Development of a method to prevent recurrence of cerebral infarction with noninvasive ultrasound

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12679
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90130:Medical systems-related
• Research Institution: Toin University of Yokohama
• Principal Investigator: SAWAGUCHI Yoshikazu 桐蔭横浜大学, 医用工学部, 講師 (20735477)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山本 博之 日本薬科大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (10433210)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 血栓 / 超音波 / 血管閉塞予防

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the molecular biological differences between thrombi exposed to ultrasound and thrombi not exposed to ultrasound, in order to elucidate the mechanism by which ultrasound inhibits thrombus formation. As a result, we found that fibrin is affected by the irradiation of ultrasonic waves, and we have deduced the factors that can have such an effect on fibrin.
In a study using rabbits, it was verified whether or not thrombus formation could be suppressed by ultrasound, and it was found that thrombus formation could be significantly suppressed simply by irradiating ultrasound.

Free Research Field

医用工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、超音波による血栓形成抑制メカニズムの一端を解明することができたものの、起こりうる副作用や新たな治療法の開発に役立てるために、さらに詳細なメカニズムについて検討していく必要がある。
一方で、非侵襲的な超音波を照射するだけで、ウサギに発生する血栓の形成を抑制できることが明らかとなった。これは、これまでの実験的な血栓に対する抑制効果ではなく、生体内の血栓をも超音波が抑制する可能性を示すものであり、血管閉塞性疾患をもつすべての患者へ応用が期待される。