Abstract: An emergency method of using localized mechanical percussion for enhancing clearance of potentially life threatening acute thrombotic arterial obstructions blocking blood flow to vital internal organs such as the heart or brain of a patient, employing the application of non-invasive localized low frequency mechanical percussion at a frequency between 1 Hz-1000 Hz and a stroke or displacement amplitude in the range of 0.1-10 mm upon a targeted external body surface deemed generally proximate such acute thrombotic arterial obstruction, whereby the percussion accelerates the emergency clearance of the acute thrombotic arterial obstruction in restoration of blood flow to the vital internal organ. Preferred methods for percussion delivery to the chest wall/upper back or head/neck of a patient are described for use in treatment of heart attack or acute ischemic stroke respectively.

Abstract: Preferred systems for assisting clearance of an acutely thrombosed artery substantially surrounded by boney external body surfaces which are resistant to deformative displacement relative to the thrombosed artery by the application of external percussive force are described. The method consists of applying targeted, localized, non-invasive, high infrasonic to low sonic frequency vibratory percussion with a serial impact frequency much greater than the pulse rate of a patient being treated, the percussion directed towards a remote, preferably superficial “target vessel” residing palpably close to the skin surface. Marked vessel deformations with resultant blood pressure and flow fluctuations are thereby induced by the percussion within the target vessel which propagate to the acutely thrombosed artery to provide localized agitation and turbulence to assist thrombolytic and/or IV microbubble delivery and effectiveness in facilitating reperfusion.

Abstract: A vibrator for use in enhancement of pre-hospital coronary thrombolysis comprising a vibration source operable to generate vibration at a frequency in the range of 1-1000 Hz with at least a pair of oscillatory contacts spaced to enable simultaneous seating to the anatomic left and right of the sternum (such as to match the geometry of the right and left coronary arteries) of a patient in need of coronary thrombolysis. The preferred vibrator is operable to emit vibration in the low frequency sonic range (at least 20 Hz) with an amplitude of about 1 mm-15 mm (and more preferably greater than 2 mm), such as to provide an effective transthoracic tool for acute coronary thrombolysis applications. In a variation, greater than a pair of contacts are utilized to provide oscillatory contact at differing intercostal space levels (in order to maximize vibratory penetration to the heart which is variably situated depending on the patient's anatomy).

Abstract: An emergency system for treatment of a patient (20) experiencing an acute vascular obstruction, employing a non-invasive vibrator (10), optimally in conjunction with drugs, for disrupting and lysing thromboses, relieving spasm (if associated), and thereby restoring blood perfusion. Vibrator (10) is operable in the sonic to infrasonic range, with a source output of up to 15 mm. For acute myocardial infarction cases, a pair of contacts (12), are advantageously placed to bridge the sternum at the fourth intercostal space. Vibration is initiated at 50 Hz (or any frequency, preferably within the 20-120 Hz range), and is ideally adjusted to a maximal amplitude (or force) deemed tolerable and safe to the patient (20), preferably with the administration of thrombolytic agents or other form of drug therapy. A synergistic effect is achieved between vibration and drugs to facilitate the disruption of thromboses, relieve spasm, and restore blood perfusion.