Ultrasound Drill to Targets Deep Vein Blood Clots (IMAGE)
Caption
Researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new surgical tool that uses low-frequency intravascular ultrasound to break down blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis. The tool is the first ultrasound 'drill' that can be aimed straight ahead, allowing doctors to better target clots - which holds promise for significantly reducing treatment time. The tool also incorporates an injection tube that allows users to inject microbubbles at the site of the clot, making the ultrasound waves more effective at breaking down the clot. To date, the technology has been tested only in synthetic blood vessels.
Credit
Jinwook Kim
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