Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for the oral or parenteral administration of a compound of Formula (I) comprising an oil in water emulsion, wherein the oil phase comprises the free base of or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof of a compound of Formula (I), and one or more surfactants which are soluble in the oil phase and/or the aqueous phase. The emulsion optionally contains one or more excipients that are soluble in the oil phase and/or the aqueous phase, such as pH modifying agents such as buffers, osmolality/tonicity modifying agents, emulsifying agents, water-soluble polymers, and preservatives. The compound of Formula (I) can be formulated as a solid material and stored until needed. Kits for forming the emulsion are provided. Prior to administration, the solid material can be reconstituted in an aqueous medium to form the emulsion.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the incorporation of fluorinated gases, especially a perfluorocarbon such as octafluoropropane, into synthetic polymeric microparticles, significantly enhances echogenicity as compared with microparticles having air incorporated therein. The microencapsulated perfluorocarbon is manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, for intravenous or oral administration. In one embodiment, bioadhesive microparticles are formed for enhanced imaging of mucosal surfaces.

Abstract: It has been discovered microparticles formed from natural or synthetic polymer with thicker walls have significantly enhanced echogenicity as compared with microparticles having thinner walls. The effect of wall thickness has been determined experimentally as well as inserted into a formula for use in predicting the optimum conditions. In the preferred embodiment, the polymers are synthetic biodegradable polymers and the wall thickness is between about 100 and 660 nm, although wall thicknesses from about 20 nm to in excess of 500 nm can be used. The microparticles are manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, with a diameter of between 0.5 and 8 microns for intravascular administration, and a diameter of between 0.5 and 5 mm for oral administration for imaging of the gastrointestinal tract or other lumens.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the incorporation of fluorinated gases, especially a perfluorocarbon such as octafluoropropane, into synthetic polymeric microparticles, significantly enhances echogenicity as compared with microparticles having air incorporated therein. The microencapsulated perfluorocarbon is manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, for intravenous or oral administration. In one embodiment, bioadhesive microparticles are formed for enhanced imaging of mucosal surfaces.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the incorporation of gases, especially fluorinated gases such as perfluorocarbons, into microparticles formed from the combination of a natural or synthetic polymer and lipid have significantly enhanced echogenicity as compared with microparticles not including the lipid. Compounds other than lipids which are hydrophobic and limit the penetration and/or uptake of water into the microparticles can also be incorporated into the microparticles to enhance echogenicity. In the preferred embodiment, the polymers are synthetic biodegradable polymers. The microparticles are manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, with a diameter of between 0.5 and 8 microns for intravascular administration, and a diameter of between 0.5 and 5 mm for oral administration for imaging of the gastrointestinal tract or other lumens.