A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

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.

Provided herein are improved methods for preparing phospholipid formulations including phospholipid UCA formulations.

Affibody polypeptides that specifically bind to B7-H3 are provided. Exemplary anti-B7-H3 affibodies are provided. The affibody polypeptides specifically recognize and bind to B7-H3 with high affinity. The affibodies can be conjugated to contrast agents, including without limitation microbubbles for contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging

A bubble manufacturing container of the present invention includes: a container body having an opening portion; and a rubber stopper provided on the opening portion of the container body. The rubber stopper is constituted so that the bubbles 1 of an inside of the container body are able to be taken by piercing an injection needle. It is preferred that the bubble manufacturing container has a fastening portion provided on the rubber stopper, having an opening and sealing the container body with the rubber stopper. Furthermore, it is preferred that the container body mounts a weight portion.

A composition, and method thereof, for stabilizing a fluorocarbon emulsion includes phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine-PEG, and a cone-shaped lipid.

Provided herein are improved methods for preparing phospholipid formulations including phospholipid UCA formulations.

Provided herein are improved methods for preparing phospholipid formulations including phospholipid UCA formulations.

Gas vesicles, protein variants and related compositions methods and systems for singleplexed and/or multiplexed ultrasound imaging of a target site in which a gas vesicle provides contrast for the imaging which is modifiable by application of a selectable acoustic collapse pressure value of the gas vesicle.

A method for preparing a suspension of “size-controlled” gas-filled microvesicles by microfluidic manufacturing techniques, which comprises using a gaseous flow comprising a first gas having high solubility in water and a second gas having low 5 solubility in water.