Kits & systems for ultrasonic imaging

A kit for the formation of stabilized microbubble preparation comprising:

• a container having dispersed therein a gas osmotic agent, and a plurality of dry microbubble precursors comprising a first surfactant comprising a phospholipid or mixture of phospholipids having at least one acyl chain of 10 or more carbon atoms and a second surfactant more water soluble that the first surfactant whereby a plurality of stabilized microbubbles are formed by reconstituting said microbubble precursors with an aqueous medium, whereby said second surfactant facilitates shell dissolution, resulting in said first surfactant surrounding said gas osmotic agent to form an osmotically stabilized microbubble in said container.

A kit for the formation of a stabilized microbubble preparation comprising:

• a container having dispersed therein a gas osmotic agent and a powdered material incorporating a first surfactant comprising a phospholipid or mixture of phospholipids having at least one acyl chain of 10 or more carbon atoms and a second surfactant more water soluble than the first surfactant whereby a plurality of stabilized microbubbles incorporating the gas osmotic agent and defined by a surfactant layer comprising the first surfactant are formed by the reconstitution of said powdered material facilitated by diffusion of said second surfactant from said powdered material upon addition of said aqueous medium in said container.