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Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed an ultrasound "drill" that uses low-frequency intravascular ultrasound to break up blood clots that cause blood clots in deep veins to form. It reaches the target longitudinally, allowing doctors to better target the blood clot, which can significantly reduce treatment time. Currently, the technology has been tested in artificial blood vessels. The findings were published in the Nature sub-journal "Scientific Reports".

Existing intravascular ultrasound tools used to remove blood clots emit transverse ultrasound, which makes it difficult to target the clot, and transverse means the ultrasound can also damage surrounding blood vessels. However, ultrasound breaks the clot into small pieces, and the doctor does not need to use large doses of blood thinners to dissolve the pieces of the blood clot. Another technique uses a diamond-tipped drill that effectively penetrates the blood clot to break it up, which is obviously more targeted, with less risk to blood vessels from ultrasonic cell disruption. However, this technique can only break up blood clots into larger pieces, requiring higher doses of blood-thinning drugs, which can also pose risks. The new ultrasound tool acts anteriorly, like a drill, but can still break up blood clots into very fine particles, the method improves precision and does not rely on high doses of blood thinners, which may reduce risk across the board . The tool also integrates a jet tube, which allows the user to inject microbubbles at the site of the clot, making the ultrasound more effective at breaking up the clot.

The researchers tested it with a prototype device that used synthetic blood vessels as well as bovine blood. The researchers found that 90% of the clot could be dissolved in 3.5-4 hours without the use of any blood thinners. This compares to 10 hours for a combination of conventional ultrasound tools and blood thinners.

The feasibility of in vitro experiments has given researchers greater confidence that they are securing funding to advance the process of testing in animal models. The researchers have patented the technology and are interested in working with industry partners to develop the device.