Figure 1
Without
Ultrasonic Energy
When a clot forms,
plasminogen receptor sites are
embedded deep into the fibrin. For
the clot to be dissolved, lytic
agents must be able to access those
receptor sites. But the tightly
wound fibrin strands prevent the
drug from penetrating, limiting
access to receptor sites on the
interior of the clot. |
|
Figure 2
With Ultrasonic Energy
The EKOS endovascular
device is placed directly into the
thrombus, where micro-transducers
transmit high frequency, low power
sound waves. The ultrasonic energy
causes the fibrin strands to thin,
exposing plasminogen receptor sites.
That makes the thrombus more
permeable and allows the lytic to
penetrate deeper. |
|
Figure 3
With Ultrasonic
Energy And Thrombolytic
The EKOS drug delivery
catheters deliver the lytic drug,
while the non-cavitational
ultrasound energy gently perfuses
the drug deep into the clot,
limiting the amount that escapes
downstream. In vitro studies
confirm that thrombus exposed to
ultrasound absorbed 48% more t-PA in
one hour, and 84% more in two hours,
than thrombus not exposed.1 |
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