JPH11318898A - Gel composition for ultrasonic diagnosis - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a medium adequate for an object with which a bright image is heretofore unobtainable by forming a gel compsn. of the salt of a carboxyl vinyl polymer and xanthan gum. SOLUTION: The gel compsn. is formed of the salt of the carboxyl vinyl polymer and xanthan gum. An alkaline metal salt is adopted as the salt and the content of the carboxyl vinyl polymer is specified to about 0.1 to 5 wt.% in total amt. The xanthan gum has an effect of stabilizing the structure of the aq. gel formed by the salt of the carboxyl vinyl polymer under the presence of ultrasonic waves and simultaneously improving the propagation rate of vibration. The content of the xanthan gum is specified to about 0.01 to 1 wt.%. In addition, a polyhydric alcohol is incorporated at a high concn. in addition to these essential components therein. For example, glycerol, propylene glycol, etc., are used as the polyhydric alcohol. As a result, the medium adequate for the object, such as a person of advance age, with which the bright image is heretofore unobtainable may be obtd.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gel composition suitable for non-invasive ultrasonic diagnosis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic diagnosis is a non-invasive diagnosis and is therefore often used in health examinations and the like. A particular problem in such diagnosis is to make the probe adhere to the skin accurately and to make the propagation rate of the ultrasonic waves as uniform as possible. If the transmission rate is uneven, the echo is disturbed, and a clear image cannot be obtained. For this reason, a gel-like medium has been present between the probe and the skin. As such a gel, polyvinyl alcohol gel or cartlan was used.However, there are people such as elderly people who have many wrinkles formed on the skin or have increased unevenness of the skin structure. If eligible,
The improvement of the transmission rate by such a gel was often ineffective. On the other hand, with the aging of the population and the spread of medical examinations for the elderly, the development of ultrasonic diagnostics applicable to such people has been desired. That is, there has been a demand for the development of a medium for ultrasonic diagnosis, which is suitable for an object such as an elderly person who cannot obtain a clear image with a conventional medium.

[0003] On the other hand, carboxyvinyl polymers and xanthan gum are widely used as gelling / thickening agents in the fields of cosmetics and external medicines for the skin. However, they are not used as a medium for ultrasonic diagnosis. It was not yet known. Furthermore, the combination of carboxyvinyl polymer and celtrol was never known to be very suitable as a medium for ultrasonic diagnostics, and the effect was further increased when polyhydric alcohol was added at a high concentration. It was not known at all that it would be significant.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is suitable for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus suitable for an object such as an elderly person who cannot obtain a clear image with a conventional medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medium.

[0005]

In view of such circumstances, the present inventors have made ardent research efforts in search of a medium for ultrasonic diagnosis that is suitable for an object such as an elderly person who cannot obtain a clear image with a conventional medium. As a result, the inventors have found such properties in a gel composition containing a salt of a carboxyvinyl polymer and xanthan gum and completed the invention. As a result of further detailed studies, the present inventors have found that the effect of the polyhydric alcohol contained in the gel at a high concentration is significantly increased, and the present invention has been developed. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail focusing on embodiments.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) Constitution of Gel Composition of the Present Invention The gel composition of the present invention is characterized by containing a salt of a carboxyvinyl polymer and xanthan gum. Here, as the carboxyvinyl polymer, those usually used in cosmetics and external preparations for medicine can be used without limitation.
As such a carboxyvinyl polymer, for example,
Commercially available products include Carbopol 940 and Carbopol 941 manufactured by Goodrich Co., Ltd., and Hibiswako 104 manufactured by Wako Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Of these, particularly preferred is the case where Carbopol 941 and Hibiswako 104 are used in combination. The preferred mixing ratio of the combination of the two is Carbopol 941: Hibiswako 104 = 1: 5-1: 2. This is because the hardness (viscosity) of the gel in this range is preferable for the sharpness of the image at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis. Further, salts that neutralize these are not particularly limited as long as they are physiologically acceptable. For example, alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium, and alkaline earth salts such as calcium and magnesium Examples thereof include metal salts, ammonium salts, organic amine salts such as triethylamine and triethanolamine, and basic amino acid salts such as lysine and arginine. Among them, alkali metal salts are particularly preferable, and sodium salt is particularly preferable. This is because the obtained gel has such a salt that the salt has some thixotropy, and is buried without gaps between the probe and the skin when the probe is worn. The preferred content of these carboxyvinyl polymers is 0.1 to 5% by weight in total.
And more preferably 0.3 to 1% by weight. In addition to these carboxyvinyl polymers, xanthan gum is an essential component in the present invention. This component stabilizes the structure of the aqueous gel formed by the salt of the carboxyvinyl polymer in the presence of ultrasonic waves, and at the same time, reduces the propagation rate of vibration. It has the effect of improving. The preferred content of xanthan gum in the composition of the present invention is from 0.01 to 1% by weight, more preferably from 0.03 to 0.5% by weight.
This is because if the amount of this component is too large, the gel structure becomes too flexible and the transmissivity may be impaired. If the amount is too small, the effect of improving the vibration transmissibility cannot be expected.

