OCT imaging catheter and OCT imaging system

Abstract

This invention discloses an OCT imaging catheter and an OCT imaging system. The OCT imaging catheter of this invention includes an external protective assembly and an imaging assembly housed within the external protective assembly. The external protective assembly includes: a protective tube, a connector disposed at one end of the protective tube, a transparent balloon sleeved at the other end of the protective tube, and an inflation tube for inflating the transparent balloon. The imaging assembly includes: a light-transmitting unit and a magnetically controlled imaging unit, both housed within the protective tube. The combined position of the light-transmitting unit and the magnetically controlled imaging unit corresponds to the position of the transparent balloon. The magnetically controlled imaging unit can rotate axially within the transparent balloon under the drive of an external magnetic field, completing intravascular imaging of the blood vessel. By incorporating a magnetically controlled imaging unit, the OCT imaging catheter of this invention allows the magnetically controlled imaging unit to rotate under the influence of an external magnetic field, facilitating intravascular imaging of winding, complex, and tortuous vascular environments, while effectively avoiding imaging artifacts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an OCT imaging catheter and an OCT imaging system, belonging to the field of medical device technology. Background Technology

[0002] Intravascular interventional imaging refers to a method of imaging the inside of a diseased blood vessel through a puncture in the femoral artery or other blood vessels, using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) under X-ray fluoroscopy. Currently, the main types of intravascular interventional imaging are OCT and IVUS. Intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used in the coronary artery system because it provides non-invasive, high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of blood vessels (axial resolution approximately 10 μm) to identify vulnerable plaques, assess stent-vessel interactions, and identify marginal dissections.

[0003] The latest intravascular scanning OCT systems mainly consist of the following components: the imaging unit (including the light source, interferometer, balance detector, and other optical components), the rotation and retraction controller, and a disposable intravascular OCT imaging catheter. The OCT imaging catheter, also known as the OCT probe, is a crucial component of the entire OCT imaging system. It is responsible for the transmission and absorption of the light beam from the system to the tissue. The distal optical probe of the catheter focuses the light beam and also vertically redirects it to the long axis of the probe and transmits it to the imaging tissue, primarily affecting the system's lateral resolution. Currently available OCT catheters mainly include a single-mode optical fiber for beam transmission, miniature optical devices for focusing and deflection, and components for rotating and scanning the beam.

[0004] The imaging host controls the imaging probe of the imaging catheter to rotate and retract 360° within the blood vessel to complete the blood vessel scan. At the same time, the imaging host emits near-infrared light through a light source, the interferometer records the reflected light from blood vessels of different thicknesses, and the computer reconstructs the reflected light signal to form an intravascular tomographic image.

[0005] CN112386230A, a Chinese invention patent application for a balloon-based OCT imaging catheter without flushing, provides a technical solution for preparing an OCT imaging catheter using an inner tube, an imaging probe, a tubing, and a transparent balloon. However, this technical solution can only achieve the technical effect of preventing blood from flowing into the contrast fluid without flushing, blocking the reflow of blood into the blood vessel lumen, and reducing the impact of blood on imaging.

[0006] However, existing catheters still present several technical challenges for intravascular imaging:

[0007] The first problem is imaging within tortuous, narrow, and structurally complex blood vessels. Because most current catheters use proximal scanning, which requires wire rotation to transmit torque, uneven rotational distortion occurs during imaging in such environments. Furthermore, they lack the flexibility required for imaging in tortuous conditions, making existing catheters unsuitable for imaging in highly convoluted environments. While the very few OCT catheters that use distal scanning can avoid these drawbacks by placing the motor driving the mirror at the distal end of the catheter, distal scanning designs are more complex, and the catheter diameter is determined by the size of the micromotor. Additionally, the wires used to drive the motor can block light at certain scanning angles, introducing artifacts into the OCT images. Therefore, current catheters have not effectively solved the technical challenges of imaging in tortuous and convoluted vascular environments.

[0008] The second issue is the current problem of catheter eccentricity in OCT imaging. Due to the relatively long access route for establishing the blood vessel, the catheter, after entering the imaging area, is often located off-center from the vessel or even close to the vessel wall. Currently, the highest quality OCT images are found within a circular area of ​​approximately 1mm-2.5mm centered on the catheter; in more distant areas, low resolution, poor contrast, and weakened signal occur. In tortuous and complex vascular imaging environments, the catheter is more likely to be positioned off-center after the access route is established, resulting in poor image quality or even missing images of the contralateral vessel wall, significantly increasing the difficulty of the physician's operation.

