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

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.

Cancer treatment methods using thermotherapy and/or enhanced immunotherapy are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method comprising the steps of: (i) applying controlled thermal energy at 40-43° C. for a first predetermined time period to damage and weaken tumor cells of a tumor in a patient; (ii) administering pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) in a first ultrasound mode to the tumor cells in the patient so as to damage the tumor cells without increasing the thermal energy; and (iii) administering low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) in a second ultrasound mode to further damage the tumor cells at a temperature of 39-43° C. for a second predetermined time period while performing observation of the tumor cells by ultrasonic thermometry.

The present disclosure provides novel modified nanodroplets with a layerby-layer (LBL) assembly formulation (“LBLnNDs”). The LBLnNDs of the present disclosure comprise gaseous perfluorocarbon core, polymer shell, and multiple alternating positively and negatively charged biopolymer layers dispersed layerby-layer onto the shell of the LBLnNDs. Methods of making and use of the LBLnNDs are also provided.

One aspect of the invention provides a method for freeze-drying surfactant-stabilized microbubbles. The method includes: preparing vials comprising a mixture comprising microbubbles; partially submerging the vials in a chilled water bath, wherein the water bath has a sub-freezing temperature; placing the vials on a cooled shelf of a lyophilizer; freeze-drying the vials in the lyophilizer; and capping the freeze-dried vials. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for annealing surfactant-stabilized microbubbles. The method includes: preparing vials comprising a mixture comprising microbubbles; passing the vials in and out of liquid nitrogen (LN.sub.2) until the mixture is frozen; holding the vials at −20° C.; placing the vials on a cooled shelf of a lyophilizer; freeze-drying the vials in the lyophilizer; and capping the freeze-dried vials.

There is provided a microparticle composition suitable for molecular imaging, the composition comprising microparticles, wherein the microparticles comprise: a core microparticle structure having a central area and a shell, and wherein the core microparticle structure comprises (i) a phosphatidylcholine lipid: (ii) a phosphatidylethanolamine lipid comprising at least one maleimide moiety; and (iii) an alkoxylated fatty acid.

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

We disclose a composition comprising an echogenic liposome (ELIP) having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least one bilayer comprising at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of saturated phospholipids, unsaturated phospholipids, mixed phospholipids, and cholesterol, and a thrombolytic compound trapped by the ELIP. We also disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient characterized by a thrombus in the patient's vasculature, comprising administering to the patient the composition in an amount effective to reduce the size of the thrombus.

There is provided herein a nanovesicle having a bilayer comprising a saturated first phospholipid and no more than about 15 molar % of a second phospholipid covalently conjugated to a J-aggregate forming dye.

Provided herein are methods and devices for identifying and/or distinguishing UCA formulations and specifically activating such formulations to produce UCA suitable for in vivo use.