Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 4,894,445
Introduction
United States Patent 4,894,445, titled "Radiolabeled Complexes of Transition Metals," was granted on January 23, 1990, to inventors Carpenter, Jr., and others. This patent is significant in the field of nuclear medicine, particularly for the development of radiolabeled complexes used in medical imaging. Here, we will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.
Background of the Invention
The patent 4,894,445 builds upon earlier research in radiopharmaceuticals, which are compounds that include a radioactive element and are used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The background section of the patent highlights the need for stable and effective radiolabeled complexes that can be used to image various bodily tissues and organs.
Summary of the Invention
The invention described in this patent involves radiolabeled complexes of transition metals, specifically focusing on the use of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and other transition metals. These complexes are designed to be stable in vivo and to accumulate in specific tissues or organs, making them useful for diagnostic imaging.
Claims of the Patent
The patent includes several claims that define the scope of the invention:
Independent Claims
- Claim 1: This claim describes the radiolabeled complex comprising a transition metal, a ligand, and a radiolabel, where the transition metal is selected from a group including technetium, rhenium, and others.
- Claim 2: This claim specifies the ligand as a diphosphine or a diphosphine derivative, which is crucial for stabilizing the complex.
Dependent Claims
- These claims further specify the types of ligands, the methods of preparing the complexes, and the uses of these complexes in medical imaging.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The detailed description section provides a comprehensive overview of how the radiolabeled complexes are prepared, their chemical structures, and their properties. It includes:
Preparation Methods
The patent outlines various methods for synthesizing the radiolabeled complexes, including the use of reducing agents to form the desired metal-ligand complexes.
Chemical Structures
The description includes detailed chemical structures of the complexes, highlighting the importance of the ligand in stabilizing the transition metal.
Properties and Uses
The complexes are described as being highly stable and having a high affinity for specific tissues, making them ideal for imaging applications such as myocardial perfusion imaging.
Prior Art and References Cited
The patent references several prior art documents, including earlier patents and scientific publications. For example:
- U.S. Patent 4,452,774 to Jones et al., which describes related radiolabeled complexes.
- U.S. Patent 4,707,544 to Jones et al., which discusses the use of diphosphine ligands in radiopharmaceuticals[4].
Patent Landscape
Related Patents
- US 5,961,952: This patent, granted to Crane et al., describes a method of radioimaging breast tumors using technetium-99m and rhenium complexes, which is related to the technology described in US 4,894,445[4].
- US 4885100: This patent discusses tris(isonitrile)copper(I) adducts for preparing radionuclide complexes, which shares some similarities with the transition metal complexes in US 4,894,445[5].
International Patent Databases
To understand the global patent landscape, one can refer to international patent databases such as those provided by the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)[1].
Search and Analysis Tools
For a comprehensive analysis, one can use tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, and the Common Citation Document (CCD) to identify related patents and prior art. These tools help in visualizing the patent family and understanding the citation data across different patent offices[1].
Economic and Research Implications
The Patent Claims Research Dataset provided by the USPTO can offer insights into the economic and research implications of patents like US 4,894,445. This dataset includes detailed information on claims from US patents and can help in analyzing trends and the scope of patent protection[3].
Conclusion
United States Patent 4,894,445 is a significant contribution to the field of radiopharmaceuticals, providing stable and effective radiolabeled complexes for medical imaging. Understanding the scope and claims of this patent, along with its position in the broader patent landscape, is crucial for researchers and inventors working in this area.
Key Takeaways
- Stable Radiolabeled Complexes: The patent describes the preparation and use of stable radiolabeled complexes of transition metals.
- Medical Imaging: These complexes are particularly useful for diagnostic imaging in nuclear medicine.
- Prior Art and References: The patent builds upon earlier research and references several prior art documents.
- Global Patent Landscape: The invention is part of a larger global patent landscape that includes related patents and international databases.
- Economic and Research Implications: The patent's impact can be analyzed using datasets and research tools provided by the USPTO.
FAQs
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What is the main invention described in US Patent 4,894,445?
- The main invention is the radiolabeled complexes of transition metals, specifically using technetium-99m and other metals, for medical imaging.
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How are the radiolabeled complexes prepared according to the patent?
- The complexes are prepared using reducing agents to form the desired metal-ligand complexes.
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What are the key claims of the patent?
- The key claims include the description of the radiolabeled complex, the types of ligands used, and the methods of preparation.
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What prior art is referenced in the patent?
- The patent references earlier patents and scientific publications related to radiolabeled complexes and diphosphine ligands.
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How can one analyze the global patent landscape related to this invention?
- One can use international patent databases and tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search and Global Dossier to analyze the global patent landscape.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents
- ACUS - U.S. Patent Small Claims Court
- USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset
- United States Patent (19) - googleapis.com
- PubChem - Tris(isonitrile)copper(I) adducts for preparing radionuclide complexes
