**Lipid-Based Nanoparticles and Microbubbles – Multifunctional Lipid-Based Biocompatible Particles for** *in vivo* **Imaging and Theranostics**

Jaroslav Turánek, Andrew D. Miller, Zuzana Kauerová, Róbert Lukáč, Josef Mašek, Štěpán Koudelka and Milan Raška

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/59870

**1. Introduction**

### **1.1. Summary**

Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) are both biocompatible and biodegradable so very well suited to medicinal application in targeted drug delivery and *in vivo* imaging. Microbubbles (MB) are another emerging platform for functional delivery of drugs and *in vivo* imaging. This chapter is focused on the principles of LNP and MB construction, action and application, concluding with a section on the medical benefits that may result from bringing LNP and MB technologies together. Some applications are mentioned in brief to demonstrate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of LNPs and MBs. More specific detail on applications is provided elsewhere in this book.
