Invention:  Lipid-coated microbubbles condensed under pressures above atmospheric temperatures (> 10 atm) accompanied by cooling of the vessel for which the microbubbles are stored to a temperature below 0 degrees C. This cooling is accompanied by gentle agitation. The resultant condensation of the perfluorcarbons in the liquid forms a lipid-stabilized droplet than can be re-expanded by ultrasound to the original size. The size of the droplets approximate the amount of perfluorocarbon condensed that, when expanded, will yield a microbubble of predictable size approximating theoretical expansions predicted by ideal gas laws (PV = nRT). Microbubles between of 100nm diameter are achieved. Investigators have made perfluorocarbon droplets with this method that are stable 40 degrees above the boiling point of the perfluorocarbon.

Advantages:

May provide for extravascular ultrasound contrast agent

Lipid-coated microbubble including targeting ligands may provide for focus therapeutics activiated by ultrasound

Status:  This technology is available for further investigation to potential development partners.

Lead Inventor:  Terry Matsunaga