Extracorporeal ultrasonic medical device

Abstract

Ultrasonic devices for preventing microbubbles and/or microparticles from reaching the brain during a PCI or cardiovascular surgery. Devices 27 and 77 are designed for implantation in the chest cavity and operate in combination with needle vents or other vent systems for removing diverted microbubbles. Systems 77 and 83 are designed for noninvasive employment. Devices 57 and 87 are particularly designed to prevent microbubbles from reaching the great origins of the carotid arteries and/or for diverting bubbles that might reach the vicinity and otherwise pass through. Improved devices 11 and 94 separate microbubbles from a flowing bloodstream and produce a cleansed stream.

1 . A medical treatment device for removing microbubbles and/or microparticles from a patient's bloodstream, which device comprises
 a transducer means for association with the exterior surface of the posterior side of the aorta in the general region of the transverse sinus,   means for powering said transducer means to generate ultrasonic waves that are directed toward the anterior side of the aorta,   sidestream-removal means for insertion into the anterior side of the aorta downstream of the transverse sinus, and   means for removing blood and microbubbles and/or microparticles through said sidestream-removal means.   
   
   
       2 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 1  wherein means is provided for holding said transducer means in physical contact with the exterior surface of the aorta. 
   
   
       3 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 2  wherein said holder means includes a spring-like support that fits more than  180 ° about the aorta. 
   
   
       4 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 3  wherein expandable balloon means is located so as to lie between said support and said transducer means to hold said transducer means firmly against the exterior surface of the aorta. 
   
   
       5 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 1  wherein said sidestream-removal means is formed integrally with an arterial-line cannula for returning blood from a heart-lung machine to the aorta downstream of the aortic valve so as to constitute a double-lumen cannula. 
   
   
       6 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 5  wherein said double-lumen cannula has a main passageway through which incoming blood exits downstream and a smaller lumen passageway having an opening which faces directly upstream. 
   
   
       7 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 1  wherein said transducer means includes a plurality of piezo crystals. 
   
   
       8 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 7  wherein said plurality of crystals provide high frequency sound waves. 
   
   
       9 . The medical treatment device according to  claim 7  wherein said plurality of crystals provide ultrasound of low and high frequencies.