Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis device

Abstract

To provide an ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis device.SOLUTION: An ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis device 100 includes a catheter 110, a first ultrasound module 120, a second ultrasound module 130, and a control device 140. The first ultrasound module 120 and the second ultrasound module 130 are installed in the catheter 110 and electrically connected to the control device 140. The first ultrasound module 120 is used to emit ultrasound toward a thrombus to dissolve the thrombus, and the second ultrasound module 130 is used to emit ultrasound toward the thrombus and measure a distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus. The control device 140 controls the first ultrasound module 120 and the second ultrasound module 130 on the basis of the measured distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for ultrasound assisted thrombolysis, and more particularly to a device for ultrasound assisted thrombolysis capable of monitoring the dissolution state of a thrombus in real time.

Background Art

[0002] As methods for treating thrombi, there are systemic thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and ultrasound assisted thrombolysis.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] For acute patients, there is no choice but to perform systemic thrombolysis by administering a high dose of thrombolytic agent by intravenous injection, but this easily causes internal bleeding. In mechanical thrombectomy, the patient is exposed to X-rays for a long time. Compared with systemic thrombolysis, ultrasound assisted thrombolysis can reduce the dose of thrombolytic agent, but there is a risk of bleeding. Also, none of the above-mentioned thrombolysis methods could monitor the dissolution state of the thrombus in real time.

[0004] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention considered that the above-mentioned drawbacks could be improved, and as a result of intensive studies, the present invention was proposed to effectively improve the above-mentioned problems by rational design.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a device for ultrasound assisted thrombolysis. That is, according to this device, a thrombus is dissolved by a first ultrasound, the distance between the thrombus and the catheter is measured in real time by a second ultrasound, and the dissolution state of the thrombus is monitored. By doing so, the dose of the thrombolytic agent is reduced, and the bleeding risk of the patient is reduced.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, an ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a catheter, a first ultrasonic module, a second ultrasonic module, and a control device. The catheter has a wall portion and a housing space, and the wall portion surrounds the housing space. The first ultrasonic module and the second ultrasonic module are installed in the housing space. The first ultrasonic module emits a first ultrasonic wave. The first ultrasonic wave is used to dissolve a thrombus outside the catheter. The second ultrasonic module emits a second ultrasonic wave. The second ultrasonic wave acts on the thrombus and is used to reflect a third ultrasonic wave. The frequency of the second ultrasonic wave is higher than the frequency of the first ultrasonic wave. The control device is electrically connected to the first ultrasonic module and the second ultrasonic module. The control device measures the distance between the catheter and the thrombus based on the time difference between the emission time of the second ultrasonic wave and the reception time of the third ultrasonic wave, and determines whether to continuously activate or stop the first ultrasonic module and the second ultrasonic module based on the distance between the catheter and the thrombus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible within the described range, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0009] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device 100 according to the present invention will be described.

[0010] In the example of FIG. 1, the ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device 100 according to the present invention is applied to ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis (USAT) treatment, destroys fibrin (not shown) of the thrombus 200, helps the thrombolytic agent to penetrate into the thrombus 200, and is used to accelerate the dissolution rate of the thrombus. Further, in the treatment process, by monitoring the dissolution state of the thrombus 200 in real time with the ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device 100, the dosage of the thrombolytic agent is greatly reduced, and internal bleeding of the patient is prevented.

[0011] In the example of FIG. 2, the ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device 100 includes a catheter 110, at least one first ultrasonic module 120, at least one second ultrasonic module 130, and a control device 140. The catheter 110 has a wall portion 111 and an accommodation space 112, and the wall portion 111 surrounds the accommodation space 112. The first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 are installed in the accommodation space 112 and are located at the front end of the catheter 110. The first ultrasonic module 120 emits a first ultrasonic wave W1, and the second ultrasonic module 130 emits a second ultrasonic wave W2. The control device 140 is electrically connected to the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 and controls the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130. The first ultrasonic module 120 emits the first ultrasonic wave W1 toward the outside of the catheter 110, and the second ultrasonic module 130 emits the second ultrasonic wave W2 toward the outside of the catheter 110.

