An estimated two million people a year are affected by arterial and venous thrombosis. Treatment with thrombolytic drugs is effective, but current procedures are only successful in dissolving thrombi in 70% to 80% of the patients. EKOS has developed an ultrasound catheter device and demonstrated an enhanced thrombolytic effect in-vitro and in vivo. The ultrasound transducer design and the associated acoustic parameters have been improved and early in vivo results indicate that ultrasound facilitated thrombolysis is as effective or better than the current standard-of-care pulse-spray type of devices for delivery of thrombolytic agents.
The specific aims are: 1. Continue study of acoustic mechanisms. Specific tasks include: 1) study the role of microbubbles in enhancing thrombolysis with ultrasound; 2) examine the effect of various source pulsing conditions; and 3) develop an in-vitro blood clot model which simulates flow conditions in a partially occluded blood vessel. 2. In an animal model that simulates arterial thrombus occlusion, compare the safety and efficacy of the ultrasound infusion catheter with a conventional intravascular pulse-spray type infusion catheter. 3. Conduct a 10-patient pilot trial of peripheral arterial thrombolysis using the EKOS device and use the results to plan and initiate a prospective, multi-center study of 40 patients.

Proposed Commercial Applications

NOT AVAILABLE

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44HL057739-02
Application #
2647453
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG7-SSS-X (86))
Project Start
1998-06-01
Project End
2000-05-31
Budget Start
1998-06-01
Budget End
1999-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Ekos Corporation
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Bothell
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98011