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Abstract

This invention pertains to the use of a degassed perfluorocarbon ('PFC') liquid as a method of removing gas emboli from parts of a patient's internal anatomy. Moreover, the invention can be used as a method of imaging parts of a patient's internal anatomy. Furthermore, the invention can also be used as a way of delivering biological agents to parts of a patient's internal anatomy which contain or are surrounded by gas emboli and/or which are to be imaged. In this invention, a degassed PFC liquid is delivered to a region within the patient's internal anatomy which contains gas emboli and/or which is to be imaged. If gas emboli are present, the degassed liquid is permitted to absorb at least a portion of the emboli. Thereafter, the emboli-containing liquid is removed from the patient or is used as an imaging agent. If gas emboli are not present, the cite is imaged before the degassed liquid reaches atmospheric equilibrium. Thereafter, the liquid is removed from the patient. Moreover, by mixing a biological agent with the degassed PFC liquid, the mixture can be used as a way of topically treating parts within a patient's internal anatomy. Furthermore, by regulating the temperature of the degassed liquid, it can also be used as a way of hypo- or hyperthermically treating the patient.

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First Claim