NON-INVASIVE INTRAVASCULAR THROMBOLYISIS USING MODIFIED ULTRASOUND TECHNIQUES

摘要

A non-invasive method for disrupting a blood clot within the vasculature of a patient using new ultrasound techniques is provided. Lipid vesicles containing a gas or gaseous precursor are administered intravascularly to the patient and ultrasound having a power greater than about 0.5 Watts/cm2 to about 20 Watts/cm2 for about 10% to about 80% of the duty cycle is applied to the patient for a period of time sufficient to induce rupture of the vesicles adjacent to the site of the blood clot, thereby disrupting the blood clot. Administration of thrombolytic biological agents is not required. Optionally, progress of clot disruption can be monitored using magnetic resonance imaging.