Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760-x) mm Hg at 37° C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37° C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37° C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760?x) mm Hg at 37 C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37 C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37 C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: Stabilized dispersions are provided for the delivery of a bioactive agent to the respiratory tract of a patient. The dispersions preferably comprise a stabilized colloidal system which may comprise a fluorochemical component. In particularly preferred embodiments, the stabilized dispersions comprise perforated microstructures dispersed in a fluorochemical suspension medium. 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 nebulizer.

Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ration of from about 1:100 to abut 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760?X) mm Hg at 37° C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37° C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37° C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; methods and kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as contrast agents.

Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760-x) mm Hg at 37° C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37° C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37° C.

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.

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: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760-x) mm Hg at 37° C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37° C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37° C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ration of from about 1:100 to abut 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760-X) mm Hg at 37° C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37° C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37° C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; methods and kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as contrast agents.

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.

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: Compositions and methods are provided for the administration of particulates comprising at least one bioactive agent which, in selected embodiments, may comprise and immunoactive agent. In this respect, the invention provides for both topical and systemic delivery of the bioactive agent using, for example, the respiratory, gastrointestinal or urogenital tracts. The particulates may be in the form of dry powders or combined with a non-aqueous suspension medium to provide stabilized dispersions. In preferred embodiments, the disclosed compositions will be used in conjunction with inhalation devices such as metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, atomizers or nebulizers for targeted delivery of the agent to mucosal surfaces.

Abstract: A gas emulsion for ultrasound contrast enhancement comprising a plurality of gas bubbles in a liquid medium, the gas bubbles comprising at least one fluoroether selected from the group consisting of CF3OCF2OCF3, CF3(OCF2)2OCF3, CF3(OCF2)3OCF3, and CF3(OCF2)4OCF3.

Abstract: Spray drying methods for forming powder compositions for pharmaceutical applications are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the spray drying feed stock comprises a bioactive agent, surfactant, and a blowing agent. Another aspect of the invention is directed to spray drying a feed stock comprising a phospholipid and calcium chloride.

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: 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: 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 gas emulsion for ultrasound contrast enhancement comprising a plurality of gas bubbles in a liquid medium, the gas bubbles comprising at least one fluoroether selected from the group consisting of CF3OCF2OCF3, CF3(OCF2)2OCF3, CF3(OCF2)3OCF3, and CF3(OCF2)4OCF3.

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 microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760−x) mm Hg at 37 C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37 C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37 C.