Abstract: The invention provides novel apparatus and methods for efficiently and accurately filling vials with gaseous materials such as a fluorinated gas, with or without concomitantly filling the vials with another liquid or solid material.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring the presence of an analyte in a closed vial wherein a sample contained within the closed vial is conveyed to an analyzer. The analyzer determines a value of an ultrasound velocity dependent on analyte concentration at a position within a headspace formed above the sample within the vial. An indicator is used to compare the measured value of the ultrasound velocity with a predetermined limit criteria to determine the presence or absence of the analyte. Vials wherein the presence of the analyte is denominated are indicated as product vials whereas vials wherein the absence of the analyte is denominated are indicated as rejected vials. The rejected vials are conveyed by a transferrer to a rejected vial station. A first portion of the product vials are conveyed by a sampler to a sample collection station. A second portion of the product vials are conveyed to a labeler.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to prepare a microsphere-forming composition. The method provides a carbon-containing first solvent, where that first solvent is water soluble but does not comprise water The method further provides a second solvent comprising water, and (N) phosphorus-containing compounds, where (N) is greater or equal to than 1. The method forms a first mixture by mixing each of the (N) phosphorus-containing compound with the first solvent, and forms a second mixture comprising the second solvent and sodium chloride. The method then combines the first mixture and the second mixture to form the microsphere-forming composition.

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.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing gas-filled microspheres are described. Gas-filled microspheres prepared by these methods are particularly useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Methods are provided that for producing aqueous formulations of pharmaceutical agents having low aqueous solubility. The methods also provide a simple means of producing the formulation as a sterile product. The drug is physically entrapped by a spatially stabilized matrix comprising a hydrophilic or hydrophilic-hydrophobic block polymer, without being covalently bound to the polymer. The drug formulation is a nanoparticle or sub-nanoparticle in size. In a preferred embodiment the nanoparticles are anisotropic, being much longer than they are wide.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations are provided that increase the systemic bioavailability of camptotheca derivatives; preferably, the camptothecin derivative is 7-ethyl-10-hydroxyl camptothecin, SN-38. The drug is complexed with a stabilizing agent, but is not covalently bound thereto. Anionic or neutral lipids and/or polymers are used as the stabilizing agent, and secondary stabilizing agents and/or other excipients may be incorporated into the formulation as well. Therapeutic methods are also provided, wherein a formulation of the invention is administered to a patient to treat a condition, disorder, or disease that is responsive to camptothecin derivatives. Generally, administration is oral or parenteral.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations are provided that increase the systemic bioavailability of camptotheca derivatives; preferably, the camptothecin derivative is 7-ethyl-10-hydroxyl camptothecin, SN-38. The drug is complexed with a stabilizing agent, but is not covalently bound thereto. Anionic or neutral lipids and/or polymers are used as the stabilizing agent, and secondary stabilizing agents and/or other excipients may be incorporated into the formulation as well. Therapeutic methods are also provided, wherein a formulation of the invention is administered to a patient to treat a condition, disorder, or disease that is responsive to camptothecin derivatives. Generally, administration is oral or parenteral.

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.

Abstract: Methods for providing an image of an internal region of a patient. Embodiments of the methods involve administering to the patient a contrast agent which comprises a vesicle composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers. The patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, to obtain a visible image of the region. The contrast agent is administered to the patient at a rate to substantially eliminate diagnostic artifacts in the image. The methods are particularly useful for diagnosing the presence of any diseased tissue in the patient.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing gas-filled microspheres are described. Gas-filled microspheres prepared by these methods are particularly useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

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 useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Therapeutic delivery systems comprising gaseous precursor-filled microspheres comprising a therapeutic are described. Methods for employing such microspheres in therapeutic delivery applications are also provided. Therapeutic delivery systems comprising gaseous precursor-filled liposomes having encapsulated therein a contrast agent or drug are preferred. Methods of and apparatus for preparing such liposomes and methods for employing such liposomes in therapeutic delivery applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel targeted delivery systems for bioactive agents. In preferred form, the delivery systems comprise, in combination with an effective amount of a bioactive agent, a targeted matrix comprising a polymer and a targeting ligand. Preferably, the targeting ligand is covalently associated with the polymer and the bioactive agent is associated non-covalently with the polymer. Also in preferred embodiments, the bioactive agent is substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the matrix. The compositions are particularly suitable as delivery vehicles with bioactive agents that have limited water solubility.

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 useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Lyophilized lipid compositions, as well as methods for their preparation, are embodied by the present invention. Gas-filled microspheres prepared using the lyophilized lipid composition are particularly useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Methods for providing an image of an internal region of a patient. Embodiments of the methods involve administering to the patient a contrast agent which comprises a vesicle composition comprising, in an aqueous carrier, a gas or gaseous precursor and vesicles comprising lipids, proteins or polymers. The patient is scanned using diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound, to obtain a visible image of the region. The contrast agent is administered to the patient at a rate to substantially eliminate diagnostic artifacts in the image. The methods are particularly useful for diagnosing the presence of any diseased tissue in the patient.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing gas-filled liposomes are described. Gas-filled liposomes prepared by these methods are particularly useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.

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 useful, for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems.