Abstract: A method is disclosed to administer to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of one or more therapeutic agents. The method provides a patient comprising a blood vessel, supplies a therapeutic agent comprising a plurality of gas-filled microspheres, and supplies a catheter comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an infusion length disposed adjacent the distal end, where that infusion length is formed to include an infusion pattern comprising a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The method catheterizes the blood vessel using the catheter, prepares an aqueous mixture comprising the first therapeutic agent, disposes that aqueous mixture in a container, interconnects the container to the proximal end of said catheter, and administers the aqueous mixture into the blood vessel through the plurality of apertures extending through the catheter.

Abstract: Novel targeted compositions which may be used for diagnostic and therapeutic use. The compositions may comprise lipid, protein or polymer gas-filled vesicles which further comprise novel compounds of the general formula L-P-T, wherein L comprises a hydrophobic compound, P comprises a hydrophilic polymer, and T comprises a targeting ligand which targets tissues, cells or receptors, including myocardial cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, tumor cells and the glycoprotein GPIIbIIIa receptor. The compositions can be used in conjunction with diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, as well as therapeutic applications, such as therapeutic ultrasound.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed to treat a patient sustaining cerebral ischemia or an ischemic stroke in the brain. The method supplies an ultrasound emitting device 100 comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducers (180) and emitting first ultrasound energy by the ultrasound emitting device, where that first ultrasound energy comprises first power. The method locates using the first ultrasound energy an occlusion disposed in one of the patient's cerebral blood vessels. The method then emits second ultrasound energy by the ultrasound emitting device, where that second ultrasound energy comprises second power, where the second power is greater than said first power. The method lyses the occlusion using the second ultrasound energy.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method to administer stem cells to a patient in need thereof. The method provides acoustically active material, stem cells, and an ultrasound energy emitting device. The method administers the acoustically active material to the patient, administers the stem cells to the patient, and administers ultrasound energy to the patient using the ultrasound emitting device.

Abstract: An ultrasound energy emitting apparatus is disclosed. The ultrasound energy emitting apparatus comprises a hand-held enclosure and a plurality of ultrasound transducers disposed on that enclosure, or disposed within and extending outwardly from the enclosure. The plurality of ultrasound transducers can be operated simultaneously, or in a programmed fashion whereunder one or more of, but fewer than all, of the transducers emit ultrasound energy at one time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring the presence of an analyte in a closed vial wherein a sample contained within the closed vial is conveyed to an analyzer. The analyzer determines a value of an ultrasound velocity dependent on analyte concentration at a position within a headspace formed above the sample within the vial. An indicator is used to compare the measured value of the ultrasound velocity with a predetermined limit criteria to determine the presence or absence of the analyte. Vials wherein the presence of the analyte is denominated are indicated as product vials whereas vials wherein the absence of the analyte is denominated are indicated as rejected vials. The rejected vials are conveyed by a transferrer to a rejected vial station. A first portion of the product vials are conveyed by a sampler to a sample collection station. A second portion of the product vials are conveyed to a labeler.

Abstract: A polymer-encapsulated phospholipid microsphere, comprising a plurality of lipid molecules disposed in a liquid and arranged to define an enclosed space, and one or more polymers partially or completely encapsulating that enclosed space. The one or more polymers may be functionalized with either a therapeutic agent and/or a targeting ligand either before, or after, deposition of the polymer onto the phospholipid microsphere.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to prepare a microsphere-forming composition. The method provides a carbon-containing first solvent, where that first solvent is water soluble but does not comprise water The method further provides a second solvent comprising water, and (N) phosphorus-containing compounds, where (N) is greater or equal to than 1. The method forms a first mixture by mixing each of the (N) phosphorus-containing compound with the first solvent, and forms a second mixture comprising the second solvent and sodium chloride. The method then combines the first mixture and the second mixture to form the microsphere-forming composition.

Abstract: A neuromuscular blocking preparation for blocking and/or alleviating a vasospasm is provided, the preparation comprising a plurality of gas-or a gas precursor-filled microspheres, and a neuromuscular blocking agent. Methods for using such a preparation for blocking and/or alleviating a vasospasm are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical liquid compositions, comprising a liquid, a prodrug, and a large quantity of microbubbles formed by a gas dispersed in the liquid, the microbubbles having a diameter between about 0.1 ?m and 100 ?m, wherein a majority of the prodrug is present outside the microbubbles. The compositions can be used for an ultrasound therapy or for enhancing effects of an ultrasound therapy. The compositions are also useful for enhancing the therapeutic effect of a prodrug, and for enhancing the therapeutic effect of ultrasound.

Abstract: Provided herein are coated medical devices. More specifically, at least a portion of the device (e.g., catheter) is coated with an active component, wherein the active component prevents or treats occlusions and the formation(s) thereof.

Abstract: An ultrasound emitting device is disclosed. The ultrasound emitting device includes a sound head matrix comprising a first planar member, and a second planar member, wherein the first planar member is attached to the second planar member to form a V-shaped assembly comprising a first interior dihedral angle, where that first interior dihedral angle is between about 155 degrees and about 175 degrees. The ultrasound emitting device further comprises a first plurality of ultrasound transducers disposed on the first planar member, and a second plurality of ultrasound transducers disposed on the second planar member.

Abstract: The present invention describes, inter alia, oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes comprising a fluorinated gas and a stabilizing material, uses for the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes, and apparatus for making and delivering the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing temperature activated gaseous precursor-filled liposomes are described. Gaseous precursor-filled liposomes prepared by these methods are particularly usefull for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems. Gas, gaseous precursors and perfluorocarbons are presented as novel potentiators for ultrasonic hyper-thermia. The gas, gaseous precursors and perfluorocarbons which may be administered into the vasculature, interstitially or into any body cavity are designed to accumulate in cancerous and diseased tissues. When therapeutic ultrasonic energy is applied to the diseased region heating is increased because of the greater effectiveness of sound energy absorption caused by these agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to charged lipids, compositions comprising charged lipids, and the use of these compositions in drug delivery, targeted drug delivery, therapeutic imaging and diagnostic imaging, as well as their use as contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention describes, among other things, the surprising discovery that gaseous precursor filled compositions are profoundly more effective as acoustically active contrast agents when they are thermally preactivated to temperatures at or above the boiling point of the instilled gaseous precursor prior to their in vivo administration to a patient. Further optimization of contrast enhancement is achieved by administering the gaseous precursor filled compositions to a patient as an infusion. Enhanced effectiveness is also achieved for ultrasound mediated targeting and drug delivery.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of vascular neuromuscular blockade including percutaneous delivery of a quantity of neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to an affected region of a vessel.

Abstract: A system for applying energy to cells so as to elicit the formation of pores, to enhance transfection, and/or cell transformation, includes a computer, a plurality of acoustic probes for controllably applying acoustic energy to batches of cells, and a robot operatively for effecting relative movement between the probes and the batches of cells. Preferably, the acoustic energy comprises ultrasonic energy, which is applied in combination with optical or electrical energy to enhance the formation of pores in surface membranes of the cells.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of vascular neuromuscular blockade including percutaneous delivery of a quantity of neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to an affected region of a vessel.

Abstract: Novel methods of non-invasive intravascular surgery are disclosed, which include the intravascular administration of a composition comprising gas or gaseous precursor filled vesicles, followed by application of ultrasound in an amount sufficient to induce activation or rupture of the vesicles. The methods optionally also include the step of scanning the patient with diagnostic imaging to determine the presence of the vesicles in the region.