EP1878447A2 — Medium for contrast enhancement or convenience for ultrasonic, endoscopic and other medical examinations

USPTO Abstract

The present invention relates to a particularly convenient medium for providing contrast enhancement and/or distension of the subject body or organ cavity during imaging, radiographic, visualization, or other similar medical examinations, including ultrasound, endoscopic examinations, MRI, x-ray, hystero-salpingograms, CT scans, and similar procedures. The present invention provides the contrast enhancement and/or distends the body or organ cavity without constant leakage of the medium or the resulting need to constantly or repeatedly infuse additional medium. The medium is designed to have sufficient viscosity or consistence initially -- whether as a solid, semi-solid, gel, viscous fluid, or otherwise -- to remain in the body or organ cavity for a time generally sufficient to complete the procedure, and then to facilitate easy removal or expulsion from the cavity, preferably by liquefying or losing viscosity. For imaging and radiographic examinations, the medium may provide enhanced contrast as well as the distension of the cavity. For visualization examinations, the medium typically would be optically transparent but provide the convenient reliable distension. The phase or viscosity change may be triggered by a variety factors, such as the passage of time, a change in temperature or pH, the addition of another substance, or any other trigger that liquefies or otherwise facilitates easy removal or expulsion of the composition from the cavity.