Method for making porous microparticles by spray drying
AssigneeAcusphere, Inc.
InventorsJulie Ann Straub, Edith Mathiowitz, Howard Bernstein, Henry T. Brush, Richard E. Wing
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Abstract
It has been discovered that the incorporation of fluorinated gases, especially a perfluorocarbon such as octafluoropropane, into synthetic polymeric microparticles, significantly enhances echogenicity as compared with microparticles having air incorporated therein. The microencapsulated perfluorocarbon is manufactured with a diameter suitable for the targeted tissue to be imaged, for example, for intravenous or oral administration. In one embodiment, bioadhesive microparticles are formed for enhanced imaging of mucosal surfaces.
Claims10
A method for making a microparticle formed of a synthetic biocompatible polymer useful as an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the microparticle is formed by emulsifying a solution of the synthetic biocompatible polymer with an aqueous solution of volatile salt pore forming agents, then removing the polymer solvent and water with the volatile salt pore forming agents to form a porous microparticle, prior to administration as an ultrasound contrast agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.