Ultrasound catheter

1 . A fluid infusion system comprising:

a flexible elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and a fluid transport lumen extending therethrough;

a fluid source having a connector for coupling to the proximal end to provide fluid to the fluid transport lumen;

an ultrasound energy source delivering ultrasound energy to the fluid to reduce a viscosity of the fluid; and

a waveguide directing the ultrasound energy to a desired region of the fluid.

2 . The fluid infusion system according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide directs the ultrasound energy to the fluid source.

3 . The fluid infusion system according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is a hand operated syringe.

4 . The fluid infusion system according to claim 3 , wherein the waveguide extends into the syringe.

5 . The fluid infusion system according to claim 4 , wherein a position of a distal end of the waveguide within the syringe is variable by a user of the system.

6 . The fluid transport system according to claim 3 , wherein a distal end of the waveguide extends to between about 0.5 cm and 5.0 cm of a distal end of a fluid chamber of the syringe.

7 . The fluid transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy source is disposed in a hub coupled to the flexible elongate body.

8 . The fluid transport system according to claim 1 , further comprising a PASV mounted within the fluid transport lumen, the ultrasound energy source being located adjacent the PASV.

9 . The fluid transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy source comprises one of a mechanical ultrasound generator, an electro-mechanical ultrasound generator and a piezoelectric element.

10 . The fluid transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy source comprises at least two ultrasound generators operating at different frequencies.

11 . The fluid transport system according to claim 10 , wherein the at least two ultrasound generators are disposed at substantially opposite ends of the fluid source.

12 . The fluid transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy source operates at between about 5 KHz and about 40 KHz.

13 . The fluid transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound energy source operates at a power of between about 15 W and about 25 W.

14 . A method of infusing fluids to a body comprising:

introducing a fluid delivery lumen to a desired location within the body; and

delivering ultrasound energy to a fluid to be supplied to the lumen to reduce a viscosity of the fluid.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , further comprising coupling to a source of the ultrasound energy a waveguide operatively directing the ultrasound energy to a desired region of the fluid.

16 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the fluid is introduced to the fluid delivery lumen via a hand operated syringe.

17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the waveguide directs the ultrasound energy to a source of the fluid before it enters the fluid delivery lumen.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the waveguide extends into the fluid source.

19 . The method according to claim 14 , further comprising providing ultrasound energy comprises two ultrasound generators operating at difference frequencies.

20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising a battery integral with a coupling between the fluid transport lumen and a source of the fluid.

21 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein a source of ultrasound energy operates at a frequency of between about 5 KHz and about 40 KHz.

22 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein a source of ultrasound energy operates at a power level of between about 15 W and 25 W.