Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter-based device for targeted delivery of ultrasound-activated emulsions of oxygen-scavenging droplets into a bloodstream of patients suffering from a hypoxic condition and methods utilizing the device to protect the patients from reperfusion injury upon restoration of oxygenated blood to a hypoxic tissue.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a patient for a condition characterized by an excess blood concentration of dissolved gas in at least one targeted region of the patient are provided. The method comprises administering a composition comprising a perfluorocarbon droplet emulsion into the blood of the patient; insonifying the at least one target region sufficient to achieve formation of microbubbles by droplet vaporization of at least a portion of the perfluorocarbon droplets present in the blood; whereby a concentration gradient favoring movement of gas molecules from the blood into the microbubbles is established for a time frame.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a patient for a condition characterized by an excess blood concentration of dissolved gas in at least one targeted region of the patient are provided. The method comprises administering a composition comprising a perfluorocarbon droplet emulsion into the blood of the patient; insonifying the at least one target region sufficient to achieve formation of microbubbles by droplet vaporization of at least a portion of the perfluorocarbon droplets present in the blood; whereby a concentration gradient favoring movement of gas molecules from the blood into the microbubbles is established for a time frame.

Abstract: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter-based device for targeted delivery of ultrasound-activated emulsions of oxygen-scavenging droplets into the bloodstream of patients suffering from a hypoxic condition and methods utilizing the device to protect the patient from reperfusion injury upon restoration of oxygenated blood to the hypoxic tissue.

Abstract: We disclose a composition comprising an echogenic liposome (ELIP) having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one bilayer comprising at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of saturated phospholipids, unsaturated phospholipids, mixed phospholipids, and cholesterol, and a thrombolytic compound trapped by the ELIP. We also disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient characterized by a thrombus in the patient's vasculature, comprising administering to the patient the composition in an amount effective to reduce the size of the thrombus.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a patient for a condition characterized by an excess blood concentration of dissolved gas in at least one targeted region of the patient are provided. The method comprises administering a composition comprising a perfluorocarbon droplet emulsion into the blood of the patient; insonifying the at least one target region sufficient to achieve formation of microbubbles by droplet vaporization of at least a portion of the perfluorocarbon droplets present in the blood; whereby a concentration gradient favoring movement of gas molecules from the blood into the microbubbles is established for a time frame.

Abstract: We disclose a composition comprising an echogenic liposome (ELIP) having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one bilayer comprising at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of saturated phospholipids, unsaturated phospholipids, mixed phospholipids, and cholesterol, and a thrombolytic compound trapped by the ELIP. We also disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient characterized by a thrombus in the patient's vasculature, comprising administering to the patient the composition in an amount effective to reduce the size of the thrombus.

Abstract: We disclose a composition comprising an echogenic liposome (ELIP) having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one bilayer comprising at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of saturated phospholipids, unsaturated phospholipids, mixed phospholipids, and cholesterol, and a thrombolytic compound trapped by the ELIP. We also disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient characterized by a thrombus in the patient's vasculature, comprising administering to the patient the composition in an amount effective to reduce the size of the thrombus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passively detecting stable cavitation and enhancing stable cavitation during sonothrombolysis are provided. The method of passively detecting stable cavitation includes providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy. The system for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation includes a dual-element annular transducer array configured to provide a fundamental ultrasonic frequency and to detect an ultrasonic frequency that is a derivative of the fundamental frequency. The method of enhancing stable cavitation includes administering a nucleating agent and a thrombolytic agent to a treatment zone, providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy, and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation and/or inertial cavitation for targeted drug delivery across a biological membrane are disclosed. Such methods include administering vesicles having a nucleating agent and a therapeutic drug to a vascular system of a patient, and providing an active interval of ultrasonic exposure substantially throughout a targeted treatment zone. The ultrasonic exposure is produced by a source transducer at a specified fundamental frequency, amplitude, duty cycle, and duration. The methods also include detecting a scattered ultrasonic wave, where the scattered ultrasonic wave is received by a detection transducer. Detection of the scattered ultrasonic wave is indicative of stable and/or inertial cavitation. The ultrasonic exposure is provided intermittently in the active intervals separated by rest periods, and substantially less ultrasonic exposure is provided during the rest period than during the active interval.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passively detecting stable cavitation and enhancing stable cavitation during sonothrombolysis are provided. The method of passively detecting stable cavitation includes providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy. The system for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation includes a dual-element annular transducer array configured to provide a fundamental ultrasonic frequency and to detect an ultrasonic frequency that is a derivative of the fundamental frequency. The method of enhancing stable cavitation includes administering a nucleating agent and a thrombolytic agent to a treatment zone, providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy, and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation and/or inertial cavitation for targeted drug delivery across a biological membrane are disclosed. Such methods include administering vesicles having a nucleating agent and a therapeutic drug to a vascular system of a patient, and providing an active interval of ultrasonic exposure substantially throughout a targeted treatment zone. The ultrasonic exposure is produced by a source transducer at a specified fundamental frequency, amplitude, duty cycle, and duration. The methods also include detecting a scattered ultrasonic wave, where the scattered ultrasonic wave is received by a detection transducer. Detection of the scattered ultrasonic wave is indicative of stable and/or inertial cavitation. The ultrasonic exposure is provided intermittently in the active intervals separated by rest periods, and substantially less ultrasonic exposure is provided during the rest period than during the active interval.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passively detecting stable cavitation and enhancing stable cavitation during sonothrombolysis are provided. The method of passively detecting stable cavitation includes providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy. The system for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation includes a dual-element annular transducer array configured to provide a fundamental ultrasonic frequency and to detect an ultrasonic frequency that is a derivative of the fundamental frequency. The method of enhancing stable cavitation includes administering a nucleating agent and a thrombolytic agent to a treatment zone, providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy, and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: We disclose a composition comprising an echogenic liposome (ELIP) having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one bilayer comprising at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of saturated phospholipids, unsaturated phospholipids, mixed phospholipids, and cholesterol, and a thrombolytic compound trapped by the ELIP. We also disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient characterized by a thrombus in the patient's vasculature, comprising administering to the patient the composition in an amount effective to reduce the size of the thrombus.

Abstract: A method of transcranial ultrasound thrombolysis comprises the steps of providing a predetermined level of ultrasonic energy substantially throughout a primary treatment zone encompassing the M1 branch and M2 branches of the middle cerebral artery of an individual. A thrombolytic agent is also administered to the individual. A transcranial ultrasound thrombolysis system (10) is also provided that includes a transducer (20). The transducer is adapted to provide a predetermined level of ultrasonic energy substantially throughout a primary treatment zone encompassing at least a substantial portion of the M1 branch and the M2 branches of the middle cerebral artery in one hemisphere of a brain.