초록

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A microsphere comprising a lipid, a targeting moiety and at least one of a first gas or a gaseous precursor, wherein said microsphere is a liposome and encapsulates at least a portion of said first gas, said gaseous precursor, or both, to provide at least about 75% volume

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A microsphere comprising a lipid, a targeting moiety and at least one of a first gas or a gaseous precursor, wherein said microsphere is a liposome and encapsulates at least a portion of said first gas, said gaseous precursor, or both, to provide at least about 75% volume of gas in the interior of said microsphere due to the presence of said first gas, or upon activation of said gaseous precursor to form a second gas, or both, and wherein said liposome is prepared by a method which comprises shaking an aqueous solution comprising said lipid in the presence of said first gas or said gaseous precursor at a temperature below the gel state to liquid crystalline state phase transition temperature of said lipid and wherein said targeting moiety is selected from the group consisting of antibodies, peptides, glycopeptides, glycolipids, and combinations thereof.