A method for normalizing blood vessels of lesions is disclosed, which includes administering an effective amount of oxygen-loaded microbubbles to a subject in need by intravenous injection, and projecting ultrasound from a ultrasonic emission device into the lesions for rupturing the oxygen-loaded microbubbles and releasing the oxygen to the lesions. Each of the oxygen-loaded microbubbles comprises oxygen and a water insoluble gas, and the particle size of microbubbles is 0.520 m.

Described are methods for reversible occlusion of a body lumen by way of degradation as a result of exposure to one or more stimuli such as light. The methods include administering one or more substance(s) into a body lumen of a subject and forming a stimuli-responsive polymer mass in the body lumen from the one or more substance(s). The mass is sufficient to occlude the body lumen in a manner that prevents transport of at least one material through the body lumen and is susceptible to on-command reversal in the body lumen upon exposure to one or more stimuli. The methods include administering one or more stimuli to a polymer mass in a body lumen for a time and intensity to cause the reverse the polymer mass. The methods are particular useful for applications in which it is desirable to temporarily occlude a body lumen, such as male and female contraception.

A layered body comprising: a core region; at least one intermediate layer disposed around the core region; and an outer layer disposed around the at least one intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the at least one intermediate layers comprises a gas, the layered body having at least one dimension, measured across the body and through the core region, of 100 m or less.

Disclosed are articles, devices and systems providing a semi-rigid acoustic coupling medium for ultrasound diagnostic and treatment techniques. In some aspects, an acoustic coupling article includes a semi-rigid acoustic coupling medium (SACM) able to conform to a receiving body through deformation of the SACM body in order to propagate an acoustic signal within the SACM to and from the receiving body. In some embodiments, the SACM is configured in a shape having one or more attachment portions located at one end of an acoustic interface portion, such that the acoustic interface portion is operable to contact the receiving body to propagate the acoustic signal and the attachment portions are configured to be secured by an acoustic probe device to transmit and receive the propagated acoustic signal.

The present invention relates to a nanogel comprising a polyamine-based polymer cross-linked by oxamide bonds, a preparation method of the nanogel, a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging comprising the nanogel, a composition for ultrasound diagnosis of inflammatory diseases comprising the contrast agent, a preparation method of the contrast agent, and a method for providing information for diagnosis of inflammatory diseases using the composition for ultrasound diagnosis.

A nanodroplet particle useful as an imaging contrast agent comprises a saline solution that upon irradiation with a radiofrequency energy generate a detectable acoustic signal. The saline solution nanodroplets can be encapsulated by a fluorinated shell that maintains the integrity of the nanodroplets. The saline solution and the fluorinated shell form the nanoparticles when sonicated, for example, in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant to form double-emulsion compositions. The nanoparticles of the disclosure may be advantageously useful as imaging contrast agents suitable for providing a detectable signal when administered to an animal or human subject. The nanoparticles can be conjugated to targeting agents such as biomarker or cell-specific ligands so that the nanoparticles may be concentrated to a desired target such as, but not limited to, a suspected tumor.

A coupling agent composition is provided and includes a plurality of non-toxic components, a neutralizing agent, and a chelating agent. The plurality of non-toxic components is derived from one or more natural resource materials and is an amount equal to or greater than 97 weight percent (wt %) of the composition. The plurality of non-toxic components includes a carrier, at least one water soluble polyol selected from the group consisting of propanediol, pentylene glycol, and butylene glycol in an amount of from 9.00 to 11.00 wt %, and a thickening agent of 0.10 to 3.00 wt % having a naturally derived soluble polymer additive selected from a group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan, guar, locust bean, sodium hyaluronate, sodium alginate, acacia, tara gum, tamarind seed, succinoglycan, scleroglucan, and mannan in an amount of 0.50-3.00 wt %.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

A layered body comprising: a core region; at least one intermediate layer disposed around the core region; and an outer layer disposed around the at least one intermediate layer, wherein at least one of the at least one intermediate layers comprises a gas, the layered body having at least one dimension, measured across the body and through the core region, of 100 m or less.

Described are methods for reversible occlusion of a body lumen by way of degradation as a result of exposure to one or more stimuli such as light. The methods include administering one or more substance(s) into a body lumen of a subject and forming a stimuli-responsive polymer mass in the body lumen from the one or more substance(s). The mass is sufficient to occlude the body lumen in a manner that prevents transport of at least one material through the body lumen and is susceptible to on-command reversal in the body lumen upon exposure to one or more stimuli. The methods include administering one or more stimuli to a polymer mass in a body lumen for a time and intensity to cause the reverse the polymer mass. The methods are particular useful for applications in which it is desirable to temporarily occlude a body lumen, such as male and female contraception.