Patents by Inventor Evan C. Unger

Evan C. Unger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080194954
    Abstract: An ultrasound energy emitting apparatus is disclosed. The ultrasound energy emitting apparatus comprises a hand-held enclosure and a plurality of ultrasound transducers disposed on that enclosure, or disposed within and extending outwardly from the enclosure. The plurality of ultrasound transducers can be operated simultaneously, or in a programmed fashion whereunder one or more of, but fewer than all, of the transducers emit ultrasound energy at one time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Terry O. Matsunaga, Reena Zutshi
  • Patent number: 7344705
    Abstract: Low density microspheres, methods for preparing same, and use of same as contrast agents are described. The microspheres have a void which contains a gas or the vapor of a volatile liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, tetraalkyl silanes and perfluorocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 7329402
    Abstract: Novel ultrasound methods comprising administering to a patient a targeted vesicle composition which comprises vesicles comprising a lipid, protein or polymer, encapsulating a gas, in combination with a targeting ligand, and scanning the patient using ultrasound. The scanning may comprise exposing the patient to a first type of ultrasound energy and then interrogating the patient using a second type of ultrasound energy. The targeting ligand preferably targets tissues, cells or receptors, including myocardial cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, tumor cells and the glycoprotein GPIIbIIIa receptor. The methods may be used to detect a thrombus, enhancement of an old or echogenic thrombus, low concentrations of vesicles and vesicles targeted to tissues, cells or receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Imarx Pharmaceutical Corp.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Yunqiu Wu
  • Patent number: 7105151
    Abstract: The present invention describes, inter alia, oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes comprising a fluorinated gas and a stabilizing material, uses for the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes, and apparatus for making and delivering the oxygen delivery agents or blood substitutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Thomas McCreery, Yunqiu Wu
  • Patent number: 7083572
    Abstract: Targeted therapeutic delivery systems comprising gas- or gaseous precursor-filled lipid microspheres comprising a therapeutic are described. Methods for employing such microspheres in therapeutic delivery applications are also provided. Targeted therapeutic delivery systems comprising gas- or gaseous precursor-filled liposomes having a drug encapsulated therein are preferred. Methods of and apparatus for preparing such liposomes and methods for employing such liposomes in therapeutic delivery applications are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Thomas A. Fritz, Terry Matsunaga, VaradaRajan Ramaswami, David Yellowhair, Guanli Wu
  • Patent number: 7078015
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing temperature activated gaseous precursor-filled liposomes are described. Gaseous precursor-filled liposomes prepared by these methods are particularly usefull for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems. Gas, gaseous precursors and perfluorocarbons are presented as novel potentiators for ultrasonic hyper-thermia. The gas, gaseous precursors and perfluorocarbons which may be administered into the vasculature, interstitially or into any body cavity are designed to accumulate in cancerous and diseased tissues. When therapeutic ultrasonic energy is applied to the diseased region heating is increased because of the greater effectiveness of sound energy absorption caused by these agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 6998107
    Abstract: Low density microspheres, methods for preparing same, and use of same as contrast agents are described. The microspheres have a void having a volume that comprises at least about 75% of the total volume of the microspheres, and which contains a gas or the vapor of a volatile liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, tetraalkyl silanes and perfluorocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Comapany
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 6884407
    Abstract: Improved methods for providing an image of an internal region of a patient, especially the cardiovascular region. Embodiments of the invention involve the administration to the patient of a contrast agent which comprises a vesicle composition comprising lipid or polymer vesicles and a gas or gaseous precursor, in combination with a coronary vasodilator. The patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, to obtain a visible image of the region. The methods are particularly useful for diagnosing the presence of diseased tissue in the cardiovascular region of a patient, as well as for measuring blood flow in the cardiovascular region of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Publication number: 20040265393
    Abstract: A non-invasive method for disrupting a blood clot within the vasculature of a patient using new ultrasound techniques is provided. Lipid vesicles containing a gas or gaseous precursor are administered intravascularly to the patient and ultrasound having a power greater than about 0.5 Watts/cm2 to about 20 Watts/cm2 for about 10% to about 80% of the duty cycle is applied to the patient for a period of time sufficient to induce rupture of the vesicles adjacent to the site of the blood clot, thereby disrupting the blood clot. Administration of thrombolytic biological agents is not required. Optionally, progress of clot disruption can be monitored using magnetic resonance imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Reena Zutshi, Terry O. Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20040223914
