Therapeutic drug delivery systems
AssigneeImaRx Pharmaceutical Corp.
InventorsEvan C. Unger, Thomas A. Fritz, Terry Matsunaga, VaradaRajan Ramaswami, David Yellowhair, Guanli Wu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Therapeutic drug delivery systems comprising gas-filled microspheres comprising a therapeutic are described. Methods for employing such microspheres in therapeutic drug delivery applications are also provided. Drug delivery systems comprising gas-filled liposomes having encapsulated therein a drug are preferred. Methods of and apparatus for preparing such liposomes and methods for employing such liposomes in drug delivery applications are also disclosed.
Claims17
A method for the controlled delivery of therapeutic compounds to a region of a patient comprising:
- (i) administering to the patient an aqueous suspension of gas-filled liposomes, said gas-filled liposomes comprising a therapeutic compound, and further comprising at least about 50% gas in the interior thereof;
- (ii) monitoring the liposomes using ultrasound to determine the presence of the liposomes in the region;
- and
- (iii) inducing the rupture of the liposomes using ultrasound to release the therapeutic compound in the region to achieve a therapeutic effect.
A method for the controlled delivery of a drug to an internal bodily region of a patient comprising:
- (a) administering to the patient an aqueous suspension of a drug delivery system comprising gas-filled liposomes prepared by a vacuum drying gas instillation method, said liposomes comprising at least about 90% gas in the interior thereof and having encapsulated therein a drug;
- (b) monitoring the liposomes using ultrasound to determine the presence of said liposomes in the region;
- and
- (c) inducing the rupture of the liposomes using ultrasound to release the drugs in the region to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.