Abstract: A microparticle for drug delivery comprises an active agent and an excipient, the excipient comprising a metal ion-lipid complex. The metal ion is chosen from the group consisting of lanthanide metals, actinide metals, group IIa and IIIb metals, transition metals or mixtures thereof. The lipid comprises a phospholipid. The complex results in a glass transition temperature increase of the microparticle.

Abstract: Microparticle compositions comprising metal ion-lipid complexes for drug delivery are described including methods of making the microparticle compositions and methods of treating certain conditions and disease states by administering the microparticle compositions. The metal ion-lipid complexes can be combined with various drugs or active agents for therapeutic administration. The microparticle compositions of the present invention have superior stability to other microparticle compositions resulting in a microparticle composition with longer shelf life and improved dispersability. The microparticle compositions of the present invention have a transition temperature (Tg) of at least 20° C. above the recommended storage temperature (Tst) for drug delivery.

Abstract: A respiratory dispersion for pulmonary delivery comprises one or more bioactive agents, a suspension medium, and a plurality of perforated microstructures having a mean aerodynamic diameter of less than 5 ?m. The suspension medium comprises at least one propellant and permeates the perforated microstructures.

Abstract: Engineered particles are provided may be used for the delivery of a bioactive agent to the respiratory tract of a patient. The particles may be used in the form of dry powders or in the form of stabilized dispersions comprising a nonaqueous continuous phase. In particularly preferred embodiments the particles may be used in conjunction with an inhalation device such as a dry powder inhaler, metered dose inhaler or a nebulizer.

Abstract: Stabilized dispersions are provided for the delivery of a bioactive agent. The dispersions preferably comprise a plurality of perforated microstructures dispersed in a suspension medium that typically comprises a liquid fluorochemical. As density variations between the suspended particles and suspension medium are minimized and attractive forces between microstructures are attenuated, the disclosed dispersions are particularly resistant to degradation, such as by settling or flocculation. In particularly preferred embodiments the stabilized dispersions may be directly administered to the lung of a patient using an endotracheal tube or bronchoscope.

Abstract: Microparticle compositions comprising metal ion-lipid complexes for drug delivery are described including methods of making the microparticle compositions and methods of treating certain conditions and disease states by administering the microparticle compositions. The metal ion-lipid complexes can be combined with various drugs or active agents for therapeutic administration. The microparticle compositions of the present invention have superior stability to other microparticle compositions resulting in a microparticle composition with longer shelf life and improved dispersability. The microparticle compositions of the present invention have a transition temperature (Tg) of at least 20° C. above the recommended storage temperature (Tst) for drug delivery.

Abstract: Microparticle compositions comprising metal ion-lipid complexes for drug delivery are described including methods of making the microparticle compositions and methods of treating certain conditions and disease states by administering the microparticle compositions. The metal ion-lipid complexes can be combined with various drugs or active agents for therapeutic administration. The microparticle compositions of the present invention have superior stability to other microparticle compositions resulting in a microparticle composition with longer shelf life and improved dispersability. The microparticle compositions of the present invention have a transition temperature Tm of at least 20° C. above the recommended storage temperature (Tst) for drug delivery.

Abstract: A respiratory dispersion for pulmonary delivery comprises one or more bioactive agents, a suspension medium, and a plurality of perforated microstructures having a mean aerodynamic diameter of less than 5 ?m. The suspension medium comprises at least one propellant and permeates the perforated microstructures.

Abstract: A pulmonary delivery medicament comprises a plurality of particulates, the particulates comprising a structural matrix and a water insoluble and/or crystalline active agent. The particulates have a geometric diameter of 0.5 to 50 ?m. The water insoluble active agent can be a fungicide, antibiotic, budesonide. A method of making the medicament comprises forming a liquid feedstock, and forming a feedstock suspension by suspending in the liquid feedstock, the active agent and an excipient capable of forming a structural matrix, such as a phospholipid. The feedstock suspension is spray dried to produce the particulates.

