Ultrasound and Microbubbles in Ocular Diagnostics and Therapies
First Claim
1. A method of treating blood vessel blockage, comprising:
- applying ultrasound energy to locate one or more areas of blockage within one or more blood vessels;
directing microbubbles to an area of blockage; and
breaking up clots that are causing damage within the one or more areas of blockage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure described methods, systems, and techniques for applying contrast-enhanced ultrasound to locate areas of blockage within retinal vessels and to break up clots that are causing damage. In addition to identifying the damaged area, the researchers anticipate that the initial image may serve as a baseline for monitoring the effect of treatment on the vessel, which may be achieved in multiple ways. The vibration effect of the ultrasound itself may suffice to dislodge clots. The microbubbles may also be coated or filled with medication, with ultrasonic shock waves activating the coating or causing mini explosions to release the medicine. Loading the microbubbles with a therapeutic agent, visualizing their presence at the diseased site using the ultrasound diagnostic mode, and then activating the microbubbles to release their contents at the targeted lesion could be a powerful and effective way to reverse occlusion without harming other areas of the eye or body.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of treating blood vessel blockage, comprising:
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applying ultrasound energy to locate one or more areas of blockage within one or more blood vessels; directing microbubbles to an area of blockage; and breaking up clots that are causing damage within the one or more areas of blockage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for treating blood vessel blockage, the system comprising:
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a source of ultrasound energy; a probe coupled to the source and configured and arranged to direct ultrasound energy to a desired location; and one or more microbubbles, configured and arranged to receive the ultrasound energy, wherein the microbubbles are configured and arranged to contain a desired substance and to burst upon receiving the ultrasound energy, releasing the desired substance in the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method for the delivery of a drug to a tumor, comprising:
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using an ultrasound system configured and arranged to produce an ultrasound output; and supplying ultrasound contrast agents configured and arranged as microbubbles to a tumor wherein the microbubbles are loaded with chemotherapeutic drug that is active against the tumor, and wherein the ultrasound is used to localize the tumor and activate the microbubbles within the tumor to visualize and activate the release of drug within the tumor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification