| abstract |
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which utilizes one or more transducer arrays (10a, 10b) affixed to the head of a patient to diagnose and treat stroke victims. The transducer headset (200) produces a two or three dimensional image of the vasculature (300) inside the cranium, preferably assisted by a microbubble contrast agent. A vascular flow map is produced by the system which may be diagnosed for signs of a blood clot. If a blood clot is detected, a therapeutic beam is transmitted while the contrast agent is present to break up the blood clot by the disruption of microbubbles. The headset may also be used in a monitoring application to detect the recurrence of blood clots in a stroke victim. |