Method and apparatus combining diagnostic ultrasound with therapeutic ultrasound to enhance thrombolysis
US6635017B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N7/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for combining therapeutic pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound with diagnostic pulsed ultrasound are described. In both a therapeutic mode and in a diagnostic mode, the ultrasound is administered from a single probe to a patient suffering from thrombosis. The ultrasound can have the same or different frequency ranges in the diagnostic and therapeutic modes. The pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound in the therapeutic mode enhances a lysing effect of a thrombolytic agent. The pulsed ultrasound in the diagnostic mode allows monitoring of blood flow to locate a thrombus, to determine an optimal window to administer the therapeutic pulsed ultrasound, and to detect when recanalization has occurred. If an operator attends the device, a graphical display operates during the diagnostic mode to display an image representative of the blood flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.