CPC A61K 49/223 (2013.01) [A61B 8/481 (2013.01); A61K 49/226 (2013.01); A61K 49/227 (2013.01); C07F 9/09 (2013.01); C07F 9/106 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |
1. A method of ultrasound contrast imaging a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent having reduced batch-to-batch loss of total and individual phospholipid content comprising
a) controlling the calcium and/or magnesium concentration across multiple batches of a phospholipid solution to less than 0.7 ppm, wherein the phospholipid solution comprises one or more phospholipids in propylene glycol, combining one of the multiple batches of the phospholipid solution with an aqueous solution to form a phospholipid suspension, and filtering the phospholipid suspension through a 0.2 micron filter to form a filtered phospholipid suspension,
b) activating the filtered phospholipid suspension with a perfluorocarbon gas to form lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres,
c) administering the lipid-encapsulated microspheres to a subject, and
d) obtaining an ultrasound image of the subject.
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