Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel modified nanodroplets with a layerby-layer (LBL) assembly formulation (“LBLnNDs”). The LBLnNDs of the present disclosure comprise gaseous perfluorocarbon core, polymer shell, and multiple alternating positively and negatively charged biopolymer layers dispersed layerby-layer onto the shell of the LBLnNDs. Methods of making and use of the LBLnNDs are also provided.

Abstract: Acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy and methods for making and using same are disclosed. A particle of material includes a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create a droplet or emulsion that is stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. At least some of the first substance exists in a gaseous phase at the time of encapsulation of the first substance within the second substance to form a bubble. After formation of the bubble, the bubble is condensed into a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into the droplet or emulsion having a core consisting of a liquid. The droplet or emulsion is an activatable phase change agent that remains a droplet having a core consisting of a liquid at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. The first substance has a boiling point below 25° C. at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy are disclosed. A particle of material includes a first substance that includes at least one component that has a boiling point below 25° C. at atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create the particle. The particle has a core consisting of a liquid and is an activatable phase change agent. The second substance includes a polymeric brush layer to prevent aggregation and coalescence.

Abstract: A system and method that uses receptor-targeted microbubbles to locate abnormal cell tissue for therapy is disclosed. The method includes applying receptor-targeted microbubbles to abnormal cell tissue; imaging the applied microbubbles using an imaging system; and locating the abnormal cell tissue using the imaged, applied microbubbles, wherein the imaging system detects and 5 transmits imaging information of the applied microbubbles through a gaseous environment, i.e., a non-contact procedure. Embodiments of the system and method combine the targeting of microbubbles to abnormal cell tissue and an imaging system, the combination of which is capable of accurately and rapidly assessing the surgical margin for presence of unseen cancer in, for example, the operating room, at bedside, or in an 10 office, within or outside the body.

Abstract: Acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy and methods for making and using same are disclosed. A particle of material includes a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create a droplet or emulsion that is stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. At least some of the first substance exists in a gaseous phase at the time of encapsulation of the first substance within the second substance to form a bubble. After formation of the bubble, the bubble is condensed into a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into the droplet or emulsion having a core consisting of a liquid. The droplet or emulsion is an activatable phase change agent that remains a droplet having a core consisting of a liquid at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure. The first substance has a boiling point below 25° C. at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of producing particles of materials includes, with a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, extruding or emulsifying the first substance into or in the presence of a second substance to create a bubble in which the first substance is encapsulated by the second substance and wherein at least some of the first substance is in a gaseous phase, and causing the first substance to condense to a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into a droplet or emulsion. The droplet or emulsion so created is an activatable phase change agent that is stable at room temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Formulation of acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy and methods for using same are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method of producing particles of materials includes, with a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, performing one of: causing the first substance to condense to a liquid phase, and extruding or emulsifying the first substance into or in the presence of a second substance to create a droplet or emulsion in which the first substance is encapsulated by the second substance; or extruding or emulsifying the first substance into or in the presence of a second substance to create a bubble in which the first substance is encapsulated by the second substance and wherein at least some of the first substance is in a gaseous phase, and causing the first substance to condense to a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into a droplet or emulsion.

Abstract: Novel targeted compositions which may be used for diagnostic and therapeutic use. The compositions may comprise lipid, protein or polymer gas-filled vesicles which further comprise novel compounds of the general formula L-P-T, wherein L comprises a hydrophobic compound, P comprises a hydrophilic polymer, and T comprises a targeting ligand which targets tissues, cells or receptors, including myocardial cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, tumor cells and the glycoprotein GPIIbIIIa receptor. The compositions can be used in conjunction with diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, as well as therapeutic applications, such as therapeutic ultrasound.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method to administer stem cells to a patient in need thereof. The method provides acoustically active material, stem cells, and an ultrasound energy emitting device. The method administers the acoustically active material to the patient, administers the stem cells to the patient, and administers ultrasound energy to the patient using the ultrasound emitting device.

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.

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.

Abstract: Gas and gaseous precursor filled microspheres, and foams thereof, provide novel topical and subcutaneous delivery vehicles for various active ingredients, including drugs and cosmetics.