[0009] The two main technical issues mentioned above limit the imaging application and image quality of intravascular OCT imaging catheters in situations where the vascular structure is tortuous and complex, thin or narrow, the risk of contrast agent injection is high, or the patient has contraindications to contrast agents.

[0010] In view of this, it is indeed necessary to propose improvements to the existing OCT imaging catheters to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel OCT imaging catheter and an OCT imaging catheter. The OCT imaging catheter is equipped with a magnetically controlled imaging unit, which can rotate under the action of an external magnetic field, making it convenient to achieve intravascular imaging of winding, complex and tortuous vascular environments, while effectively avoiding the occurrence of imaging artifacts.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an OCT imaging catheter, comprising: an external protective assembly and an imaging assembly housed within the external protective assembly; the external protective assembly includes: a protective tube, a connector disposed at one end of the protective tube, a light-transmitting balloon sleeved at the other end of the protective tube, and an inflation tube for inflating the light-transmitting balloon, wherein the protective tube is provided with an air outlet for inflating the light-transmitting balloon; the imaging assembly includes: a light-transmitting unit and a magnetically controlled imaging unit, wherein the light-transmitting unit and the magnetically controlled imaging unit are housed within the protective tube, and the combined position of the light-transmitting unit and the magnetically controlled imaging unit corresponds to the position of the light-transmitting balloon, wherein the magnetically controlled imaging unit can rotate axially within the light-transmitting balloon under the driving action of an external magnetic field to complete intravascular imaging of the blood vessel.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the light transmission unit includes a single-mode optical fiber for transmitting a light beam and a lens for focusing the light beam. The single-mode optical fiber extends through the connector into the light-transmitting sac along the protective tube and is fused with the lens to form a whole.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the magneto-controlled imaging unit includes a beam reflector, a hollow bearing tube for fixing the beam reflector inside the light-transmitting sac, metal counterweight tubes located on both sides of the hollow bearing tube, and a radially magnetized magnetic control unit.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the beam reflector includes a reflective member having an oblique reflective surface and an extension member for connecting the reflective member, the reflective member being close to the light transmission unit and the oblique reflective surface being disposed toward the light transmission unit.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the magnetic control is connected to the end of the extension member away from the reflective member, and the hollow bearing tube and the metal counterweight tube are sleeved on the extension member and located between the reflective member and the magnetic control.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the beam reflector is a coreless optical fiber fused with a hemispherical lens, the end face of the hemispherical lens is coated with a metal reflective film, and the end face of the hemispherical lens is arranged facing the light transmission unit.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the outer peripheral wall of the hollow bearing tube is adhered to the inside of the protective tube; the metal counterweight tubes are respectively disposed on both sides of the hollow bearing tube, and the diameter of the metal counterweight tubes is smaller than the diameter of the hollow bearing tube.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the external protection component further includes a sealing ring disposed inside the protection tube, the sealing ring being located between the connector and the pressurization tube; and the sealing ring being sleeved on the outside of the light transmission unit.

[0020] As a further improvement of the present invention, the outer surface of the protective tube is coated with a hydrophilic coating.

[0021] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention also provides an OCT imaging system, including an imaging host, an OCT imaging catheter, and a processing module; the OCT imaging catheter is the aforementioned OCT imaging catheter, the imaging host is used to provide a ring magnetic field to drive the magnetically controlled imaging unit in the OCT imaging catheter to rotate axially, and the processing module is used to generate control information, calibrate the OCT imaging catheter, and process scan data.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0023] 1. The OCT imaging catheter of the present invention, by setting a light-transmitting balloon and a magnetically controlled imaging unit set in the light-transmitting balloon, allows the magnetically controlled imaging unit to rotate under the action of an external magnetic field to perform light scanning. Compared with the currently commonly used proximal scanning method, it does not require a proximal rotation controller and a rotating wire assembly; it effectively avoids the uneven rotation and twisting phenomenon that occurs in tortuous, meandering and complex environments due to long-distance torque transmission.

[0024] 2. By placing the magnetic control unit in the magnetic imaging unit at the distal end of the OCT imaging catheter, the use of micro motors is avoided, greatly reducing the catheter size to adapt to smaller and finer vascular imaging environments; and since there are no wires inside the catheter to drive the micro motors, wire artifacts are avoided, effectively improving the imaging quality of the OCT imaging system; at the same time, compared with expensive micro motors, the OCT imaging catheter of the present invention is more economical, greatly reducing costs.

