Integration of Forward-viewing and Side-viewing Ultrasound Transducers in an Intravascular Sonothrombolysis Catheter

Thrombosis has emerged as one of the primary factors in mortality rates across the world. Conventional thrombolysis treatments for the rapid dissolution or extraction of massive thrombus, including fibrinolytic therapy and surgical thrombectomy, are time-consuming and may induce risks such as bleeding and vessel wall damage. Here we report a novel intravascular sonothrombolysis device with both forward-viewing and side-viewing elements. The developed FSV transducer prototype has a resonance frequency at 520 kHz and peak negative pressure (PNP) at 4.9 MPa (forward-viewing) and 3.2 MPa (side-viewing) under the driving voltage of 80 V pp. The combination of forward and side-viewing (FSV) ultrasound waves is expected to extend the treatment region and improve thrombolysis efficiency compared to a forward or side-viewing alone sonication.