Method and appratus for treatment of intracranial hemorrhages

Abstract

An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.

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         10 . 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 hole 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.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , 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 hole. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a second hole in fluid communication with a second lumen. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a second pump in fluid communication with the second lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , 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.