Method and apparatus for treatment of intracranial hemorrhages

Abstract

An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and/or fluid evacuation, and ultrasound radiating elements is used for the delivery of therapeutic compounds to a target location. After the catheter is inserted into a cavity, a therapeutic compound can be delivered to the target location via selective activation of the ultrasound radiating elements. Selective activation of the ultrasound radiating elements can be used to cause fluid flow in a direction proximal and/or distal the catheter. Moreover, selective activating can be used to maintain fluid between certain of the ultrasound radiating elements.

1 . A method of delivering compounds to a target region, comprising the steps of:
 advancing an ultrasound catheter to the target region, the ultrasound catheter comprising two or more ultrasound radiating elements and a first passage, wherein the two or more ultrasound radiating elements are spaced apart longitudinally along the ultrasound catheter;   introducing a first therapeutic compound to the target location via the first passage; and   sequentially activating the two or more ultrasound radiating elements such that the first therapeutic compound is directed to a first target area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sequentially activating the two or more ultrasound radiating elements comprises alternately activating adjacent ultrasound radiating elements such that at least a portion of the fluid proximate a proximal-most ultrasound radiating element flows distal the activated ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sequentially activating the two or more ultrasound radiating elements comprises alternately activating adjacent ultrasound radiating elements such that at least a portion of the fluid proximate a distal-most radiating element flows proximal the activated ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of sequentially activating the two or more ultrasound radiating elements comprises simultaneously activating two or more ultrasound radiating elements such that at least a portion of the fluid remains between the activated ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step of introducing a first therapeutic compound into the target region comprises activating a first pump in fluid communication with the first passage. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising synchronizing the activation of the two or more ultrasound radiating elements with the activation of the first pump such that the first therapeutic compound is directed to the first target area 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound catheter further comprises a second passage. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising draining fluid from the cavity through the second passage. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising introducing a second therapeutic compound into the cavity via the second passage and sequentially activating the two or more ultrasound radiating elements such that the second therapeutic compound is directed to a second target area. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising increasing the permeability of the target region using at least one of the first and second ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for delivering drugs to a target region, the apparatus comprising:
 an ultrasound catheter comprising:
 a tubular body comprising a first lumen; 
 two or more ultrasound radiating elements spaced apart longitudinally along the tubular body; and 
 a first passage in fluid communication with the lumen; and 
   a processing unit, the processing unit configured to selectively activate ultrasound radiating elements to control the flow of a fluid surrounding the ultrasound catheter.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the lumen, the pump configured to pump a first therapeutic compound through the lumen and out of the first passage. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a second passage in fluid communication with a second lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a second pump in fluid communication with the second lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processing unit is configured to alternately activate adjacent ultrasound radiating elements such that at least a portion of the fluid proximate a proximal-most ultrasound radiating element flows distal the activated ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processing unit is configured to alternately activate adjacent ultrasound radiating elements such that at least a portion of the fluid proximate a distal-most radiating element flows proximal the activated ultrasound radiating elements. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processing unit is configured to simultaneously activate two or more ultrasound radiating elements such that at least a portion of the fluid remains between the activated ultrasound radiating elements.