Interleaved beam pattern for sonothrombolysis and other vascular acoustic resonator mediated therapies

Abstract

A therapeutic ultrasound system transmits a staggered or interleaved pattern of therapy beams for use in sonothrombolysis and other Vascular Acoustic Resonators (VAR) mediated therapy. The inventive technique minimizes VAR, e.g. microbubble, destruction due to adjacent beams, ensures uniform sonication of the targeted region by filling in the spaces between the beams in subsequent passes, and further provides a means for bubble replenishment to maximize the clot lysis from ultrasound. The technique is also applicable to diagnostic ultrasound, VAR mediated drug delivery and blood brain barrieropening.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to medical ultrasound systems, and in particular to ultrasound systems in combination with vascular acoustic resonators (VARs) (eg, gas-filled microbubbles) to perform ultrasonic thrombolysis and other treatments. Background technique

[0002] Ischemic stroke is one of the most debilitating diseases known in medicine. Blocked or significantly reduced blood flow to the brain can quickly lead to paralysis or death. Attempts to achieve recanalization by thrombolytic drug therapy (eg, treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)) have been reported to result in symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage in many cases. Advances in the diagnosis and management of this serious health-damaging effect are the subject of continuing medical research.

[0003] US Patent 8211023 (Swan et al.) describes a diagnostic ultrasound system and method that enables a clinician to transcranially visualize areas of cerebral vessels where blood ...

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