Tuesday, September 9, 2008
EKOS MicroSonic Accelerated Thrombolysis System
Filed under: Vascular Surgery
Responding to a recently released American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy (.pdf), EKOS® Corporation from Bothell, WA decided to tout in a press release the company's device, EKOS MicroSonic™ Accelerated Thrombolysis (MSAT) system. MSAT is designed for endovascular dissolution of arterial occlusions and DVT thrombi via the company's proprietary targeted drug delivery catheters that also emit ultrasound energy. EKOS's device has been FDA-cleared for controlled and selective infusion of meds, including thrombolytic, into the peripheral vasculature. It is currently used to treat patients with peripheral arterial occlusions (PAO) and DVTs, but not ones who have pulmonary embolism.
The company explains its technology:
EKOS® has developed a proprietary catheter-based drug delivery system that combines the use of targeted drug delivery catheters and the therapeutic benefits of a high frequency low power microsonic energy.Without microsonic energy, the fabric of a blood clot, called fibrin, is tightly bound (figure 1). The microsonic energy helps temporarily loosen and separate the fibrin (figure 2) for more blood clot permeability. Loosened fibrins increases the availability of more plasminogen activation receptor sites (figure 3). At the same time, the microsonic energy helps drive the thrombolytic agents deep into the blood clot to accelerate the thrombolysis, and ultimately dissolve the clot.
Dual action of the EKOS® microsonic energy enhanced delivery systems provides the following advantages:
Microsonic energy thins the fibrins making the thrombus more permeable to the thrombolytic drug.
Drives thrombolytic drugs into the loosened clot.
No reported fragmentated emboli often associated with more aggressive mechanical techniques.
No reported hemolysis, a complication often associated with mechanical devices.
Reduces fluoroscopy time.
Minimizes need for attention from hospital staff because the system self regulates and optimizes the power of the microsonic energy delivered. In Laboratory in vitro testing, the EkoSonic system dissolved thrombus twice as fast as earlier EKOS systems - and four times faster than conventional catheter - directed thrombolysis. With no evidence of thrombus breakage. And no hemolysis.
The EkoSonic™ Endovascular System is intended for the controlled and selective infusion of physician – specified fluids including thrombolytics, into the peripheral vasculature.
Press release: Chest Surgeons Suggest Early Intervention For Treatment Of Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis...
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