The invention concerns a loaded extracellular vesicle (EV) such as an exosome, wherein the EV has been loaded with a cargo molecule covalently or non-covalently coupled to a cell penetrating polypeptide (resulting in a “binding complex”), and the cargo molecule or binding complex has been internalized by, or is associated with, the EV. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for loading an EV with a cargo molecule, comprising contacting the EV with the binding complex, wherein the binding complex becomes internalized by, or associated with, the EV. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for delivering a cargo molecule into a cell in vitro or in vivo, comprising administering a loaded EV to the cell in vitro or in vivo, wherein the loaded EV is internalized into the cell, and wherein the loaded EV comprises the cargo molecule covalently or non-covalently bound to a cell penetrating polypeptide.

A method of imaging cancer stem cells comprises disposing a population of first ultrasound-switchable fluorophorms having a first switching threshold in the biological environment, the first ultrasound-switchable fluorophores being functionalized for attachment to a first biomarker expressed by the CSCs; disposing a population of second ultrasound-switchable fluorophorms having a second switching threshold in the biological environment, the second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores being functionalized for attachment to a second biomarker expressed by the CSCs; exposing the biological environment to an ultrasound beam to form an activation region; disposing one or more of the first and/or second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the activation region to switch the first and/or second fluorophores from an off state to an on state; exciting the first and second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the activation region with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detecting light emitted by the first and second ultrasound-switchable fluorophores.

Multiphase microspheres for radioembolization include two-phase microspheres and three-phase microspheres prepared by a microfluidic process. The multiphase microspheres include a primary phase and a first secondary phase surrounded by the primary phase. The primary phase includes a first resin. The first secondary phase includes a second resin and at least one of a radioactive isotope or a compound including at least one radioactive element. Three-phase microspheres additionally include a second secondary phase discrete from the first secondary phase and also surrounded by the primary phase. The second secondary phase may be a gas such as air. The microspheres may be formed by a microfluidic process.

Acoustically responsive stabilized microbubbles formulated with a phospholipid monolayer shell, an encapsulated bioactive gas, and an encapsulated perfluorocarbon gas of the formula C.sub.xF.sub.y in a volume ratio of from about 10:1 to about 1:10, wherein X is greater than or equal to 3, are disclosed. Also provided are methods for promoting localized vasodilation in a patient in need thereof by delivering a microbubble comprising a phospholipid monolayer shell and an encapsulated bioactive gas locally to a target diseased section of the patient's vasculature; and releasing the bioactive gas at the target diseased section, wherein the microbubble comprises the bioactive gas in a ratio of from about 10:1 to about 1:10 by volume with a perfluorocarbon gas.

Apparatus and methods for imaging and tracking of nano- and micro-scale objects with acceptable latency for relevant medical procedures, such as delivery of therapeutic payload or minimally invasive surgery are disclosed, including the capability to superimpose accurate anatomical data over a tracking image. Software applications are provided for data logging via a remote-control station; and software interface with remote motion control mechanism, controlling the motion of internal device.

Polymeric particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene and/or a derivative thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles may also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Particles of the present invention may further be provided as color-coded microspheres or nanospheres to allow ready identification of the sized particles in use. Such color-coded microspheres or nanospheres may further be provided in like color-coded delivery or containment devices to enhance user identification and provide visual confirmation of the use of a specifically desired size of microspheres or nanospheres.

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The present invention relates to an optical imaging agent of formula (SIGNAL).sub.n-SUPPORT-(L-BIOVECTOR).sub.m, wherein: SUPPORT represents a physiologically acceptable chemical or biological substrate, with a particle size of between 1 and 100 nm, SIGNAL is a fluorophore, L is a linker of formula C(X)R.sup.1Y, with X being O, NH or S R.sup.1 being a (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl group, optionally R.sup.1 being a (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl group, optionally interrupted by 1 to 3 groups selected from O, NH, C(O), NHC(O), (O)CNH, C(O)NHNC, NC, and (I), Y being NH or a (O)CNH group, and BIOVECTOR is a carbohydrate targeting markers of inflammation, advantageously selected from the group consisting of mannose, sialyl Lewis.sup.X and derivatives thereof, n is greater than or equal to 0.5 and is less than 2, m is between 0 and 30, preferably between 1 and 30, more preferably between 5 and 20, diagnostic compositions comprising same and use thereof as a diagnostic agent (in vivo or ex vivo), or as contrast agent for image-guided surgery.

A microbubble used as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging burst due to high intensity of ultrasound, and the burst microbubble effectively acts as a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging. Based on this point, a new apparatus and method for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound diagnosis are provided.

Polymer microspheres for embolizing blood vessels and optionally delivering therapeutic agents are provided.

Described herein are self-assembling protein molecules for delivering a payload, for example, a toxic anti-cancer agent, a cancer immunotherapy, a toxic anti-cancer agent and a cancer immunotherapy, or an imaging agent, to specific tissues. Examples of self-assembled proteins include clathrin and derivatives of clathrin.