[0012] Preferably, the ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device 100 has a plurality of first ultrasonic modules 120 and a plurality of second ultrasonic modules 130. The first ultrasonic modules 120 and the second ultrasonic modules 130 are arranged to intersect in the accommodation space 112 along the axial direction X of the catheter 110, and each of the first ultrasonic modules 120 is located between two adjacent second ultrasonic modules 130. Along the direction Y intersecting the axial direction X, each of the first ultrasonic modules 120 emits the first ultrasonic wave W1 toward the outside of the catheter 110, and each of the second ultrasonic modules 130 emits the second ultrasonic wave W2 toward the outside of the catheter 110. In this embodiment, the direction Y is perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, after the catheter 110 is placed in a blood vessel adjacent to the thrombus 200, the catheter 110 is moved so that its front end contacts the thrombus 200. Next, the control device 140 activates the second ultrasonic module 130 to emit the second ultrasonic wave W2 toward the thrombus 200 outside the catheter 110. The second ultrasonic wave W2 acts on the thrombus 200 and is used to reflect the third ultrasonic wave W3. The third ultrasonic wave W3 is reflected so as to return from the thrombus 200 to the second ultrasonic module 130. The control device 140 measures the initial distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus 200 based on the time difference between the emission time of the second ultrasonic wave W2 and the reception time of the third ultrasonic wave W3. After obtaining the initial distance, the control device 140 activates the first ultrasonic module 120 to emit the first ultrasonic wave W1 toward the thrombus 200 outside the catheter 110. The first ultrasonic wave W1 is used to assist in dissolving the thrombus 200. The positive and negative pressure of the first ultrasonic wave W1 destroys the fibrin in the thrombus 200, scatters or breaks the fibrin, and helps the thrombolytic agent to penetrate into the thrombus 200, thereby increasing the thrombolysis efficiency. Preferably, the first ultrasonic wave W1 is a low-frequency pulsed ultrasonic wave, and its frequency ranges between 1.5 and 2.5 MHz to prevent thermal injury to blood vessel tissue. The frequency of the second ultrasonic wave W2 is higher than the frequency of the first ultrasonic wave W1, increasing the resolution of distance measurement within the radius range of the blood vessel. The frequency of the second ultrasonic wave W2 ranges between 15 and 25 MHz.

[0014] During the treatment process, the control device 140 periodically activates the second ultrasonic module 130 to measure the distance. The control device 140 automatically adjusts the output frequency and power of the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 based on the distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus 200, and determines whether to continuously activate or stop the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 based on the distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus 200. The present invention monitors and displays the change in distance in real time by the second ultrasonic module 130, enabling medical staff to know the dissolution state of the thrombus 200 in real time and assisting in the determination of whether to continue the treatment. Preferably, the control device 140 does not activate the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 simultaneously, preventing the situation where the first ultrasonic wave W1 affects the distance measurement.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, preferably, the ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device 100 further includes a temperature sensor 150 installed in the accommodation space 112 of the catheter 110 and electrically connected to the control device 140. During the treatment process, the temperature sensor 150 detects the temperature on one or both of the inside and outside of the catheter 110. The control device 140 adjusts the output frequency and power of the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 150, preventing the situation where vascular tissue is damaged by high temperature. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 150 is installed at the forefront of the catheter 110. However, the present invention has no limitation on the installation position of the temperature sensor 150, and it can be installed at any position adjacent to the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130.

[0016] Perform thrombolytic therapy in combination with a labeled ultrasonic contrast agent. In one embodiment, microbubbles are generated by the ultrasonic contrast agent, polyfluoroethylene gas is injected into the interior, and a recognizable glycoprotein GP Iib / IIIa receptor is embedded on the surface. The receptor specifically identifies the thrombus and helps increase the concentration of the contrast agent around the thrombus. The positive and negative pressure generated by the first ultrasonic wave W1 causes the ultrasonic contrast agent to vibrate, dispersing the thrombus structure to form cavities, helping the thrombolytic agent to enter the interior of the thrombus, and accelerating the dissolution rate of the thrombus. In other embodiments, the thrombolytic effect is achieved using only the ultrasonic-assisted thrombolysis device 100 and the labeled ultrasonic contrast agent without using a thrombolytic agent.

[0017] Preferably, the catheter 110 further has an inner core 113 (see FIG. 3a) installed in the accommodation space 112. The inner core 113 is made of a soft material and helps the inner core 113 assist the movement of the catheter 110 when medical staff guides the catheter 110 to be positioned.

[0018] <First Embodiment> FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively show a longitudinal sectional view and a cross-sectional view of the catheter 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the first ultrasonic module 120 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 121. The ultrasonic transducers 121 are annularly arranged in the accommodation space 112 to form an array transducer. By doing so, the first ultrasonic module 120 emits the first ultrasonic wave W1 360 degrees outside the catheter 110 to perform thrombolytic therapy. Similarly, the second ultrasonic module 130 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 131. By arranging the ultrasonic transducers 131 annularly in the accommodation space 112, the second ultrasonic module 130 emits the second ultrasonic wave W2 360 degrees outside the catheter 110 to comprehensively monitor the distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers 121 / 131 are arranged annularly on the surface of the inner core 113 at the same angle, so that the ultrasonic transducers 121 / 131 are located between the wall portion 111 and the inner core 113, and adjacent ultrasonic transducers 121 / 131 are parallel to the surface of the inner core 113.

