abstract |
The present invention is directed to targeted therapeutic delivery systems comprising a gas or gaseous precursor filled microsphere wherein said gas or gaseous precursor filled microsphere comprises an oil, a surfactant, and a therapeutic compound. Methods of preparing the targeted therapeutic delivery systems are also embodied by the present invention which comprise processing a solution comprising an oil and a surfactant in the presence of a gaseous precursor, at a temperature below the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of the surfactant to form gas or gaseous precursor filled microsphere, and adding to said microspheres a therapeutic compound resulting in a targeted therapeutic delivery system, wherein said processing is selected from the group consisting of controlled agitation, controlled drying, and a combination thereof. |