# Integrated Dual-frequency Ultrasound Catheter for Accelerated Sonothrombolysis (iDUCAS)

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH · 2024 · $625,257

## Abstract

Abstract
The objective of this renewal project is to advance the forward viewing catheter-directed microbubble-enhanced
sonothrombolysis (FV-CAMUS) technique to the integrated dual-frequency catheter-accelerated
sonothrombolysis system (iDUCAS) for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that affects two million
Americans every year. Current DVT treatment techniques including systemic administration of thrombolytic drugs
and mechanical thrombectomy are challenged with major limitations such as long treatment procedures (> 16
hours) and safety concerns including extensive bleeding and vessel wall damage. In the prior project period, our
team demonstrated a novel FV-CAMUS technology to treat DVT with fast lysis and with reduced off-target effects
using cavitation agents. Despite our significant advancements in FV-CAMUS based sonothrombolysis, the
clinical translation challenges remain in treatment of long (> 2 cm) retracted clots because of the lack of image
guided catheter motion control and the relatively low cavitation efficiency of phase-change nanodroplets. Thus,
in this renewal, we propose to develop the iDUCAS system by integrating intravascular imaging into a dual-
frequency ultrasound catheter, integrating motorized catheter advancement with feedback, and improving low-
power catheter-driven thrombolysis by combining microbubbles with nanodroplets. In Aim 1, an IVUS imaging
integrated iDUCAS system will be developed consisting of a dual lumen 6-French (2 mm) catheter integrated
with a dual frequency (500 kHz and 30 MHz) imaging-therapy transducer and a liquid injection conduit (contrast
agents and thrombolytic agent), the automated catheter motion control, and IVUS imaging and therapy control
units. In Aim 2, optimal nanodroplet-microbubble mixture formulation will be evaluated for use with iDUCAS
system. In Aim 3, thrombolysis efficacy and safety via in-vitro and ex-vivo tests using the iDUCAS system will
be validated, and the associated in-vitro and ex-vivo sonothrombolysis parameters will be optimized. In Aim 4,
thrombolysis efficacy and the safety of the iDUCAS system combined with low dose of thrombolytic agent will
be evaluated in the in-vivo swine DVT model with clots of different ages. We expect that the proposed iDUCAS
technology will provide a new tool enabling effective and safe treatment of DVT and other venous and arterial
thrombosis diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10890975
- **Project number:** 2R01HL141967-05A1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Xiaoning Jiang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $625,257
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-08-15 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10890975

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10890975, Integrated Dual-frequency Ultrasound Catheter for Accelerated Sonothrombolysis (iDUCAS) (2R01HL141967-05A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10890975. Licensed CC0.

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