Imarx Pharmaceutical Corporation

Bristol-myers Squibb Medical Imaging, Inc.

Imar.sub.x Pharmaceutical Corp.

David W Yellowhair

Evan C Unger

Terry Onichi Matsunaga

Guanli Wu

Thomas A Fritz

VaradaRajan Ramaswami

Thomas McCreery

Terrence R Barrette

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.

Therapeutic delivery systems

A container comprising an aqueous lipid suspension and a gaseous phase substantially separate from the aqueous stabilizing phase, useful in diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging and in therapeutic applications, is disclosed.

Container with multi-phase composition for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications

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.

Method of preparing gas and gaseous precursor-filled microspheres

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.

Gas-filled lipid spheres for use in diagnostic and therapeutic

Targeted gas and gaseous precursor-filled liposomes

A method and apparatus for making vesicles suitable for use as contrast agents in which a container containing an aqueous suspension phase and a separate gas phase is shaken using reciprocating motion. The reciprocating motion is produced by a shaker arm that moves the container in two, substantially perpendicular directions, with the motion in the first direction being along an arcuate path. The overall path of the motion occurs in a figure-8 eight pattern. The frequency of shaking is at least approximately 2800 RPM, the length of the shaker arm is at least approximately 6 cm, and the angle through which the shaker arm rotates in the first direction is at least approximately 3.degree.. The total length of travel around the figure-8 pattern is at least 0.7 cm.

Apparatus for making gas-filled vesicles of optimal size

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.

Method of preparing fluorinated gas microspheres

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.

Methods of preparing gas-filled liposomes

Methods of preparing gas and gaseous precursor-filled microspheres

Method of preparing gas-filled microspheres using a lyophilized lipids

Container with multi-phase composition for use in diagnostic and

Therapeutic drug delivery systems comprising gas-filled microspheres comprising a therapeutic are described. Methods for employing such microspheres in therapeutic drug delivery applications are also provided. Drug delivery systems comprising gas-filled liposomes having encapsulated therein a drug are preferred. Methods of and apparatus for preparing such liposomes and methods for employing such liposomes in drug delivery applications are also disclosed.

Therapeutic drug delivery systems

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

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

David W Yellowhair