Brain Clot Revolution, Vortex Ultrasound Tornado in Brain Health

Revolutionary Ultrasound Tornado Breaks Down Brain Blood Clots Faster

Researchers have introduced a groundbreaking tool that harnesses the power of “vortex ultrasound,” a unique form of ultrasonic energy resembling a tornado, to swiftly and effectively dismantle blood clots in the brain. This innovative approach, spearheaded by Xiaoning Jiang, the Dean F. Duncan Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University, and Chengzhi Shi, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech, showcases remarkable efficiency in clot elimination when compared to existing methods.

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Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a condition arising from blood clots in the veins responsible for draining blood from the brain, has been a challenging medical concern. In recent years, the incidence rates of CVST have seen an increase, reaching between 2 and 3 cases per 100,000 in the United States in 2018 and 2019.

The key to the success of this new tool lies in its utilization of vortex ultrasound, a technique where ultrasonic waves adopt a helical wavefront, creating a swirling motion as they move forward. This distinct motion induces shear stress, enhancing the efficiency of clot breakdown. In vitro testing simulating CVST using a 3D-printed model of the cerebral venous sinus and cow blood demonstrated a remarkable reduction in clot dissolution time. In contrast to pharmaceutical interventions, which typically take at least 15 hours and average around 29 hours, the vortex ultrasound method achieved clot dissolution in well under half an hour during the testing phase.

The significance of this accelerated clot elimination cannot be overstated, especially in cases of CVST where clots increase pressure on blood vessels in the brain. This heightened pressure escalates the risk of a potentially catastrophic brain hemorrhage. Existing treatments often rely on interventions that dissolve blood clots, but the time-consuming nature of these processes poses risks to patients. The vortex ultrasound approach, with its swift action, holds the potential to reduce these risks significantly.

Moreover, beyond the aspect of speed, the researchers emphasize the broader impact of their work. Current treatments for CVST fail in 20-40% of cases, highlighting the urgent need for alternative and more effective approaches.

The newly developed tool is not only innovative in its technique but also in its design. A single transducer, specifically engineered to produce the swirling vortex effect, constitutes the core of the tool. This transducer, small enough to be integrated into a catheter, can be navigated through the circulatory system to reach the precise site of the blood clot.

Addressing concerns about potential harm during catheterization, the researchers conducted experiments applying vortex ultrasound to animal blood vein samples. Encouragingly, these tests revealed no damage to the walls of the blood vessels. Additionally, assessments on red blood cells demonstrated minimal disruption, indicating the safety of the approach.

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to progress from in vitro testing to using an animal model to further establish the viability of this technique for CVST treatment. If successful, clinical trials will follow, marking a significant step toward making this innovative approach available for real-world applications.

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Importantly, Chengzhi Shi notes that if the vortex ultrasound becomes a clinical application, it is likely to be comparable in cost to other interventions used to treat CVST. This affordability factor, coupled with its demonstrated efficiency and safety, positions the ultrasound tornado technique as a promising avenue for addressing a critical medical challenge