Ultrasound contrast using halogenated xanthenes
New contrast agents for ultrasound imaging and methods for use of such agents for imaging of human or animal tissue are described, wherein a primary active component of such medicaments is a halogenated xanthene or halogenated xanthene derivative. Preferably, the halogenated xanthene is Rose Bengal or a functional derivative of Rose Bengal.
1 . A method for imaging human or animal tissue comprising the steps of:
administering an ultrasound contrast agent to a patient, a portion of said ultrasound contrast agent being retained in tissue of interest; and
imaging said tissue with ultrasound to identify said tissue,
wherein said ultrasound contrast agent is a halogenated xanthene.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said halogenated xanthene is present in a concentration of greater than about 0.001% to less than about 20%.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein said halogenated xanthene is Rose Bengal.
4 . A medicament comprising at least one halogenated xanthene as a primary active component, wherein said medicament is useful for ultrasound imaging of human and animal tissue.
5 . The medicament of claim 4 wherein said halogenated xanthene is present in a concentration of greater than about 0.001% to less than about 20%.
6 . The medicament of claim 4 wherein said halogenated xanthene comprises Rose Bengal.