Ultrasonic couplant spray

Abstract

The application discloses the use of an aqueous composition comprising a thickener, and an antiseptic compound or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof as an ultrasonic couplant spray. An ultrasonic couplant spray comprising starch, and an antiseptic compound or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof is also disclosed. Furthermore, the present application relates to a kit comprising a composition according to the present application and spray device.

Claims

1. An imaging method comprising applying an ultrasonic couplant spray onto a surface to be imaged and transmitting sound energy to said surface, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray comprises: a starch in an amount of from 6 wt % to 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the spray, wherein the starch is selected from corn starch, rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch, cassava starch, and a modified starch; an antiseptic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a fatty substance; and a starch degrading enzyme, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray comprises droplets exceeding an average diameter of 50 μm, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray does not form an aerosol, and wherein the fatty substance and the starch degrading enzyme together prevent the precipitation of the starch.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the antiseptic compound is bactericidal, fungicidal, and/or virucidal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the antiseptic compound is a quaternary ammonium compound.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the antiseptic compound is selected from octenidin hydrochloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, methylbenzethonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, cetrimonium, cetrimide, dofanium chloride, tetraethylammonium bromide, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, and domiphen bromide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises: i) a fast-acting local anesthetic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and/or ii) a local anesthetic compound with long lasting anesthetic effect or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fast-acting anesthetic compound and the local anesthetic compound with long lasting anesthetic effect are independently selected from amino amide-type local anesthetic drug, amino ester-type local anesthetic drug, and amino amide ester-type local anesthetic drug.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the fast-acting anesthetic compound is selected from lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, articaine, etidocaine, benzocaine, and 2-chlor procaine.

8. A kit comprising a spray device and an ultrasonic couplant spray, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray comprises: a starch in an amount of from 6 wt % to 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the spray, wherein the starch is selected from corn starch, rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch, cassava starch, and modified starch; an antiseptic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a fatty substance; and a starch degrading enzyme, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray comprises droplets exceeding an average diameter of 50 μm, wherein the ultrasonic couplant does not form an aerosol, and wherein the fatty substance and the starch degrading enzyme together prevent the precipitation of the starch.

9. The kit according to claim 8, wherein the kit further comprises a device for marking the skin.

10. An ultrasonic couplant spray comprising: a starch in an amount of from 6 wt % to 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the spray, wherein the starch is selected from corn starch, rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch, cassava starch, and modified starch; an antiseptic compound or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof; a fatty substance; and a starch degrading enzyme, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray comprises droplets exceeding an average diameter of 50 μm, wherein the ultrasonic couplant spray does not form an aerosol, and wherein the fatty substance and the starch degrading enzyme together prevent the precipitation of the starch.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the imaging method is performed to catheterize veins and/or arteries, to diagnose obstruction of arteries, to diagnose DVT, and/or to determine extent and severity of venous insufficiency.

12. An imaging method comprising the steps of applying the ultrasonic couplant spray of claim 10 onto a surface to be imaged and transmitting sound energy through said spray to said surface.

13. An imaging method comprising the steps of applying the contents of the kit of claim 8 onto a surface to be imaged and transmitting sound energy through said spray to said surface.

Description

FIGURE CAPTIONS

(1) FIG. 1

(2) FIG. 1 shows test series 11, the gel-spray according to the invention without inhalable aerosols.

(3) FIG. 2

(4) FIG. 2 shows example test areas of series 11.

(5) FIGS. 3A and 3B

(6) A) Octeniderm area test with Rodac agar after 48 h breeding: bacteria, fungi

(7) B) Couplant spray according to the invention area test with Rodac agar after 48 h breeding: no growth

(8) FIG. 4

(9) FIG. 4 shows a comparison of ultrasound images, standard (Aquasonic®, left) versus invention (right): No visible difference is apparent.

EXAMPLES

(10) The spray according to the invention was compared to Octenisept (OS) and Octeniderm (OD) and standard ultrasound gel (Aquasonic® Gel sterile, AQ) in the following first setting (series I). All media were applied and, if still visible, wiped off after 2 minutes. The region was tested with RODAC agar for bacteria and fungi (diameter about 6.5 cm). The region was usually the leg.

(11) TABLE-US-00001 Amount Region Number of Average number Substance applied in cm.sup.2 Samples bacteria of bacteria Invention 1.5 g 10 × 10 cm 12 0-3 0.67 AQ   4 g 10 × 10 cm 12  19-250 60.16 OD 1.5 g 10 × 10 cm 12 0-3 1.16 OS 1.5 g 10 × 10 cm 12 1-3 1.41

(12) In another setting (series II), even closer to the general application, standard disinfection with Octeniderm (2×5 spray actions, 2×60 s residence time, wiping off with sterile cloth) was compared to the use of the invention as ultrasound contact medium during the diagnostic preparation before puncture for vascular access. The procedure using the invention consisted of 5 spray actions to cover target area with agent, followed by 2 min, ultrasound action with the ultrasound transducer within the target area, and wiping with sterile cloth. Results: While Octeniderm, as a standard in disinfection, still left bacteria and fungi growing in 1-4 colonies (aerobic sporulating organisms, mold fungus, micrococcus, coagulase negative staphylococcae), the invention left not a single colony growing.

(13) TABLE-US-00002 Average Number of number of Amount Region bacteria/ bacteria/ Substance applied in cm.sup.2 Samples funghi funghi Invention 1.5 g 10 × 10 cm 6 0 0 OD 1.5 g 10 × 10 cm 6 0-4 1.8