Preclinical Imaging
Ultrasound Contrast Agents for Research
The Targestar™ line of ultrasound contrast agents can be used for ultrasound-based molecular and functional imaging in pre-clinical research. The Targestar™ agents are suitable for use in many animal models of disease, as well as for molecular screening in vitro. Targeson offers two Targestar™ products, available in several packaging options.
TargestarP is a blood pool imaging contrast agent that may be used to visualize and quantitate vascular perfusion in a variety of tissues using ultrasound imaging. The agent is coated with a non-thrombogenic polymer which enables it to travel freely through the vasculature. The agent may be detected with ultrasound probes in the 1-15 MHz range, using harmonic or other contrast-specific imaging schemes. High-frequency ultrasound imaging in the 20-40 MHz with these agents is also possible.
Targeson also offers a targeted ultrasound contrast agent, TargestarB, for molecular imaging applications. TargestarB contains a modular targeting platform which allows the agent to be targeted to a nearly limitless variety of molecular markers.
A targeting ligand, selected by the customer, is conjugated to the surface of the TargestarB agents with an easy-to-use coupling reagent. The TargestarB kit contains a dispersion of the agents in saline, coupling reagent, and apparatus for ligand conjugation. A bucket centrifuge is required for preparation. Optimal dosage of these agents must be determined for each application; contact Targeson for assistance in ligand selection or dosage. Use of these agents for site-targeted molecular imaging requires imaging with ultrasound contrast-specific modes.