Ultrasound Stroke Treatment Using Segmented Acoustic Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasound-based stroke treatments face challenges in delivering vascular acoustic resonators (VARs) to the site of vascular obstruction due to the clot, which obstructs blood flow, limiting the supply of fresh VARs and hindering effective clot lysis and microvascular reperfusion.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasound stroke treatment system that applies mid- to high-acoustic pressure ultrasound waves directly to the occlusion for clot lysis and simultaneously uses lower acoustic pressure waves over a wider area surrounding the occlusion to promote microvascular reperfusion, with a contralateral transducer delivering low acoustic pressure to push new VARs towards the occlusion while the ipsilateral transducer breaks up the clot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high acoustic pressure ultrasound waves are applied to the occlusion site for clot lysis, then clot disruption is enhanced, but microbubble destruction increases and microvascular reperfusion is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot lysis efficiencyVSAvoidmicrovascular reperfusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment is divided into distinct temporal phases: a high-acoustic pressure phase for clot lysis followed by a low-acoustic pressure phase for microvascular reperfusion. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between clot disruption efficiency and microvascular reperfusion reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ultrasound treatment alternates between high-acoustic pressure pulses (for clot lysis) and low-acoustic pressure pulses (for microvascular reperfusion and VAR replenishment). This periodic action enables the system to achieve both clot disruption and microvascular reperfusion by cycling between the two acoustic pressure levels throughout the treatment duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Quantity of substance

If the clot obstructs blood flow to deliver fresh VARs to the occlusion site, then VAR supply is limited, but continuous clot lysis is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVAR supply to occlusion siteVSAvoidclot lysis effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Low-acoustic pressure ultrasound is applied during the reperfusion phase to prepare the microvasculature for VAR replenishment before the next high-acoustic pressure clot lysis phase. This preliminary action ensures that fresh VARs are available in the bloodstream and microvasculature before the next clot disruption event, maintaining continuous clot lysis effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alternating treatment protocol ensures continuous useful action by maintaining clot lysis during high-pressure phases while simultaneously enabling VAR replenishment and microvascular reperfusion during low-pressure phases. This continuity prevents treatment interruption and sustains both clot disruption and VAR supply throughout the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the delivery of VARs to the occlusion site, facilitating both clot lysis and microvascular reperfusion, optimizing the treatment by allowing for periodic infusion of fresh VARs and minimizing microbubble destruction.

Implementation Method 1

The oscillation of the VARs in the ultrasound field helps disrupt the blood clots that cause heart attacks and stroke

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

Use of ultrasound waves is an emerging non-invasive stroke treatment modality which is applied to help lyse blood clots causing vascular occlusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

applying ultrasound waves at lower acoustic pressure levels over a wider area surrounding the occlusion to promote microvascular reperfusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Implementation Method 4

The oscillation of the VARs in the ultrasound field helps disrupt the blood clots that cause heart attacks and stroke

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3016713B1Devices for the ultrasound treatment of ischemic stroke

Publication Date: 2023.03.01 BRACCO SUISSE SA

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AI summary

Ultrasonic sonothrombolysis systems to produce two acoustic pressure levels of insonation during stroke therapy, mid/high acoustic pressure insonation directed to the site of a blood clot where microbubbles are present to induce microbubble-mediated blood clot lysis, and low acoustic insonation directed to the region surrounding the site of the blood clot where microbubbles are present to stimulate microvascular reperfusion of the surrounding tissue. The systems simultaneously produce blood clot lysis at the site of an occlusion and stimulate reperfusion of tissue affected by the occlusion.