US5695460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enhancement of ultrasound thrombolysis
Assignee: TRANSON A DELAWARE Corp LLC
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Filing: 1995-05-15
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Granted: 1997-12-09
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Expires: 2015-05-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are provided for utilizing a combination of ultrasonic energy and an echo contrast agent containing microbubbles, for substantially dissolving blood clots or other vascular obstructions. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a selected dose of thrombolytic agent in combination with an echo contrast agent, for enhancing the thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent and removing a thrombosis from a vascular system in less time than the time required by activity of the selected dose of thrombolytic agent without the ultrasonic radiation of the thrombosis.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Siegel
- 👤 Robert E. Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22004; A61B17/22012; A61N; A61N7/00; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22084; A61B2017/22088; A61B2017/22089; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925; A61B2090/3933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for removing a thrombosis, said method comprising the steps of: (a) radiating a thrombosis, disposed in a vessel within a body, with ultrasound in order to effect removal of the thrombosis by dissolution thereof, said ultrasound being introduced at a frequency of less than about 100 kHz; and (b) introducing a selected dose of an echo contrast agent proximate the thrombosis in order to enhance the effectiveness of the ultrasound in removing the thrombosis by dissolution thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for removing a thrombosis, said method comprising the steps of: (a) radiating a thrombosis, disposed in a vessel within a body, with ultrasound in order to effect removal of the thrombosis by dissolution thereof, said ultrasound being introduced at a frequency of less than about 100 kHz; and (b) introducing a selected dose of an echo contrast agent proximate the thrombosis in order to enhance the effectiveness of the ultrasound in removing the thrombosis by dissolution thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasound is applied transcutaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasound is applied intravascularly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasound is introduced at a frequency of between about 24 kHz and about 53 kHz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasound is introduced at a frequency of between about 24 kHz and about 53 kHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the echo contrast agent is comprised of a microbubble medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the microbubble medium is comprised of a medium selected from the group consisting of free gas bubbles, stabilized gas bubbles, colloidal suspensions, emulsions, and aqueous solutions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the microbubble medium is a colloidal suspension comprising dodecafluropentane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the microbubble medium is an aqueous solution comprised of sonicated albumin.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for enhancing thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent, said method comprising the steps of: (a) radiating a thrombosis, disposed in a vessel within a body, with ultrasound in order to effect removal of the thrombosis, said ultrasound having a frequency of less than about 100 kHz; (b) introducing a selected dose of a thrombolytic agent proximate the thrombosis; and (c) introducing a selected dose of an echo contrast agent proximate the thrombosis in order to enhance the effectiveness of both the ultrasound and the thrombolytic agent in removing the thrombosis.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for enhancing thrombolytic action of a thrombolytic agent, said method comprising the steps of: (a) radiating a thrombosis, disposed in a vessel within a body, with ultrasound in order to effect removal of the thrombosis, said ultrasound having a frequency of less than about 100 kHz; (b) introducing a selected dose of a thrombolytic agent proximate the thrombosis; and (c) introducing a selected dose of an echo contrast agent proximate the thrombosis in order to enhance the effectiveness of both the ultrasound and the thrombolytic agent in removing the thrombosis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the ultrasound is applied transcutaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein ultrasound is applied intravascularly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein streptokinase is introduced as the thrombolytic agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the echo contrast agent is comprised of a microbubble medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the microbubble medium is comprised of a medium selected from the group consisting of free gas bubbles, stabilized gas bubbles, colloidal suspensions, emulsions, and aqueous solutions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the microbubble medium is a colloidal suspension comprising dodecafluropentane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the microbubble medium is an aqueous solution comprising sonicated albumin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for removal of a cardiovascular blockage, said apparatus comprising, in combination: ultrasonic means for radiating a cardiovascular blockage with ultrasound, having a frequency of less than about 100 kHz; and means for introducing a selected dose of an echo contrast agent proximate the cardiovascular blockage in order to enhance the effect of the ultrasound in removing the cardiovascular blockage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus for removal of a cardiovascular blockage, said apparatus comprising, in combination: ultrasonic means for radiating a cardiovascular blockage with ultrasound, having a frequency of less than about 100 kHz; and means for introducing a selected dose of an echo contrast agent proximate the cardiovascular blockage in order to enhance the effect of the ultrasound in removing the cardiovascular blockage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the echo contrast agent is a microbubble medium selected from the group consisting of free gas bubbles, stabilized gas bubbles, colloidal suspensions, emulsions, and aqueous solutions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |