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: Gas-filled microvesicles comprising a boundary envelope containing a gas, wherein said microvesicles comprise: —a first component, bound to said envelope, having binding affinity for an Fc-region of an antibody; and—a second component comprising a Fc-region of an antibody, bound to said first component through said Fc-region, said second component comprising a targeting ligand or a therapeutic agent. Aqueous suspensions of said microvesicles are particularly useful in contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: An embodiment of a medical imaging system is proposed. The system includes means for providing a sequence of recorded input images each one offering a digital representation at a corresponding instant of a body part being perfused with a contrast agent, each input image including a plurality of visualizing values each one representing a corresponding portion of the body part, and means for associating each sequence of corresponding sets in the input images of at least one visualizing value with a model function of time; the system further includes means for generating a sequence of computed images at further instants, each computed image including a plurality of further visualizing values each one being determined by an instantaneous function-value which is calculated from the associated model function at the corresponding further instant, and means for displaying the sequence of computed images.

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 perfusion assessment system is proposed.

Abstract: A solution for diagnostic applications is proposed. Particularly, a corresponding diagnostic system includes means (903-906) for providing (A1-A3) a plurality of input signals representative of a body-part being perfused with a contrast agent over time, each input signal being indicative of a response to an interrogating stimulus of a corresponding location of the body-part possibly including the contrast agent, means (909-930) for generating (A4.1-A4.3) a plurality of filtered signals from selected input signals of selected locations, each filtered signal at each instant over time being generated from a corresponding selected input signal according to a portion of the selected input signal including said instant, and means (933-939) for monitoring (A4.4-A4.

Abstract: Composition comprising gas filled microcapsules and a bioactive agent, useful for an ultrasound-mediated delivery of said bioactive agent. The microcapsules comprise a relatively stiff shell of polymeric or lipid material and have in particular a resistance to a mechanical index of at least 0.15, while the bioactive agent is substantially unbound to the shell of the microcapsules. The composition of the invention is particularly suitable for effectively delivering a genetic material into a cell, upon exposure of the composition to a level of acoustic pressure capable of destroying a portion of the microcapsules and releasing the gas contained therein.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical kit comprising (i) a targeting construct which comprises a targeting ligand and an anti-polymer antibody and (ii) a polymer-containing liposome or gas-filled microvesicle capable of binding or associating to said construct. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and of administering said assembly, as well as an assembly comprising said targeting construct and said liposome or gas-filled microvesicle.

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: 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: Gas-filled microvesicles comprising a boundary envelope containing a gas, wherein said microvesicles comprise: —a first component, bound to said envelope, having binding affinity for an Fc-region of an antibody; and—a second component comprising a Fc-region of an antibody, bound to said first component through said Fc-region, said second component comprising a targeting ligand or a therapeutic agent. Aqueous suspensions of said microvesicles are particularly useful in contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: Image enhancing contrast agents for use in diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods, particularly in the form of gas-filled microvesicles, with enhanced stability. The gas-filled microvesicles are stabilized by a layer of amphiphilic material and comprise from 0.15% to 1.0% by moles of a lipid bearing a hydrophilic polymer. The lipid bearing a hydrophilic polymer is preferably a phospholipid linked to polyethyleneglycol.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the detection of an immobilized contrast agent in medical imaging applications is proposed.

Abstract: A kit comprising a medical dispensing container (402), such as a vial for diagnostic agents, and a liquid transfer device (401) to be used to transfer a liquid into or from said dispensing container. The transfer device allows substantially limiting the gaseous exchange between the inside of a vial and the external ambient, when the device is connected to the vial in steady state conditions.

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: Composition comprising gas filled microcapsules and a bioactive agent, useful for an ultrasound-mediated delivery of said bioactive agent. The microcapsules comprise a relatively stiff shell of polymeric or lipid material and have in particular a resistance to a mechanical index of at least 0.15, while the bioactive agent is substantially unbound to the shell of the microcapsules. The composition of the invention is particularly suitable for effectively delivering a genetic material into a cell, upon exposure of the composition to a level of acoustic pressure capable of destroying a portion of the microcapsules and releasing the gas contained therein.

Abstract: Method and kit for determining the possible appearance of adverse reactions (such as anaphylactoid reactions) in patients in need to undergo to an administration of a pharmaceutical compound. The method for determining potential hypersensitivity in a patient to pseudo-allergic reactions comprises adding a predetermined amount of a compound with anaphylatoxic activity to a sample of the patient's blood and determining the amount of activation of the patient's basophil cells in said blood sample. The compound with anaphylatoxic activity is preferably selected from C3a, C5a, analogs of C3a or C5a, derivatives of C3a or C5a, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Liquid transfer device to be used to transfer a liquid into or from a dispensing container, particularly a medical dispensing container like a vial for diagnostic agents and kit comprising a vial, a syringe and a device of the aforementioned type. The transfer device comprises a valve which substantially limits the gaseous exchange between the inside of a vial and the external ambient, when the device is connected to the vial in steady state conditions.

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.