SONOLYSIS

Sonolysis is the term used to describe the application of ultrasound energy to mechanically disrupt or lyse blood clots in the vasculature. Whereas there are currently no FDA approved sonolysis devices being commercially marketed, this technology has been gaining increased attention within the vascular community in recent years based on a number of academic and industry sponsored studies. It has been demonstrated that the acoustic energy from the ultrasound when directed at the site of a blood clot produces a radiation force that creates a "streaming" effect at the site of the clot. This streaming effect enhances the penetration of endogenous or exogenous lytics into the clot itself, thus accelerating the clot lysis process resulting in greater restoration of blood flow over conventional stroke therapies. Studies have shown that intravenous administration of Cerevast microspheres have an additive effect to the sonolysis process.