Thrombolysis In Retinal Vessels With Ultrasound
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic needle transducer system comprising:
- an ultrasonic needle transducer for producing an output of ultrasound energy, the transducer including a piezoelectric material and being configured and arranged for intraocular insertion;
a control unit connected to the ultrasound transducer and configured and arranged to control the production of ultrasound energy from the transducer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described providing for the use of ultrasound energy to effect the dislodging of one or more blood clots inside blood vessels. Such clots can include those inside retinal vessels, especially in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for any retinal arterial or venous occlusion. In exemplary embodiments, a small probe can be inserted into the eye of a patient and placed over the retinal vessels. Acoustic streaming created by the probe can be directed to an area or region including targeted blood vessels, resulting in increased flow in one or more retinal veins and facilitating or effecting mechanical dislodging of one or more blood clots in the targets blood vessels. Exemplary embodiments can utilize ultrasonic energy produced at a frequency of approximately 44 MHz to 46 MHz with pulse repetition frequencies of approximately 100 Hz to 100 kHz.
44 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic needle transducer system comprising:
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an ultrasonic needle transducer for producing an output of ultrasound energy, the transducer including a piezoelectric material and being configured and arranged for intraocular insertion; a control unit connected to the ultrasound transducer and configured and arranged to control the production of ultrasound energy from the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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11. The system of claim 35 wherein the PMN-PT comprises PMN-33% PT.
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20. A method of performing thrombolysis in a blood vessel, the method comprising:
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inserting an ultrasound transducer into a patient; placing the transducer over or adjacent to blood vessels of the patient; producing ultrasonic energy from the transducer; directing the ultrasonic energy to the retinal vessels; and effecting thrombolysis in one or more blood vessels. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification