Emulsions of perfluorinated solvents for intravascular gas transport.

During the past several years we have progressed from the use of perfluorinated substances, which were good gas solvents but often produced unexpected physiological reactions, to a point where emulsions of pure perfluorinated substances can be made in a reproducible way. A standardized method of making emulsions has now been developed. The physical properties of the perfluorinated substances needed to make useful emulsions have been defined.