[0025] 3. By improving the structure and coordination of the light transmission unit and the magneto-controlled imaging unit in the imaging assembly, the optical transmission structure inside the OCT imaging catheter is effectively simplified; at the same time, the stability of light transmission and the flexibility and passability of the OCT imaging catheter are improved. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the OCT imaging system of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the OCT imaging catheter.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the OCT imaging catheter.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure at the location of the imaging component.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the imaging host.

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the principle of the imaging host. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0034] It should be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention with unnecessary details, only the structures and / or processing steps closely related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to the present invention are omitted.

[0035] Additionally, it should be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0036] Please see Figures 1-4 The figure shows the OCT imaging system 100 of the present invention. The OCT imaging system 100 includes an OCT imaging catheter 1, an imaging host 2, and a processing module 3. The OCT imaging catheter 1 is used to extend into the blood vessel to perform a rotating scan of the beam, and the imaging host 2 is used to cooperate with the OCT imaging catheter 1 to complete the acquisition of scanning data inside the blood vessel. The processing module 3 is used to generate control information, calibrate the OCT imaging catheter 1, and process the scanning data.

[0037] The OCT imaging catheter 1 includes an external protective component 11 and an imaging component 12 housed inside the external protective component 11. Specifically, the imaging component 12 can extend into the blood vessel under the protection of the external protective component 11, so that the imaging component 12 can complete the detection and imaging of the inner wall of the blood vessel.

[0038] In this invention, the external protection component 11 includes: a protection tube 111, a connector 112 disposed at one end of the protection tube 111, a light-transmitting balloon 113 sleeved at the other end of the protection tube 111, and a pressurization tube 114 for pressurizing the light-transmitting balloon 113; specifically, the end of the protection tube 111 away from the connector 112 is closed to prevent blood from entering the protection tube 111; in this invention, the outer surface of the protection tube 111 is coated with a hydrophilic coating to facilitate the insertion of the protection tube 111 into the blood vessel and to make the protection tube 111 have good biocompatibility.

[0039] Connector 112 is used to connect the imaging host 2 and the imaging component 12, and to control the rotation and movement of the imaging component 12. A light-transmitting balloon 113 is fitted onto the end of the protective tube 111 furthest from the connector 112, and both ends of the light-transmitting balloon 113 are sealed to the outer wall of the protective tube 111. An air outlet 115 is formed on the side wall of the protective tube 111 inside the light-transmitting balloon 113, allowing the protective tube 111 and the light-transmitting balloon 113 to communicate through the air outlet 115. Preferably, the light-transmitting balloon 113 is a cylindrical balloon.

[0040] Furthermore, the inflation tube 114 is located at the end of the protective tube 111 away from the translucent balloon 113 for connecting an external pressure pump (not shown), facilitating the external pressure pump to pressurize / depressurize the translucent balloon 113 via the inflation tube 114 along the protective tube 111 and through the air outlet 115; this facilitates the translucent balloon 113 driving the imaging component 12 to extend into / withdraw from the blood vessel; in this invention, the external protective component 11 also includes a sealing ring 116 disposed within the protective tube 111, the sealing ring 116 being located between the connector 112 and the inflation tube 114; and the sealing ring 116 is sleeved on the outside of the imaging component 12 to prevent air filled into the translucent balloon 113 from overflowing along the protective tube; in a preferred embodiment of this invention, a one-way air valve is provided at the end of the inflation tube 114 to further prevent pressurization leakage.

[0041] The imaging assembly 12 includes a light transmission unit 121 and a magneto-controlled imaging unit 122. The light transmission unit 121 and the magneto-controlled imaging unit 122 are housed in a protective tube 111, and the combined position of the light transmission unit 121 and the magneto-controlled imaging unit 122 corresponds to the position of the light-transmitting balloon 113, so as to facilitate the imaging assembly 12 to achieve scanning imaging through the protective tube 111 and the light-transmitting balloon 113.