In addition, the gel composition of the present invention preferably contains a polyhydric alcohol at a high concentration in addition to these essential components. Such a polyhydric alcohol can be used without any particular limitation as long as it is used in cosmetics and external preparations, and examples thereof include glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, polyethylene glycol, and dipropylene. Glycol, diglycerin, polyglycerin, maltitol, sorbitol and the like can be preferably exemplified. Among these, a combination of glycerin and propylene glycol and / or 1,3-butanediol is preferable, and the weight ratio of this combination is glycerin. : Propylene glycol and / or 1,3-butanediol = 2: 3 to 3: 2 are particularly preferred. The content of these polyhydric alcohols is preferably 15 to 25% by weight, more preferably 12 to 23% by weight. This is because by including such components, it is possible to suppress the dissipation of echo due to uneven skin morphology in ultrasonic diagnosis of elderly people with many wrinkles, and thereby to obtain clear images. It is because it can be obtained.

[0008] The gel composition of the present invention may contain, in addition to the above-mentioned components, optional components usually used in cosmetics and external preparations for pharmaceutical use, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Examples of such optional components include hydrocarbons such as petrolatum and microcrystalline wax, esters such as jojoba oil and gay wax, triglycerides such as tallow, olive oil, higher alcohols such as cetanol and oleyl alcohol, and stearic acid. Fatty acids such as oleic acid, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and 1,3-butanediol, nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, ethanol, carbopol, etc. Viscous agent, preservative, UV absorber,
Preferred examples include antioxidants, chelating agents, dyes, powders and the like. The gel composition of the present invention can be obtained by treating these components in a conventional manner.

(2) Physical Properties and Action of the Gel Composition of the Present Invention The thus obtained gel composition of the present invention has a hardness of 2 measured by a soft card meter with a load of 100 g at 20 ° C.
It is preferably from 0 to 40. In the case where the hardness is within this range, a portion that interferes with the propagation of ultrasonic waves such as wrinkles on the skin by being present between the probe and the skin during ultrasonic diagnosis. By improving the transmission rate by penetrating the probe, the transmission rate of the ultrasonic wave is improved, and the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the probe is efficiently propagated to the measurement target. By such an operation, a clear ultrasonic echo image can be obtained regardless of the individual difference of the measurement object. If the hardness is too low, sagging occurs on the skin, and clothes and beds may be stained.If the hardness is too high, a gap may be formed between the probe and the skin, which may impair the clarity of the echo image. Is practically in the above range.

