Ultrasonic method, system, and device for diagnosis of stroke

Abstract

A medical diagnostic method, system and related equipment particularly adapted to diagnose disorders of the blood circulation serving the head and neck, and especially the brain. A preferred use of the system is early, rapid, accurate, diagnosis of stroke, especially whether the stroke is due to blockage of a blood vessel or leakage from the blood vessel.

Description

[0001]Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of Pat. No. 7,037,267. The reissue applications are this reissue application Ser. No. 11 / 823,811 filed Jun. 27, 2007; divisional reissue application Ser. No. 13 / 204,836 filed Aug. 8, 2011; and divisional reissue application Ser. No. 13 / 204,984 filed Aug. 8, 2011, all of which are divisional reissues of Pat. No. 7,037,267.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60 / 164,586 filed Nov. 10, 1999. Friday, Nov. 10, 2000, was a holiday in the District of Columbia; see 35 USC §119(e)(3).TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]This invention involves medical diagnostic methods, systems, and apparatus, particularly those intended for diagnosis of disorders in the blood supply to the brain.BACKGROUND[0004]There are many highly accurate techniques for diagnosing disorders of the brain and nervous system. Unfortunately, many of them require large and immovable equipm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0059]Ultrasonic systems produce or detect signals better if a transmitter / receiver is “acoustically coupled” in the vicinity of the natural or man-made opening, thus reducing signal loss due to reflection and dissipation when the ultrasonic waves strike (from either direction) the surface of the tissue immediately within the opening. Often it is sufficient for the transmitter / receiver to fit tightly within the opening and physically contact the tissue surface (or the surface of other tissue which itself is acoustically coupled to the tissue of interest).

[0077]In any embodiment, the invention may be employed to additionally deliver ultrasonic energy during the administration of therapy, such as tPA, in response to a diagnosis of stroke, so that the ultrasonic energy may improve the effectiveness of the therapy.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, many of them require large and immovable equipment, extremely sophisticated computers, and highly trained personnel to operate them.

They are not suitable for first responders, paramedics and other field medical personnel.

They also are not suitable for the rapid use that medical emergencies require.

Similarly, they often are not suitable for use in surgical suites where working room is at a premium, and the large electromagnetic fields generated by some types of equipment are not compatible with other equipment, tools, and personnel typically present.

Emboli that lodge in place can cause additional thrombi (see below) to form at the same location.

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