU and having a consistency of 7 to 12 cm as measured with Bostwick consistometer. The contrast agent comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase having a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 and gas bubbles dispersed in the continuous aqueous liquid phase. The aqueous continuous liquid phase comprises a surfactant, the surfactant being a protein, a hydrocolloid acting as foam stabilizer, a buffering agent, and water.

Couplers for ultrasound probes can have a solid coupler body with a cavity having a malleable shape so as to be able to be conform to and/or self-attach to the end of the probe by a user pressing the coupler body against the ultrasound probe so that the coupler body takes on the underlying shape of the ultrasound probe while the exterior body can retain its pre-attached shape.

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

Disclosed are methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens under guidance of ultrasound imaging. The methods include vas-occlusive contraception in which the vas deferens is non-surgically isolated and an occlusive substance is percutaneously administered into the lumen of the vas deferens under ultrasound. Also disclosed are methods of reversal of vas-occlusive contraception and methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens. Also disclosed are compositions for use in the methods of the invention.

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 method for normalizing blood vessels of lesions is disclosed, which includes administering an effective amount of oxygen-loaded microbubbles to a subject in need by intravenous injection, and projecting ultrasound from a ultrasonic emission device into the lesions for rupturing the oxygen-loaded microbubbles and releasing the oxygen to the lesions. Each of the oxygen-loaded microbubbles comprises oxygen and a water insoluble gas, and the particle size of microbubbles is 0.520 m.

An acoustically activatable particle of material includes a first substance that includes a component that is a gas 25 C. and atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create a droplet or emulsion that is stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. At least some of the first substance exists in a gaseous phase at the time of encapsulation of the first substance within the second substance to form a bubble. After formation of the bubble, the bubble is condensed into a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into the droplet or emulsion having a core consisting of a liquid. The droplet or emulsion is an activatable phase change agent having a core consisting of a liquid at 25 C. and atmospheric pressure. The first substance has a boiling point below 25 C. at atmospheric pressure.

A system and method is disclosed for non-contact detection and/or imaging and/or monitoring target subsurface tissue of at least one of human or animal anatomy. The system applies a first optical excitation signal to an outer tissue surface at a first location on the anatomy, which excites the target subsurface tissue to produce acoustic signals which are transmitted to an outer tissue surface of the anatomy. A gel-like, impedance matching and signal converting (IMASC) material layer is applied to the outer tissue surface at a second location on the anatomy. The IMASC material layer contains material elements which are able to influence characteristics of an optical signal impinging and reflected from the IMASC material, in accordance with acoustic signals that have been reflected from the target subsurface tissue, and which propagate into the IMASC material. An optical ultrasound detection system is used to process the reflected optical signals reflected from the IMASC material to provide information that may be used to provide an image of the target subsurface tissue.

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.

Disclosed are a gastrointestinal tract ultrasonic examination aided developer and a preparation method therefor. The aided developer is mainly composed of a thickener, an osmotic pressure regulator, a solid contrast, a defoamer and a flavoring agent, wherein a density of the solid contrast is the same as that of aided developer liquid. The present disclosure adopts the solid contrast with a special particle size, making a distribution area present a more obvious homogeneous high echo after the aided developer reaches the stomach and intestine, and a good aided developing effect is achieved.