Methods and devices for preparation of ultrasound contrast agents

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and devices for identifying and/or distinguishing UCA formulations and specifically activating such formulations to produce UCA suitable for in vivo use.

1 - 135 . (canceled) 
     
     
         136 . A method of using lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres for ultrasound imaging comprising:
 identifying a first ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) lipid formulation requiring activation for a pre-determined period of time and/or at a pre-determined shaking rate, using a device that distinguishes between the first and a second UCA lipid formulation;   activating the first UCA lipid formulation for the pre-determined period of time and/or at the pre-determined shaking rate to form lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres;   administering the lipid-encapsulated gas microspheres to a subject; and   obtaining an ultrasound image of the subject,   
       wherein the first or the second UCA lipid formulation is a non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 136 , wherein, based on identity of the first UCA lipid formulation, the device automatically selects the pre-determined period of time and/or the pre-determined shaking rate for activating the first UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 137 , wherein the first UCA lipid formulation is the non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 138 , wherein the non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation comprises DPPA, DPPC and MPEG5000-DPPE and less than 5% water (w/w). 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 138 , wherein the pre-determined period of time is about 75 seconds and the pre-determined shaking rate is about 4530 shaking motions per minute. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 137 , wherein the first UCA lipid formulation is an aqueous UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the aqueous UCA lipid formulation comprises DPPC. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein the aqueous UCA lipid formulation comprises MPEG5000-DPPE. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the pre-determined period of time is about 45 seconds and the pre-determined shaking rate is about 4530 shaking motions per minute. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 136 , wherein the device comprises a holder capable of holding a first container comprising the first UCA lipid formulation and incapable of holding a second container comprising the second UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 136 , wherein the device distinguishes the first UCA lipid formulation from the second UCA lipid formulation based on a unique identifier. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 136 , wherein the device imparts a reciprocating motion, a revolution, or a figure of 8 motion to the first UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         148 . A device that identifies and activates a first ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) lipid formulation for a pre-determined period of time and/or at a pre-determined shaking rate, and that distinguishes between the first and a second UCA lipid formulation, wherein the first or second UCA lipid formulation is a non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         149 . The device of  claim 148 , wherein, based on identity of the first UCA lipid formulation, the device automatically selects the pre-determined period of time and/or the pre-determined shaking rate for activating the first UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         150 . The device of  claim 149 , wherein when the first UCA lipid formulation is identified as a non-aqueous UCA lipid formulation, the device automatically selects about 75 seconds and/or about 4350 shaking motions per minute for activating the first UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         151 . The device of  claim 149 , wherein when the first UCA lipid formulation is identified as an aqueous UCA lipid formulation, the device automatically selects about 45 seconds and/or about 4350 shaking motions per minute for activating the first UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         152 . The device of  claim 148 , wherein the device imparts a reciprocating motion, a revolution, or a figure of 8 motion to the first UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         153 . The device of  claim 148 , wherein the device comprises a holder capable of holding a first container comprising the first UCA lipid formulation and incapable of holding a second container comprising the second UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         154 . The device of  claim 148 , wherein the device distinguishes the first UCA lipid formulation from the second UCA lipid formulation based on a unique identifier. 
     
     
         155 . The device of  claim 148 , wherein the device comprises a detector that distinguishes the first UCA lipid formulation from the second UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         156 . The device of  claim 155 , wherein the detector is an RFID reader. 
     
     
         157 . The device of  claim 155 , wherein the detector is capable of reading an RFID tag on a container comprising either the first or the second UCA lipid formulation. 
     
     
         158 . The device of  claim 155 , wherein the detector is a barcode scanner. 
     
     
         159 . The device of  claim 155 , wherein the detector is a color scanner.