[0010]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1 A gel composition was prepared according to the following formulation. That is, the component (a) was thoroughly stirred at room temperature, uniformly dispersed and solubilized, defoamed, and then neutralized by adding the component (b) under reduced pressure to obtain a gel composition. This hardness is
It was 29 with a soft card meter with a load of 100 g at 20 ° C. A Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 parts by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 parts by weight Water 50 parts by weight Parts b Sodium hydroxide 0.2 parts by weight Water 26.85 parts by weight

Example 2 Using the gel composition of Example 1 and the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 shown below, a person who cannot normally obtain a clear echo image in ultrasonic diagnosis (1 Name,
An ultrasonic echo image of the abdomen was measured using a 63-year-old abdominal skin with many wrinkles and sagging). Compared with the case where no composition is interposed, ++: remarkably improved sharpness, +: clearly improved sharpness, ±: slightly improved sharpness,-: improved sharpness Not observed (approximately), ---: Judgment was made based on the unclear standard. Table 1 shows the results. This indicates that the gel composition of the present invention has an action of sharpening an ultrasonic echo image. Further, it can be seen that this effect is a combination effect of the carboxyvinyl polymer and Celtrol. (Comparative Example 1) Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.1 part by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 part by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 part by weight Water 76.9 parts by weight Parts sodium hydroxide 0.2 parts by weight (Comparative Example 2) methyl paraben 0.2 parts by weight glycerin 12 parts by weight propylene glycol 10 parts by weight ethylenediamine tetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight water 77.45 parts by weight Sodium hydroxide 0.2 parts by weight (Comparative Example 3) Methyl paraben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Ethylenediamine tetraacetate 0.1 part by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 part by weight Polyvinyl alcohol 0.6 part by weight 77.05 parts by weight of water Comparative Example 4) Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 0.1 part by weight Carrageenan 0.05 part by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 part by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 part by weight 76.85 parts by weight of water

[0013]

[Table 1]

<Examples 3 to 7> Gel compositions were prepared according to the following formulations. That is, the component (a) was thoroughly stirred at room temperature, uniformly dispersed and solubilized, defoamed, and then neutralized by adding the component (b) under reduced pressure to obtain a gel composition. Table 2 shows the same evaluation results as those of Example 2 (same for panelists). This indicates that a combination of Hibiswako 104 and Carbopol 941 is preferable as the carboxyvinyl polymer. Further, the mixing ratio is as follows: Carbopol 941: Hibiswako 104 = 1: 5-1: 2
Is also preferable. A Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight Carboxyvinyl polymer * 0.6 parts by weight Water 50 parts by weight sodium hydroxide 0. 2 parts by weight Water 26.85 parts by weight * Details are shown in Table 2.

[0015]

[Table 2]

Example 8 A gel composition was prepared according to the following formulation. That is, the component (a) was thoroughly stirred at room temperature, uniformly dispersed and solubilized, defoamed, and then neutralized by adding the component (b) under reduced pressure to obtain a gel composition. When the same evaluation as that of Example 2 was performed, it was + to ++.
(Same for panelists) i Methyl paraben 0.2 parts by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight Ethylenediamine tetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 parts by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 parts by weight Water 72 parts by weight 0.2 parts by weight of sodium 26.85 parts by weight of water

Examples 9 to 15 Gel compositions were prepared according to the following recipe. That is, the component (a) was thoroughly stirred at room temperature, uniformly dispersed and solubilized, defoamed, and then neutralized by adding the component (b) under reduced pressure to obtain a gel composition. The sharpness of the echo image when these were used was compared with the gel composition of Example 8 in comparison with ++: markedly improved sharpness, +: significantly improved sharpness, ±: slightly improved sharpness ,-: No improvement in clarity was observed (approximately equal); Table 3 shows the results. From these results, in the present invention, it is preferable to contain a polyhydric alcohol at a high concentration, and as the polyhydric alcohol, a combination of glycerin and propylene glycol and / or 1,3-butanediol is preferable. The weight ratio of the combination is particularly preferably glycerin: propylene glycol and / or 1,3-butanediol = 2: 3 to 3: 2. The content of these polyhydric alcohols is 15 to 25.
It turns out that weight% is preferable. The panelists used were 71-year-old panelists who had many wrinkles and sagging on their abdomen. A Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 parts by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 parts by weight Water and polyhydric alcohol ** 72 parts by weight B Water 0.2 parts by weight of sodium oxide 26.85 parts by weight of water ** Details are shown in Table 3. PG represents propylene glycol, 13BG represents 1,3-butanediol, and PEG represents polyethylene glycol 400.

