Method of lysing thrombi

• US 5,399,158 A
• Filed: 01/27/1993
• Issued: 03/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Alving, Barbara, Lauer, Carl G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rafa, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/009,599
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/49, 604/52, 604/53, 128/24 AA, 128/898, 606/169-171, 601/2
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22084 stone- or thrombus-dissolving

Abstract

This invention relates to the prevention and treatment of thrombi using pminogen activators, including t-PA, urokinases, and streptokinases, in conjunction with intermittent (pulsed mode) ultrasound. A preferred modality interposes liquid-containing interface between the skin of the patient and the transducer of the ultrasound generator.

Claims

1. A non-invasive method of lysing thrombi comprising the steps of:

1) adminstering a plasminogen activating effective amount of at least one plasminogen activating factor to a patient suffering from thrombosis;

2) placing aganist a body surface of said patient which is near said thrombus a liquid-containing structure or a material to form an interface aganist which the contact surface of the transducer of an ultrasound generator is placed; and

3) adminstering intermittent (pluse mode) ultrasound at a thrombus lysing effective frequency and power such that said frequency and power are acoustic streaming-inducing and non-cavitational.

2. A method of claim 1 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a t-PA.

3. A method of claim 1 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a streptokinase.

4. A method of claim 1 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a urokinase.

5. A method of claim 1 wherein the frequency is 0.1 to 3MHz and the power range is 0.5-3 watts/cm².

6. A non-invasive method of preventing formation of thrombi comprising the steps of:

1) administering a plasminogen activating effective amount of at least one plasminogen activating factor to a mammal;

2) placing aganist a body surface of said mammal which is near an area likely to develop a thrombus a liquid-containing structure or a material to form an interface aganist which the contact surface of an ultrasound generator transducer is placed; and

3) administering intermittent (pulse mode) ultrasound at a thrombus lysing effective frequency and power such that said frequency and power are acoustic streaming-inducing and non-cavitational.

7. A method of claim 6 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a t-PA.

8. A method of claim 6 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a streptokinase.

9. A method of claim 6 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a urokinase.

10. A method of claim 6 wherein the frequency is 0.1 to 3MHz and the power range is 0.5-3 watts/cm².

11. A non-invasive method of lysing thrombi comprising the steps of:

1) administering a plasminogen activating effective amount of at least one plasminogen activating factor to a patient suffering from thrombosis;

2) placing aganist a body surface of said patient which is near said thrombus a contact surface of an ultrasound generator transducer and

3) administering intermittent (pulse mode) ultrasound at a thrombus lysing effective frequency and power such that said frequency and power are acoustic streaming-inducing and non-cavitational.

12. A method of claim 11 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a t-PA.

13. A method of claim 11 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a streptokinase.

14. A method of claim 11 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a urokinase.

15. A method of claim 11 wherein the frequency is 0.1 to 3MHz and the power range is 0.5-3 watts/cm².

16. A non-invasive method of preventing formation of thrombi comprising the steps of:

1) administering a plasminogen activating effective amount of at least one plasminogen activating factor to a mammal;

2) placing aganist surface of mammal which is near said the area likely to develop a thrombus a contact surface of an ultrasound generator transducer; and

3) administering intermittent (pulse mode) ultrasound at a thrombus lysing effective frequency and power such that said frequency and power are acoustic streaming-inducing and non-cavitational.

17. A method of claim 16 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a t-PA.

18. A method of claim 16 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a streptokinase.

19. A method of claim 16 wherein the plasminogen activating agent is a urokinase.

20. A method of claim 16 wherein the frequency is 0.1 to 3MHz and the power range is 0.5-3 watts/cm².