Polyols and PVP as in vivo biocompatible acoustic coupling media

1 . An in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel comprising:

1-99 wt polyols and/or fats and esters thereof,

the balance being polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP),

said lubricant and couplant containing no water.

2 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 comprising polyols and/or fats and esters thereof in an amount of 10-98 wt. %.

3 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 2 comprising polyols and/or fats and esters thereof in an amount of 70-98 wt. %.

4 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 comprising 1-60 wt. % polyvinylpyrrolidone.

5 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 wherein said polyols and/or fats and esters thereof comprise two or more carbon atoms.

6 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 5 wherein said polyols and/or fats and esters thereof comprise two to six carbon atoms.

7 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 wherein said polyols and/or fats and esters thereof comprise glycols and/or polyglycols.

8 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 7 wherein said glycols and/or polyglycols comprise at least one of propylene glycol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol and sorbitol.

9 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 8 comprising a blend containing polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

10 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 wherein said polyvinylpyrrolidone has a molecular weight of 2000-1,500,000 daltons.

11 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 10 wherein said polyvinylpyrrolidone has a molecular weight of 40,000-54,000 daltons.

12 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 8 comprising:

95 wt. % polyethylene glycol, and

5 wt. % polyvinylpyrrolidone.

13 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 8 comprising:

48 wt. % propylene glycol,

28 wt. % polyethylene glycol, and

24 wt. % polyvinylpyrrolidone.

14 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 8 comprising:

48 wt. % propylene glycol,

30 wt. % polyethylene glycol

22 wt. % polyvinylpyrrolidone.

15 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 8 comprising:

48 wt. % propylene glycol,

26 wt. % polyethylene glycol

26 wt. % polyvinylpyrrolidone.

16 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 further comprising organic cross-linkers selected from at least one of chitosan derivatives, polyethyleneimine, amines and aldehydes.

17 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 further comprising at least one of monoglycerides and triglycerides.

18 . The in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel of claim 1 wherein the fluid or gel is sterile.

19 . A waterless in vivo biocompatible and bio-excretable lubricant and ultrasound couplant fluid or gel comprising:

70-98 wt. % of at least one of propylene glycol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol and sorbitol,

the balance being polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).