Stroke is defined as the acute brain injury resulting from compromised cerebral blood flow or rupture of cerebral blood vessel. Cerebral thromboembolic event occurs when blood clots occlude a branch of the cerebral arteries. When it is not treated in a timely fashion, stroke can cause permanent neurological impairments and death.

The current method of reestablishing blood flow in the blocked arteries involves the use of either systemic or local intra-arterial fibrinolytic therapy. Although there are many reports of successful recanalizations, these methods are not ideal.

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method of treating stroke using ultrasonic energy. There are several advantages of this method over conventional fibrinolytic therapy: (1) ultrasound can recanalize arteries much quicker that fibrinolytic therapy, (2) ultrasound does not cause bleeding complications, and (3) ultrasound can be more economical that fibrinolytic therapy in itself and in overall hospital costs.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 1995-593

US Patent Number: 6,024,718