The present disclosure provides imaging agents that are useful for the detection and evaluation of heart conditions, such as myocardial infarction. Upon activation, the imaging agents of the present disclosure may be detected using an ultrasound imaging device.

Disclosed herein is a method of enhancing the accuracy and/or sensitivity of ultrasound imaging in detecting a tumor in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a nanoparticle prior to the application of ultrasound to the subject. According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the nanoparticle is a magnetic nanoparticle, for example, a gold, silver, or iron oxide nanoparticle. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating a tumor in a subject by detecting the tumor via ultrasound with the aid of a nanoparticle, and then administering to the subject an anti-cancer treatment based on the location of the tumor revealed by the ultrasound image.

The present invention relates to calibrated (per)fluorocarbon nanodroplets comprising an outer layer and an inner core, said outer layer comprising a biocompatible fluorinated surfactant and said inner core comprising a (per)fluorocarbon. The invention further relates to a method of preparation of said calibrated (per)fluorocarbon nanodroplets through microfluidic technique, and to their use for in vivo or in vitro diagnostic and/or for therapy.

An acoustic coupling layer (20) is disclosed for acoustically coupling an ultrasound transducer (30, 60) to a body region (1), the acoustic coupling layer comprising a polar liquid absorbent polymer (24) embedded in an elastomer (22). Also disclosed are an ultrasound transducer, wearable patch and interface patch including such an acoustic coupling layer.

A method for conducting an ultrasound session using an ultrasound probe system includes the steps of providing an ultrasound gel for use in combination with the ultrasound probe system, the ultrasound gel defining a composition including 1-10% by weight of Carbopol; 0.001-0.02% by weight of fungistat; 0.001-0.02% by weight of NaOH; 0.001-0.02% by weight of chlorhexidine; 1-5% by weight of glycerin up; 90-95% by weight of purified water; 0.001-0.02% by weight of curacao; 0.1-0.8% by weight of aloe vera leaf juice; 0.01-0.03% by weight of citric acid; 0.001-0.02% by weight of EDTA disodium; 0.001-0.02% by weight of phenoxyethanol; 0.001-0.02% by weight of ethylhexylglycerin; and 0.001-0.02% by weight of methylisothiazolinone; and selectively applying the ultrasound gel on an ultrasound site and operating the ultrasound probe system thereon.

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

To provide an acoustic coupler capable of achieving both acoustic characteristics and mechanical characteristics required for ultrasonic imaging. The invention provides a hydrogel preparation method in which a plurality of kinds of polymerizations are performed under reduced pressure, and a gel for an acoustic coupler obtained by the preparation method. For example, a gel for an acoustic coupler includes polyacrylamide having a matrix structure and alginic acid, and the alginic acid is retained in a matrix of the matrix structure of the polyacrylamide.

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising polymeric perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions and methods of their production, as well as methods for their use in imaging, examination, diagnosis and/or treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases, as well as for ultrasound- mediated localized drug release into the brain.

A contrast composition for photoacoustic imaging includes a photoacoustic contrast agent and a gelling agent.

A method of manufacturing a suspension of gas-filled microvesicles by reconstituting a freeze-dried product and a suspension obtained according to said method, where the freeze-dried product has been subjected to a thermal treatment.