MUMBAI, India, July 24 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202531052856 A) filed by Indian Institute Of Technology on May 30, 2025, for Gas-Encapsulated Acoustically Responsive Contrast Agents Using Bio- Derived Natural Proteins And Method Of Synthesis.
Inventors include Halder, Sumana; Samanta, Tridib; Dasgupta, Prof. Swagata; Mandal, Dr. Subhamoy; and Chaudhury, Prof. Koel.
The application for the patent was published on July 17, 2026, under issue no. 29/2026.
Abstract: ABSTRACT “GAS-ENCAPSULATED ACOUSTICALLY RESPONSIVE CONTRAST AGENTS USING BIO-DERIVED NATURAL PROTEINS AND METHOD OF SYNTHESIS” The present invention involves the development of an ultrasound contrast agent using keratin protein extracted from human hair (HHK), offering a biocompatible, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to current agents. These contrast microbubbles are synthesized using a simple sonication-based method that does not require chemical modification, preheating, or complex processing steps, preserving protein functionality while reducing energy input. The HHK microbubbles demonstrate high stability when encapsulating low molecular weight gases such as oxygen or nitrogen, maintaining structural integrity across a wide range of physiological pH and temperatures for over six months. Though it is a protein microbubble , it can provide excellent contrast as par with lipid shelled ones, without compromising on the contrast and also can carry payloads like polymer shelld ones owing to the thickness of its shell which is similar to polymer ones.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
