Patent ID: 6217850
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61K,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a microbubble-releasing matrix comprising a cryoprotectant/lyoprotectant containing gas-filled substantially spherical cavities or vacuoles surrounded by layers of membrane-forming lipid material, wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of sulphur hexafluoride, fluorinated low molecular weight hydrocarbons and mixtures of the foregoing, and wherein at least about 70% of said membrane-forming lipid material consists of one or more phosphatidylserines, said process comprising the steps:i) dispersing said gas in an aqueous medium containing said membrane-forming lipid material to form a lipid-stabilised dispersion of microbubbles of said gas;ii) adding said cryoprotectant/lyoprotectant to said dispersion; andiii) lyophilising said dispersion to yield said microbubble-releasing matrix.