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: 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 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 pulmonary delivery medicament comprises a plurality of particulates, each particulate having a perforated microstructure comprising a phospholipid structural matrix and active agent, the phospholipid structural matrix comprising greater than about 50% w/w phospholipid, and the particulates having a geometric diameter of from 0.5 to 50 ?m. The medicament can be made from a liquid feedstock having greater than about 20% w/w phospholipid with an added active agent, which is spray dried to produce the particulates.

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: An ultrasound contrast agent precursor composition comprising: a plurality of void containing polymeric structures; a fluorocarbon gas osmotic agent having a water solubility of not more than about 0.5 mM at 25° C. and one atmosphere; and a phospholipid associated with said structures, wherein said structures, said gas and said phospholipid are together adapted to form microbubbles upon addition of said microbubble precursor composition to an aqueous medium. An ultrasound contrast agent precursor composition comprising: lyophilized void containing structures; a perfluorocarbon gas osmotic agent, said gas osmotic agent dispersed in said voids; and a phospholipid associated with said structures, wherein said structures, said gas and said phospholipid are together adapted to form an ultrasound contrast agent upon addition of an aqueous liquid.

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: 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.