ULTRASOUND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUGMENTED CLOT LYSIS

摘要

An apparatus and method for using ultrasound augmented with microbubbles, thrombolytic drugs or other agents for clot lysis wherein at least one ultrasound transducer (20) generates a plurality of acoustic signals and time, amplitude, phase and frequency modulation of the signals to provide more uniform power delivery with fewer gaps in the ultrasound field. Interference patterns from one or multiple transducers (12, 13, 14, 16, 20) are constantly shifted in position. A phased array (30) of transducers (31) may generate a directed beam that is swept over an area or directed to a specific location. In another embodiment, an array of transducers (12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 30) may generate ultrasound at a number of slightly varying frequencies to produce an interference pattern that sweeps in and out through the targeted tissue. A single array may be used to produce both effects simultaneously or separately.