| abstract |
Clot disruption and dissolution are achieved using a catheter (12) having both an agitator (30) and the ability to deliver a thrombolytic agent. The catheter (12) is introduced to a target region with a blood vessel and the agitator (30) manipulated to engage and disrupt a region of clot therein. The thrombolytic agent, such as tPA, streptokinase, or urokinase, is directly released into the clot at the point where the agitator (30) is engaging the clot. In this way, the thrombolytic activity of the agent is enhanced and the dissolution of the clot is improved. |