The present invention relates to silica hollow nanoparticles having inside their cavity a metal core consisting of inorganic nanostructures coated by a protective agent and agglomerated with a polymeric aggregating agent, useful in particular in medicine in the bio-imaging techniques and/or in the radio-therapeutic or chemo-therapeutic techniques; the invention moreover refers to a process for the preparation of such nanoparticles.

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

An apparatus for mass producing monodisperse microbubbles contains a microfluidic flow focusing device. The microfluidic flow focusing device includes a dispersed phase fluid supply channel having an outlet that discharges into a flow focusing junction, a continuous phase fluid supply channel having an outlet that discharges into the flow focusing junction, and a bubble formation channel having an inlet disposed at the flow focusing junction. The configuration of the flow focusing junction is such that, in operation, a flow of dispersed phase fluid discharging from the outlet of the dispersed phase fluid supply channel is engageable in co-flow by a focusing flow of continuous phase fluid discharging from the outlet of the at least one continuous phase fluid supply channel under formation of a gradually thinning jet of dispersed phase fluid that extends into the inlet of the bubble formation channel.

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 %.

An implantable tissue marker incorporates a contrast agent sealed within a chamber in a container formed from a solid material. The contrast agent is selected to produce a change, such as an increase, in signal intensity under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional contrast agent may also be sealed within the chamber to provide visibility under another imaging modality, such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging or ultrasound imaging.

The present disclosure provides an isolated, engineered or non-naturally occurring protein comprising an antibody light chain variable domain (V.sub.L) which may comprise at least one negatively charged amino acid positioned between residues 49 to 56 according to the numbering system of Kabat, the protein capable of binding specifically to an antigen.

The present disclosure provides an isolated, engineered or non-naturally occurring protein comprising an antibody light chain variable domain (V.sub.L) which may comprise at least one negatively charged amino acid positioned between residues 49 to 56 according to the numbering system of Kabat, the protein capable of binding specifically to an antigen.

The invention provides nanodroplets labeled with targeting ligands that are useful in the detection and treatment of vascular thromboses (e.g., fibrin clots) and vascular plaques, or related diseases and conditions, as well as methods of preparation and use thereof.

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.

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.