[0042] The light transmission unit 121 is used to transmit and focus the light beam. Specifically, the light transmission unit 121 includes a single-mode optical fiber 1211 for transmitting the light beam and a lens 1212 for focusing the light beam. The single-mode optical fiber passes through the connector 112 and extends into the light-transmitting sphere 113 along the protective tube 111, and is fused with the lens 1212 to form a whole. Further, a sealing ring 116 is sleeved on the outside of the single-mode optical fiber 1211 and is held in place by the outer peripheral wall of the single-mode optical fiber 1211 and the inner wall of the protective tube 111. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lens 1212 is a spherical lens. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the lens 1212 can also be a gradient refractive index lens (GRIN lens).

[0043] The magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 includes a beam reflector 1221, a hollow bearing tube 1222 for fixing the beam reflector 1221 inside the light-transmitting spherical capsule 113, metal counterweight tubes 1223 located on both sides of the hollow bearing tube 1222, and a radially magnetized magnetic control unit 1224.

[0044] In this invention, the beam reflector 1221 includes a reflective member 1225 with an oblique reflective surface and an extension member 1226 for connecting the reflective member 1225. The reflective member 1225 is close to the light transmission unit 121, and the oblique reflective surface is disposed facing the lens 1212. Furthermore, a magnetic control 1224 is connected to the end of the extension member 1226 away from the reflective member 1225, and a hollow bearing tube 1222 and a metal counterweight tube 1223 are sleeved on the extension member 1226 and located between the reflective member 1225 and the magnetic control 1224.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the beam reflector 1221 is a coreless optical fiber fused with a hemispherical lens, and the end face of the hemispherical lens is coated with a metal reflective film to serve as a reflective surface. Similarly, the end face of the hemispherical lens coated with the metal reflective film is positioned facing the lens 1212.

[0046] The outer peripheral wall of the hollow bearing tube 1222 is adhered to the inside of the protective tube 111. The extension member 1226 passes through the centerline of the extension of the hollow bearing tube 1222, so that the reflective member 1225 connected to the extension member 1226 is positioned at the position corresponding to the protective tube 111 and the light-transmitting spherical bag 113, and the beam reflector 1221 can rotate within the hollow bearing tube 1222 about the extension direction of the extension member 1226. Furthermore, two metal counterweight tubes 1223 are simultaneously provided and are respectively located on both sides of the hollow bearing tube 1222. The diameter of the metal counterweight tube 1223 is smaller than the diameter of the hollow bearing tube 1222. This arrangement can effectively prevent the metal counterweight tube 1223 from interfering with the inner wall of the protective tube 111 when the beam reflector 1221 rotates, thus affecting the rotation imaging of the beam reflector 1221. Furthermore, the metal counterweight tube 1223 is bonded to the outer peripheral wall of the extension member 1226 to further fix the relative positions between the hollow bearing tube 1222, the metal counterweight tube 1223, and the extension member 1226, thereby playing a role in balancing the weight and increasing rigidity.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollow bearing tube 1222 is a plastic hollow bearing tube made of a plastic material with a low coefficient of friction, and the metal counterweight tube 1223 is a stainless steel metal counterweight tube made of stainless steel. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the hollow bearing tube 1222 and the metal counterweight tube 1223 can also be replaced by components with similar materials and the same structure.

[0048] The magnetic control component 1224 is housed within the protective tube 111 and connected to the end of the extension member 1226 away from the reflective member 1225. Specifically, the diameter / width of the magnetic control component 1224 is smaller than the diameter of the protective tube 111, allowing the magnetic control component 1224 to rotate within the protective tube 111, thereby driving the beam reflector 1221, positioned within the hollow bearing tube 1222, to rotate axially. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic control component 1224 is a radially magnetized permanent magnet. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, the magnetic control component 1224 can also be a magnetic component of other structures, as long as it ensures that the beam reflector 1221 connected to the magnetic control component 1224 can be driven by a magnetic field and rotate axially within the light-transmitting spherical capsule 113.

[0049] The imaging host 2 is used to provide a ring-shaped magnetic field to drive the axial rotation of the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 in the OCT imaging catheter 1. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as... Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the ring-shaped magnetic field is formed by two sets of coil windings 21 arranged opposite each other (connected to a sinusoidal alternating current with a phase difference of 90 degrees) as stator windings; and the AC source signals used to connect the two sets of coil windings 21 are CHA and CHB, respectively; wherein:

[0050] CHA=sint; CHA 2 +CHB 2 =1

[0051] Therefore, a stable rotating superimposed magnetic field can be generated, and the field strength of the superimposed magnetic field is a constant value. This can effectively reduce the manufacturing and usage costs of the OCT imaging system 100 of the present invention; and in this embodiment, the stator winding itself does not need to rotate, yet the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 can still rotate following the annular magnetic field.

