Methods and apparatus for dissolving intracranial blood clots
First Claim
1. A method for dissolving blood clots in a patient'"'"'s intracranial space using ultrasound energy, the method comprising:
- forming at least one hole in the patient'"'"'s skull to access blood clots;
advancing an ultrasound device having a distal portion through the hole;
moving the distal portion to a desired location within the intracranial space;
transmitting ultrasound energy at frequencies between 10 KHz and 20 MHz from the ultrasound device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for dissolving blood clots in a patient'"'"'s intracranial space using ultrasound energy involves forming at least one hole in the patient'"'"'s skull, advancing at least one ultrasound delivery device through the hole, and transmitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound delivery device into blood clots. According to various embodiments, ultrasound delivery devices may be advanced into the epidural space, one or both ventricles and/or an intracerebral space of the patient'"'"'s brain. Also, one or more pharmacologic agent maybe delivered to the patient intracranial space to further facilitate clot dissolving therapy. Intracranial ultrasound delivery may be used to dissolve intracranial blood clots in relation to ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, head trauma, atherosclerosis, perfusion disorders and other acute or chronic neurological conditions.
86 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for dissolving blood clots in a patient'"'"'s intracranial space using ultrasound energy, the method comprising:
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forming at least one hole in the patient'"'"'s skull to access blood clots; advancing an ultrasound device having a distal portion through the hole; moving the distal portion to a desired location within the intracranial space; transmitting ultrasound energy at frequencies between 10 KHz and 20 MHz from the ultrasound device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. A method for dissolving blood clots in patient'"'"'s intracranial space, comprising the step of advancing an ultrasound device to a blood clot through the hole in the head and operating at frequencies between 10 KHz and 20 MHz.
Specification