Abstract: This invention relates to a large scale method for the production of medical grade lipid-coated microbubbles, to the paramagnetic labeling of such microbubbles and to therapeutic applications for the microbubbles. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of the production of medical grade, concentrated suspensions of stable, paramagnetically derivatized or underivatized microbubbles useful for ultrasonic and magnetic resonance imaging and also relates to therapeutic interventions such as selective tumor destruction.

Abstract: Surfactant mixtures for the production of stable gas-in-liquid emulsions are provided comprising:(a) a member selected from the group consisting of glycerol monoesters of saturated carboxylic acids containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and aliphatic alcohols containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms;(b) a sterol-aromatic acid ester;(c) a member selected from the group consisting of sterols, terpenes, bile acids and alkali metal salts of bile acids;(d) a member selected from the group consisting of sterol esters of aliphatic acids containing from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms; sterol esters of sugar acids; esters of sugar acids and aliphatic alcohols containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms; esters of sugars and aliphatic acids containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms; sugar acids; saponins; and sapogenins; and(e) a member selected from the group consisting of glycerol, glycerol di- or triesters of aliphatic acids containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and aliphati