Abstract: A respiratory dispersion is provided for the pulmonary delivery of at least two bioactive agents. The dispersion comprises a propellant suspension medium having dispersed therein a plurality of perforated microstructures, wherein the two bioactive agents are incorporated into individual perforated microstructures.

Abstract: An implant for use in a human or animal body can include a flexible housing with an outer wall and having a chamber therein. The implant can have at least one high vapor pressure medium within the chamber. The at one high vapor pressure medium can have a combined vapor pressure equal to or greater than about the average value of the hydrostatic pressure of the implantation site plus the skin tension of the housing minus the gas tension of the dissolved gasses present at the implantation site.

Abstract: Stabilized dispersions are provided for the delivery of a bioactive agent to the respiratory tract of a patient. The dispersions preferably comprise a plurality of perforated microstructures dispersed in a suspension medium that typically comprises a hydrofluoroalkane propellant. As density variations between the suspended particles and suspension medium are minimized and attractive forces between microstructures are attenuated, the disclosed dispersions are particularly resistant to degradation, such as, by settling or flocculation. In particularly preferred embodiments, the stabilized dispersions may be administered to the lung of a patient using a metered dose inhaler.

Abstract: Phospholipid based powders for drug delivery applications are disclosed. The powders comprise a polyvalent cation in an amount effective to increase the gel-to-liquid crystal transition temperature of the particle compared to particles without the polyvalent cation. The powders are hollow and porous and are preferably administered via inhalation.

Abstract: Phospholipid based powders for drug delivery applications are disclosed. The powders comprise a polyvalent cation in an amount effective to increase the gel-to-liquid crystal transition temperature of the particle compared to particles without the polyvalent cation. The powders are hollow and porous and are preferably administered via inhalation.

Abstract: Stabilized dispersions are provided for the delivery of a bioactive agent. The dispersions preferably comprise a plurality of perforated microstructures dispersed in a suspension medium that typically comprises a liquid fluorochemical. As density variations between the suspended particles and suspension medium are minimized and attractive forces between microstructures are attenuated, the disclosed dispersions are particularly resistant to degradation, such as by settling or flocculation. In particularly preferred embodiments the stabilized dispersions may be directly administered to the lung of a patient using an endotracheal tube or bronchoscope.

Abstract: A respiratory dispersion is provided for the pulmonary delivery of at least two bioactive agents. The dispersion comprises a propellant suspension medium having dispersed therein a plurality of perforated microstructures, wherein the two bioactive agents are incorporated into individual perforated microstructures.

Abstract: Stabilized dispersions are provided for the delivery of a bioactive agent. The dispersions preferably comprise a plurality of perforated microstructures dispersed in a suspension medium that typically comprises a liquid fluorochemical. As density variations between the suspended particles and suspension medium are minimized and attractive forces between microstructures are attenuated, the disclosed dispersions are particularly resistant to degradation, such as by settling or flocculation. In particularly preferred embodiments the stabilized dispersions may be directly administered to the lung of a patient using an endotracheal tube or bronchoscope.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic harmonic imaging is disclosed, which uses microbubbles particularly selected for their properties of reradiating ultrasound energy at frequencies other than the exciting frequency.

Abstract: Engineered particles are provided may be used for the delivery of a bioactive agent to the respiratory tract of a patient. The particles may be used in the form of dry powders or in the form of stabilized dispersions comprising a nonaqueous continuous phase. In particularly preferred embodiments the particles may be used in conjunction with an inhalation device such as a dry powder inhaler, metered dose inhaler or a nebulizer.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for monitoring and quantifying the movement of fluid in a target region. Generally, an imaging agent is introduced into a target region through fluid flow. The imaging agent in the target region is then disrupted using appropriate methods such as the application of ultrasonic energy. As fluid flow brings undisrupted imaging agent into the target region, the rate of accumulation is monitored and quantified thereby providing the exchange rate and flow rate of the fluid in the target region. The disclosed invention is particularly useful for medical applications such as determining the flow rate of blood in an organ or tissue.