[0020] <Second Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, regarding the difference from the first embodiment of this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers 121 / 131 according to the second embodiment are arranged annularly on the surface of the inner core 113 at different angles. Adjacent ultrasonic transducers 121 / 131 are arranged in a staggered (alternate) manner on the surface of the inner core 113.

[0021] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 shows the third embodiment of the present invention. The first ultrasonic module 120 has an annular ultrasonic transducer 122. The annular ultrasonic transducer 122 is installed in the accommodation space 112 along the wall portion 111, and emits the first ultrasonic wave W1 360 degrees outside the catheter 110. No matter where the thrombus is located outside the catheter 110, the first ultrasonic wave W1 is emitted toward the thrombus. The second ultrasonic module 130 has an annular ultrasonic transducer 132. The annular ultrasonic transducer 132 is installed in the accommodation space 112 along the wall portion 111, emits the second ultrasonic wave W2 360 degrees outside the catheter 110, and comprehensively monitors the distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus. Preferably, by covering the surface of the inner core 113 with the annular ultrasonic transducers 122 / 132, the annular ultrasonic transducers 122 / 132 are located between the wall portion 111 and the inner core 113.

[0022] In the present invention, the penetration rate of the thrombolytic agent is increased by the first ultrasonic wave W1, the dosage of the thrombolytic agent is reduced, and the situation where the patient causes internal bleeding is prevented. In addition, by measuring the distance between the catheter 110 and the thrombus by the second ultrasonic wave W2, the dissolution state of the thrombus is monitored in real time during the treatment process. The control device 140 automatically adjusts the first ultrasonic module 120 and the second ultrasonic module 130 based on the dissolution state of the thrombus. This enables the medical staff to determine whether to end the treatment process earlier.

[0023] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0024] 100 Ultrasonic-Assisted Thrombolysis Device 110 Catheter 111 Wall Portion 112 Accommodation Space 113 Inner Core 120 First Ultrasonic Module 121 Ultrasonic Transducer 122 Annular Ultrasonic Transducer 130 Second Ultrasonic Module 131 Ultrasonic Transducer 132 Annular Ultrasonic Transducer 140 Control Device 150 Temperature Sensor 200 Thrombus W1 First Ultrasonic Wave W2 Second Ultrasonic Wave W3 Third Ultrasonic Wave X-Axis Direction Y-Direction

Claims

1. A catheter having a wall portion and an accommodation space, wherein the wall portion surrounds the accommodation space, and at least one first ultrasonic module installed in the accommodation space and emitting a first ultrasonic wave, wherein the first ultrasonic wave is at least one first ultrasonic module used for dissolving a thrombus outside the catheter, and at least one second ultrasonic module installed in the accommodation space and emitting a second ultrasonic wave, wherein the second ultrasonic wave acts on the thrombus and is used for reflecting a third ultrasonic wave, and the frequency of the second ultrasonic wave is greater than the frequency of the first ultrasonic wave, and at least one second ultrasonic module, and a control device electrically connected to the first ultrasonic module and the second ultrasonic module, measuring the distance between the catheter and the thrombus based on the time difference between the emission time of the second ultrasonic wave and the reception time of the third ultrasonic wave, and determining whether to continuously activate or stop the first ultrasonic module and the second ultrasonic module based on the distance between the catheter and the thrombus, and An ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device according to claim 1, wherein the first ultrasonic module has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers annularly arranged in the accommodation space.

3. The ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second ultrasonic module has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers annularly arranged in the accommodation space.

4. The catheter further has an inner core installed in the accommodation space, and The ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device according to claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is located between the inner core and the wall portion.

5. The ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device according to claim 1, wherein the first ultrasonic module has an annular ultrasonic transducer installed in the accommodation space along the wall portion.

6. The ultrasonic-assisted thrombus dissolution device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the second ultrasonic module has an annular ultrasonic transducer installed in the accommodation space along the wall portion.

7. The catheter further has an inner core installed in the accommodation space, and The ultrasonic assisted thrombolysis device according to claim 6, wherein the annular ultrasonic transducer is located between the inner core and the wall portion.

8. The ultrasonic assisted thrombolysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the first ultrasonic modules and a plurality of the second ultrasonic modules arranged to intersect the accommodation space along the axial direction of the catheter.

9. The ultrasonic assisted thrombolysis device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the first ultrasonic wave is in the range between 1.5 and 2.5 MHz.

10. The ultrasonic assisted thrombolysis device according to claim 1 or 9, wherein the frequency of the second ultrasonic wave is in the range between 15 and 25 MHz.

11. The ultrasonic assisted thrombolysis device further comprises a temperature sensor installed in the accommodation space for detecting the temperature of one or both of the inside and outside of the catheter. The control device is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and controls the first ultrasonic module and the second ultrasonic module based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The ultrasonic assisted thrombolysis device according to claim 1.

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