Abstract: Lipid formulation particularly for preparing stable gas-filled microvesicles, comprising distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEG5000 (DPPE-PEG5000) and palmitic acid in an advantageous relative molar ratio. The formulation is useful in particular for therapeutic application with ultrasounds.

Abstract: Lipid formulation particularly for preparing stable gas-filled microvesicles, comprising distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEG5000 (DPPE-PEG5000) and palmitic acid in an advantageous relative molar ratio. The formulation is useful in particular for therapeutic application with ultrasounds.

Abstract: Lipid formulation particularly for preparing stable gas-filled microvesicles, comprising distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEG5000 (DPPE-PEG5000) and palmitic acid in an advantageous relative molar ratio. The formulation is useful in particular for therapeutic application with ultrasounds.

Abstract: A freeze-dried powder composition comprising a phospholipid and a polyethylene glycol, said polyethylene glycol having a percentage of folded polymeric chains of 40% or higher. The composition is suitable for preparing gas-filled microvesicles.

Abstract: A freeze-dried powder composition comprising a phospholipid and a polyethylene glycol, said polyethylene glycol having a percentage of folded polymeric chains of 40% or higher. The composition is suitable for preparing gas-filled microvesicles.

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 having respective peaks of non-linear echographic response differing by at least 2 MHz to each other, and preferably have respective size distributions with different median sizes. In particular, said preparations preferably have size distributions with respective DV50 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.

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: 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 having respective peaks of non-linear echographic response differing by at least 2 MHz to each other, and preferably have respective size distributions with different median sizes. In particular, said preparations preferably have size distributions with respective DV50 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.

Abstract: Method for preparing a lyophilized matrix and, upon reconstitution of the same, a respective injectable contrast agent comprising a liquid aqueous suspension of gas-filled microbubbles stabilized predominantly by a phospholipid. The method comprises preparing an emulsion from an aqueous medium, a phospholipid and a water immiscible organic solvent. The emulsion is then freeze-dried and subsequently reconstituted in an aqueous suspension of gas-filled microbubbles. The method allows to obtain suspensions comprising microbubbles having a relatively small diameter and a narrow size distribution.

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 having respective peaks of non-liner echographic response differing by at least 2 MHz to each other, and preferably have respective size distributions with different mean sizes. In particular, said preparations preferably have size distributions with respective DV50 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device capable of stopping the bleeding caused by the withdrawal of an introducer stuck into an introduction area of a patient. The device comprises: a base; a supporting means capable of temporarily attaching the base to the patient; an applicator supported by the base and provided with a transparent pad; and a screw-and-nut adjustment means capable of moving the applicator toward the introduction area so that the applicator moves to a position where the pad exerts pressure on the introduction area. The screw-and-nut system is located completely outside the diameter of the transparent pad. The invention can be used for angiography and angioplasty operations.

Abstract: A closure device to be connected to a container, which includes a cap, a moving shutter and a lid, where the moving shutter is housed in a compartment of the cap and presents a platform provided with holes, two elastically deformable tongues and a body with a cylindrical section held in place and guided by a chimney in the lid, where the lid includes a central hole that allows the product to exit. The moving shutter is operated by pressing on the elastic container, which allows a dose of the product to come out, the moving shutter then being returned to its rest position by the tongues.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device capable of stopping the bleeding caused by the withdrawal of an injector stuck into an injection area of a patient. The device comprises: a base; a supporting means capable of temporarily attaching the base to the patient; an applicator supported by the base and provided with a transparent pad; and a screw-and-nut adjustment means capable of moving the applicator toward the injection area so that the applicator moves to a position where the pad exerts pressure on the injection area. The screw-and-nut system is located completely outside the diameter of the transparent pad. The invention can be used for angiography and angioplasty operations.

Abstract: Closure device, to be connected to a container (1), which comprises a measuring cap (2), a moving shutter (17) and a lid (24), where the moving shutter (17) is housed in a compartment (3) of the measuring cap (2) and presents a platform (18) provided with holes (19), two elastically deformable tongues (20) and a body with a cylindrical section (21, 22) held in place and guided by a chimney (27) in the lid (24), where the lid (24) comprises a central hole (29) that allows the product to exit. The moving shutter (17) is operated by pressing on the elastic container (1), which allows a dose of the product to come out, the moving shutter then being returned to its rest position by the tongues (20).

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: 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: 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: Method for preparing a lyophilized matrix and, upon reconstitution of the same, a respective injectable contrast agent comprising a liquid aqueous suspension of gas-filled microbubbles stabilized predominantly by a phospholipid. The method comprises preparing an emulsion from an aqueous medium, a phospholipid and a water immiscible organic solvent. The emulsion is then freeze-dried and subsequently reconstituted in an aqueous suspension of gas-filled microbubbles. The method allows to obtain suspensions comprising microbubbles having a relatively small diameter and a narrow size distribution.

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 microbububbles 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: The invention relates to a dry deposit as a precursor to liposome vesicles, the precursor being a three dimensional expanded structure with bulk density between 0.01 and 0.001 g/cm.sup.3. The invention also concerns a method of making liposome vesicles with an enhanced entrapment capacity by dissolving one or more film forming lipids in at least one organic solvent to form a solution in a reaction vessel, evaporating the solvent to form an expanded three dimensional porous lipid structure, contacting the lipid deposit with an aqueous carrier phase, and producing liposome vesicles entrapping the carrier phase as well as an apparatus comprising an array of tubing or an inert packing which serves as a material support or a matrix surface for the deposition of lipids produced according to the method.