Patent ID: 6416740
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A61K,A61P,B82Y

Abstract:
A method for the controlled delivery of a therapeutic compound to a region of a patient comprising: (i) administering to a patient a targeted therapeutic delivery system comprising, in combination with a therapeutic compound, stabilized lipid microspheres encapsulating a gas or gaseous precursor and an oil, wherein said microspheres comprises at least one phosphatidylcholine, at least one phosphatidylethanolamine, and at least one phosphatidic acid, wherein said phosphatidylcholine is selected from the group consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine dimyistoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and distearoyl-phosphatidylcholine; said phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEG 5,000, dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, and N-succinyl-dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine; and said phosphatidic acid is dipalmatoylphosphatidic acid; (ii) monitoring the targeted therapeutic delivery system using diagnostic ultrasound to determine the presence of the microspheres in said region; and (iii) applying therapeutic ultrasound to said region to induce rupturing of said microspheres, thereby releasing the therapeutic compound in said region, wherein said therapeutic compound is encapsulated or embedded in said microspheres, and said therapeutic ultrasound is applied at a level below the threshold level for lethal cytotoxicity.