Method of using a combination imaging and therapy transducer to dissolve blood clots

A method for treating a patient comprising:

• providing an ultrasound system coupled to an ultrasound transducer probe, the ultrasound system having an ultrasound signal path operable to output electrical signals and to receive electrical signals indicative of ultrasound reflections from a region of interest and to process the received electrical signals, a display coupled to the ultrasound signal path to provide an image corresponding to the electrical signals received and processed by the ultrasound signal path, and a therapy transmitter operable to output electrical signals, the ultrasound transducer having a linear array of imaging transducer elements coupled to the ultrasound signal path and a linear array of therapy transducer elements on each side of the linear array of imaging transducer elements, the therapy transducer elements being coupled to the therapy transmitter;
• administering contrast agent microbubbles to the patient;
• using the ultrasound signal path, the imaging transducer elements and the display to locate a treatment site in a blood vessel where a blood clot is located in the patient who has received an infusion of contrast agent microbubbles;
• using the therapy transmitter and the therapy transducer elements to periodically couple therapeutic ultrasound to the treatment site to fracture the contrast agent microbubbles in the treatment site, including the contrast agent to microbubbles adjacent the clot;
• periodically using the ultrasound signal path, the imaging transducer elements and the display to image the treatment site to determine when the contrast agent microbubbles have been substantially fractured, periods when the ultrasound signal path, the imaging transducer elements and the display are used to image the treatment site alternating with periods when the therapy transmitter and the therapy transducer elements are used to provide therapy to the treatment site;
• and
• terminating the use of the transmitter and the therapy transducer elements to provide the therapy to the treatment site responsive to detecting substantial fracturing of the contrast agent microbubbles at the treatment site.