IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,465,642
Granted Patent B2
US 12,465,642 · App. 18/187,878 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Targeting microbubbles

Inventors: Robert H. Grubbs (South Pasadena, CA); Marshall L. Stoller (San Francisco, CA); Hoyong Chung (Pasadena, CA); Alissa M. Fitzgerald (San Francisco, CA); Thomas W. Kenny (San Francisco, CA); Renee M. Thomas (Gainesville, FL)
Assignees: California Institute of Technology; The Regents of the University of California
A61K41/0028A61B17/22004A61B17/2202A61B17/22022A61K9/0009A61K9/0019A61K9/08A61K9/1075A61K31/663A61K41/0033A61K47/24A61K47/6911A61N7/00A61B2017/22007A61B2017/22008A61K2121/00A61N2007/0039
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,465,642
App. No.
18/187,878
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

This invention related to manufactured microbubbles, as well as methods of using manufactured microbubbles, for example, in medicinal applications. The invention pertains to the physical structure and materials of the microbubbles, as well as to methods for manufacturing microbubbles, methods for targeting microbubbles for specific medicinal applications, and methods for delivering microbubbles in medical treatment.

Claims (26)

1 . A method of fragmenting a target within a patient comprising:

(a) administering microbubbles to the patient, the microbubbles comprising (i) gas, and (ii) a targeting moiety, wherein the targeting moiety comprises a bisphosphonate;

(b) concentrating the microbubbles on or near the target; and

(c) fragmenting the target by applying ultrasound or electromagnetic energy to the microbubbles within the patient, wherein the target is a urinary stone, a biliary stone, a kidney stone, a blood clot, a fibroid, or atheromatous plaque.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the administering is via injection, inhalation, or implantation.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target is a urinary stone.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the targeting moiety is chemically attached to an anchoring moiety.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the anchoring moiety comprises a bio-lipid, synthetic polymer, protein, or surfactant, or combination thereof.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the chemical attachment is via a linking polymeric moiety.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the microbubbles within the patient are attached to the target.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the microbubbles within the patient are in proximity to the target, but are not attached to the target.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target is fragmented by applying ultrasound.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target is fragmented by applying electromagnetic energy.

11 . A method of treating a patient, the method comprising:

(a) delivering a solution comprising microbubbles to a site within the patient, the microbubbles comprising a targeting moiety with a specific affinity to a target selected from a urinary stone, a biliary stone, a kidney stone, a blood clot, a fibroid, and atheromatous plaque;

(b) concentrating the microbubbles on or near the target; and

(c) fragmenting the target by applying ultrasound or electromagnetic energy to the microbubbles within the patient.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the solution is delivered directly to the site via implantation or via a catheter.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the solution is delivered to the patient via injection or inhalation.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the microbubbles further comprise a bio-lipid, synthetic polymer, protein, or surfactant.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the microbubbles within the patient are attached to the target.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the microbubbles within the patient are in proximity to the target, but are not attached to the target.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the targeting moiety is chemically attached to an anchoring moiety.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the anchoring moiety comprises a bio-lipid, synthetic polymer, protein, or surfactant, or combination thereof.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the chemical attachment is via a linking polymeric moiety.

20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the target is a urinary stone or kidney stone.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: STOLLER, MARSHALL L.
To: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Reel/Frame 063972/0943 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: GRUBBS, ROBERT H.; CHUNG, HOYONG; FITZGERALD, ALISSA M.; THOMAS, RENEE M.; KENNY, THOMAS W.
To: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Reel/Frame 063973/0056 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17544630 · Dec 7, 2021
Continuation 16431605 · Jun 4, 2019
Continuation 16154677 · Oct 8, 2018
Division 15199710 · Jun 30, 2016
Division 13593747 · Aug 24, 2012
Provisional Application 61527031 · Aug 24, 2011
Related Publication 20230285561A1 · Sep 14, 2023
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