[0018]

[Table 3]

<Examples 16 to 18> According to the following formulation,
A gel composition was made. That is, the component (a) was thoroughly stirred at room temperature, uniformly dispersed and solubilized, defoamed, and then neutralized by adding the component (b) under reduced pressure to obtain a gel composition. The hardness of this was measured at 20 ° C. with a soft card meter with a load of 100 g. According to the method of Example 2, evaluation was performed using the same panelists as in Example 2. Table 4 shows the results. This shows that the hardness is preferably 20 to 40. A. Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight Hibiswako 104 ****** parts by weight are described in Table 4 in detail. Carbopol 941 0.1 parts by weight Water 50 parts by weight b Sodium hydroxide *** The parts by weight are described in detail in Table 4. 26.85 parts by weight of water

[0020]

[Table 4]

[0021]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medium for ultrasonic diagnosis which is suitable for an object such as an old man who cannot obtain a clear image with a conventional medium.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 3, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0003] On the other hand, carboxyvinyl polymers and / or salts and xanthan gum are widely used as gelling / thickening agents in the fields of cosmetics and skin external medicines, but these are used as a medium for ultrasonic diagnosis. Its use was not yet known. Furthermore, it has never been known that the combination of a carboxyvinyl polymer and / or a salt with xanthan gum is extremely suitable as a medium for ultrasonic diagnostics, and this effect is further enhanced when polyhydric alcohol is added at a high concentration. It was not known at all that it would become more significant.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Example 2 Using the gel composition of Example 1 and the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 shown below, a person who cannot normally obtain a clear echo image in ultrasonic diagnosis (1 Name,
An ultrasonic echo image of the abdomen was measured using a 63-year-old abdominal skin with many wrinkles and sagging). Compared with the case where no composition is interposed, ++: remarkably improved sharpness, +: clearly improved sharpness, ±: slightly improved sharpness,-: improved sharpness Not observed (approximately), ---: Judgment was made based on the unclear standard. Table 1 shows the results. This indicates that the gel composition of the present invention has an action of sharpening an ultrasonic echo image. Further, it can be seen that this effect is a combination effect of the carboxyvinyl polymer and xanthan gum. (Comparative Example 1) Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.1 part by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 part by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 part by weight Water 76.9 parts by weight Parts sodium hydroxide 0.2 parts by weight (Comparative Example 2) methyl paraben 0.2 parts by weight glycerin 12 parts by weight propylene glycol 10 parts by weight ethylenediamine tetraacetate 0.1 parts by weight xanthan gum 0.05 parts by weight water 77.45 parts by weight Sodium hydroxide 0.2 parts by weight (Comparative Example 3) Methyl paraben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Ethylenediamine tetraacetate 0.1 part by weight Xanthan gum 0.05 part by weight Polyvinyl alcohol 0.6 part by weight 77.05 parts by weight of water Comparative Example 4) Methylparaben 0.2 parts by weight Glycerin 12 parts by weight Propylene glycol 10 parts by weight Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 0.1 part by weight Carrageenan 0.05 part by weight Hibiswako 104 0.5 part by weight Carbopol 941 0.1 part by weight 76.85 parts by weight of water

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A gel composition for ultrasonic diagnosis, comprising a salt of a carboxyvinyl polymer and xanthan gum. 2. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the salt of the carboxyvinyl polymer is a sodium salt. 3. The gel composition according to claim 1, further comprising 15 to 25% by weight of a polyhydric alcohol. 4. The polyhydric alcohol is glycerin: propylene glycol and / or 1,3-butanediol =
The gel composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gel composition is a mixture having a weight ratio of 2: 3 to 3: 2. 5. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the subject to be diagnosed is an elderly person. 6. The gel composition according to claim 1, which has a hardness of 20 to 40 measured by a soft card meter with a load of 100 g at 20 ° C.