	US 11,890,355 B2
	Viscosity and stability modified ultrasound gel
Cristian Scurtescu, Edmonton (CA); and Gleam Gill, Edmonton (CA)
Assigned to Smilesonica Inc., Edmonton (CA)
Filed by SmileSonica Inc., Edmonton (CA)
Filed on Feb. 21, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/797,813.
Application 16/797,813 is a division of application No. 16/068,946, abandoned, previously published as PCT/CA2016/051452, filed on Dec. 9, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/276,927, filed on Jan. 10, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2020/0188538 A1, Jun. 18, 2020
Int. Cl. A61K 31/047 (2006.01); A61K 49/22 (2006.01); A61N 7/00 (2006.01); A61K 47/38 (2006.01); A61K 9/06 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61K 47/10 (2017.01); A61K 47/26 (2006.01); A61K 47/32 (2006.01); A61B 8/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/225 (2006.01)

CPC A61K 49/226 (2013.01) [A61B 8/4281 (2013.01); A61K 9/06 (2013.01); A61K 47/10 (2013.01); A61K 47/26 (2013.01); A61K 47/32 (2013.01); A61K 47/38 (2013.01); A61N 7/00 (2013.01); A61B 8/12 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2253 (2013.01)]

11 Claims

1. A food grade intra-oral ultrasound coupling gel comprising:

water;

a thickening agent for thickening the water into a gel, the thickening agent comprising a carbomer, wherein the carbomer is at a concentration of between 0.1% and 5% of the gel by weight;

a neutralizer for adjusting a pH level of the gel;

a viscosity agent for reducing changes of gel viscosity due to gamma radiation exposure, the viscosity agent comprising cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and glycerin, wherein the CNC is at a concentration of between 2% and 15% of the gel by weight and wherein the glycerin is at a concentration of between 5% and 10% of the gel by weight;

wherein the gel has been exposed to gamma radiation;

wherein the gel has a post-radiation viscosity between 50,000 and 100,000 cPs when measured using a viscometer at 37° C.; and

wherein the gel has an acoustic impedance similar to soft tissue and is safe for ingestion.