    Abstract: Low density microspheres, methods for preparing same, and use of same as contrast agents are described. The microspheres have a void having a volume that comprises at least about 75% of the total volume of the microspheres, and which contains a gas or the vapor of a volatile liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, tetraalkyl silanes and perfluorocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 6808720
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to charged lipids, compositions comprising charged lipids, and the use of these compositions in drug delivery, targeted drug delivery, therapeutic imaging and diagnostic imaging, as well as their use as contrast agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Publication number: 20040176473
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to a method for delivering a compound into a cell comprising administering to the cell the compound to be delivered, an organic halide, and/or a carrier. Ultrasound may also be applied, if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: ImaRx Pharmaceutical Corp.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Thomas McCreery
  • Patent number: 6773696
    Abstract: Low density microspheres, methods for preparing same, and use of same as contrast agents are described. The microspheres have a void having a volume that comprises at least about 75% of the total volume of the microspheres, and which contains a gas or the vapor of a volatile liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, tetraalkyl silanes and perfluorocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 6743779
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to a method for delivering a compound into a cell comprising administering to the cell the compound to be delivered, an organic halide, and/or a carrier. Ultrasound may also be applied, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: ImaRx Pharmaceutical Corp.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Thomas McCreery
  • Publication number: 20040091541
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid porous matrix comprising a surfactant in combination with a bioactive agent. The solid porous matrix may be prepared by combining a surfactant and a therapeutic, together with a solvent, to form an emulsion containing random aggregates of the surfactant and the therapeutic, and processing the emulsion by controlled drying, or controlled agitation and controlled drying to form the solid porous matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 6716412
    Abstract: The present invention describes, among other things, the surprising discovery that gaseous precursor filled compositions are profoundly more effective as acoustically active contrast agents when they are thermally preactivated to temperatures at or above the boiling point of the instilled gaseous precursor prior to their in vivo administration to a patient. Further optimization of contrast enhancement is achieved by administering the gaseous precursor filled compositions to a patient as an infusion. Enhanced effectiveness is also achieved for ultrasound mediated targeting and drug delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Imarx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Publication number: 20030211975
    Abstract: Method and apparatus of vascular neuromuscular blockade including percutaneous delivery of a quantity of neurotransmitter inhibiting agent to an affected region of a vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: IMARX THERAPEUTICS INC
    Inventor: Evan C. Unger
  • Patent number: 6638767
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, inter alia, to a method for delivering a compound into a cell comprising administering to the cell the compound to be delivered, an organic halide, and/or a carrier. Ultrasound may also be applied, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: ImaRx Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Thomas McCreery
  • Patent number: 6627421
    Abstract: A system for applying energy to cells so as to elicit the formation of pores, to enhance transfection, and/or cell transformation, includes a computer, a plurality of acoustic probes for controllably applying acoustic energy to batches of cells, and a robot operatively for effecting relative movement between the probes and the batches of cells. Preferably, the acoustic energy comprises ultrasonic energy, which is applied in combination with optical or electrical energy to enhance the formation of pores in surface membranes of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Yunqiu Wu, Thomas McCreery
  • Publication number: 20030157025
    Abstract: Novel ultrasound methods comprising administering to a patient a targeted vesicle composition which comprises vesicles comprising a lipid, protein or polymer, encapsulating a gas, in combination with a targeting ligand, and scanning the patient using ultrasound. The scanning may comprise exposing the patient to a first type of ultrasound energy and then interrogating the patient using a second type of ultrasound energy. The targeting ligand preferably targets tissues, cells or receptors, including myocardial cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, tumor cells and the glycoprotein GPIIbIIIa receptor. The methods may be used to detect a thrombus, enhancement of an old or echogenic thrombus, low concentrations of vesicles and vesicles targeted to tissues, cells or receptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Evan C. Unger, Yunqiu Wu