Abstract: The invention is directed to injectable suspensions of gas-filled microvesicles, as well as methods of preparing and using the same, especially as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds for targeting endothelial cells, tumor cells or other cells that express the NP-1 receptor, compositions containing the same and methods for their use. Additionally, the present invention includes diagnostic, therapeutic and radiotherapeutic compositions useful for visualization, therapy or radiotherapy.

Abstract: A power assisted method and injector device for controllably delivering to patients a dispersion medicament or diagnostically active agent, the homogeneity of which is preserved throughout delivery. Diagnostically active agents disclosed are gas microbubble suspensions useful in ultrasonic diagnostic imaging and liposomal formulations in which liposome vesicles are loaded with iodinated compounds.

Abstract: Injectable aqueous suspension of microbubbles filled with a biocompatible gas and a method of preparation thereof. At least 10% of the total volume of gas contained in the microbubbles is contained in microbubbles with a diameter of 1.5 ?m or less. The microbubbles can be obtained by preparing an emulsion comprising an aqueous medium, a phospholipid and a water immiscible organic solvent. The emulsion is then freeze-dried and then reconstituted in an aqueous suspension of gas-filled microbubbles.

Abstract: Assembly comprising a gas-filled microvesicle and a structural entity which is capable to associate through an electrostatic interaction to the outer surface of said microvesicle (microvesicle associated component—MAC), thereby modifying the physico-chemical properties thereof. Said MAC comprises a targeting ligand a diagnostic agent or any combination thereof. Optionally a bioactive agent can further be associated to the MAC. The assembly of the invention can be formed from gas-filled microbubbles or microballoons and a MAC having preferably nanometric dimensions, e.g. a micelle, and is used as an active component in diagnostically and/or therapeutically active formulations, in particular for enhancing the imaging in the field of ultrasound contrast imaging, including targeted ultrasound imaging, ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and other imaging techniques such as molecular resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds for targeting endothelial cells, tumor cells or other cells that express the NP-1 receptor, compositions containing the same and methods for their use. Additionally, the present invention includes diagnostic, therapeutic and radiotherapeutic compositions useful for visualization, therapy or radiotherapy.

Abstract: An embodiment of a solution is proposed for analyzing a body part of a patient, which is perfused with a contrast agent capable of circulating within the patient and of being substantially immobilized on a biological target. An embodiment of a corresponding system includes means for providing an echo signal indicative of a response over time to an interrogation signal of the body part, means for associating the echo signal with a model function of time modeling an evolution over time of the contrast agent in the body part, the model function including a combination of a circulation function modeling the circulation of the contrast agent and a decay function modeling a decay of the echo signal from the immobilized contrast agent, and means for estimating at least one kinetics indicator of the contrast agent from the model function.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds for targeting endothelial cells, tumor cells or other cells that express the NP-1 receptor, compositions containing the same and methods for their use. Additionally, the present invention includes diagnostic, therapeutic and radiotherapeutic compositions useful for visualization, therapy or radiotherapy.

Abstract: Composition for diagnostic or therapeutic use which comprises an assembly comprising an active agent. The assembly comprises a liposome and a plurality of micellar components associated thereto, said micellar components being associated to the outer surface of the envelope of said liposome through a substantially electrostatic interaction, When an active compound is incorporated into the micelles, a substantial amount of said active compound can be linked to a singe liposome. Furthermore, the presence of the outer micellar layer allows to increase the residence time of said liposome in the blood stream.

Abstract: A power assisted method and injector device for controllably delivering to patients a dispersion medicament or diagnostically active agent, the homogeneity of which is preserved throughout delivery. Diagnostically active agents disclosed are gas microbubble suspensions useful in ultrasonic diagnostic imaging and liposomal formulations in which liposome vesicles are loaded with iodinated compounds.

Abstract: A power assisted method and injector device for controllably delivering to patients a dispersion medicament or diagnostically active agent, the homogeneity of which is preserved throughout delivery. Diagnostically active agents disclosed are gas microbubble suspensions useful in ultrasonic diagnostic imaging and liposomal formulations in which liposome vesicles are loaded with iodinated compounds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to injectable suspensions of gas-filled microvesicles, as well as methods of preparing and using the same, especially as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new composition comprising gas-filled microvesicles for contrast imaging which are particularly suitable for providing an effective echo response to at least two selected ultrasound waves having different frequencies. Said composition preferably comprises at least two different preparations of gas-filled microvesicles, which preferably have respective different mean sizes. In particular, said preparations preferably have respective Dv values differing from each other by at least 0.5 ?m, more preferably at least 1.0 ?m. Alternatively, said composition has a volume size distribution showing a value of Bowley skewness of 0.16 or higher. According to a preferred embodiment, at least 95% of the total volume of gas contained in said microvesicles, calculated on the population of microvesicles up to a diameter of 10 ?m, is contained in microvesicles having a diameter of 8 micron or less.

Abstract: Composition for diagnostic or therapeutic use which comprises an assembly comprising an active agent. The assembly comprises a liposome and a plurality of micellar components associated thereto, said micellar components being associated to the outer surface of the envelope of said liposome through a substantially electrostatic interaction. When an active compound is incorporated into the micelles, a substantial amount of said active compound can be linked to a singe liposome. Furthermore, the presence of the outer micellar layer allows to increase the residence time of said liposome in the blood stream.

Abstract: Assembly comprising a gas-filled microvesicle and a structural entity which is capable to associate through an electrostatic interaction to the outer surface of said microvesicle (microvesicle associated component—MAC), thereby modifying the physico-chemical properties thereof. Said MAC comprises a targeting ligand a diagnostic agent or any combination thereof. Optionally a bioactive agent can further be associated to the MAC. The assembly of the invention can be formed from gas-filled microbubbles or microballoons and a MAC having preferably nanometric dimensions, e.g. a micelle, and is used as an active component in diagnostically and/or therapeutically active formulations, in particular for enhancing the imaging in the field of ultrasound contrast imaging, including targeted ultrasound imaging, ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and and other imaging techniques such as molecular resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear imaging.

Abstract: Assembly comprising a gas-filled microvesicle and a structural entity which is capable to associate through an electrostatic interaction to the outer surface of said microvesicle (microvesicle associated component—MAC), thereby modifying the physico-chemical properties thereof. Said MAC may optionally comprise a targeting ligand, a bioactive agent, a diagnostic agent or any combination thereof. The assembly of the invention can be formed from gasfilled microbubbles or microballoons and a MAC having a diameter of less than 100 pm, in particular a micelle and is used as an active component in diagnostically and/or therapeutically active formulations, in particular for enhancing the imaging in the field of ultrasound contrast imaging, including targeted ultrasound imaging, ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and other imaging techniques such as molecular resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear imaging.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003. Contrast agents with particular mixtures of gases are also disclosed that have advantageous properties.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The laminarized surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the laminarized surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase.

Abstract: One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.