[0052] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the annular magnetic field is formed by three coil windings 21 (sinusoidal alternating current with a phase difference of 120 degrees) as stator windings. Preferably, each coil winding 21 is composed of a conical silicon steel core 22 and a flux coil 23 wound around the outer periphery of the silicon steel core 22.

[0053] With this configuration, the magnetic field strength can be controlled by adjusting the amplitude of the alternating current signal, making the strength of the annular magnetic field provided by the present invention adjustable; thereby enabling the annular magnetic field to drive the magneto-controlled imaging unit 122 in the imaging assembly 12 from a relatively long distance.

[0054] Furthermore, the rotation speed of the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 is controlled by adjusting the frequency of the alternating current signal, thereby controlling the number of images generated per second (i.e., the number of frames, one frame of image is generated when the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 rotates once), and realizing high-frequency image acquisition; at the same time, a rotating magnetic field is generated by controlling the sinusoidal alternating current signal, so that the rotation frequency of the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 is stabilized, ensuring the uniformity of the imaging by the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122.

[0055] Processing module 3 is used to generate control information, calibrate OCT imaging catheter 1, and process scan data. The working principle of processing module 3 in processing scan data and acquiring internal images of blood vessels can be found in existing technologies and will not be elaborated here.

[0056] When using the OCT imaging system 100 of the present invention, the OCT imaging catheter 1, which has not been pressurized, i.e., the OCT imaging catheter 1 with the transparent balloon 113 in a contracted state, is first inserted into the blood vessel. At this time, because the diameter of the OCT imaging catheter 1 is small, it is easy to move the OCT imaging catheter 1 to the region of interest. Then, the external pressure pump connected to the pressurization tube 114 is turned on to pressurize the transparent balloon 113 until the transparent balloon 113 is filled into the blood vessel to prevent blood from flowing back into the space between the transparent balloon 113 and the blood vessel wall, thus avoiding the use and flushing of contrast fluid and avoiding the problem of blurred imaging caused by incomplete flushing of contrast fluid. At the same time, the OCT imaging catheter 1 of the present invention can also be used alone for patients who have contraindications to contrast fluid.

[0057] Furthermore, the imaging host 2 provides a ring magnetic field, which acts on the magnetic control unit 1224 of the magnetic control imaging unit 122 to drive the beam reflector 1221 to rotate axially, thereby rotating and scanning the focused light transmitted by the light transmission unit 121, and then realizing the acquisition of scanning data, so as to further process the scanning data through the processing module 3.

[0058] In summary, the OCT imaging catheter 1 of the present invention, by setting a light-transmitting balloon 113 and a magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 disposed within the light-transmitting balloon 113, allows the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 to rotate under the action of an external magnetic field to perform light scanning. Compared with the currently commonly used proximal scanning method, it does not require a proximal rotation controller and a rotating wire assembly; it effectively avoids the uneven rotational twisting phenomenon that occurs in tortuous, meandering, and complex environments due to long-distance torque transmission. Furthermore, by placing the magnetic control unit 1224 in the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 at the distal end of the OCT imaging catheter 1, the use of a micro motor is avoided, greatly reducing the catheter size to adapt to smaller and finer blood vessel imaging environments. Since there are no wires inside the catheter to drive the micro motor, wire artifacts are avoided, effectively improving the imaging quality of the OCT imaging system 100. At the same time, compared to expensive micro motors, the OCT imaging catheter 1 of this invention is more economical, significantly reducing costs. Additionally, by improving the structure and cooperation of the light transmission unit 121 and the magnetically controlled imaging unit 122 in the imaging assembly 12, the optical transmission structure inside the OCT imaging catheter 1 is effectively simplified, improving the stability of light transmission and the flexibility and accessibility of the OCT imaging catheter 1.

[0059] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. An OCT imaging catheter, characterized in that, include: An external protective assembly and an imaging assembly housed within the external protective assembly; The external protection component includes: a protection tube, a connector disposed at one end of the protection tube, a light-transmitting balloon sleeved at the other end of the protection tube, and a pressurization tube for pressurizing the light-transmitting balloon, and the protection tube is provided with an air outlet for pressurizing the light-transmitting balloon. The imaging component includes a light transmission unit and a magnetically controlled imaging unit, which are housed within the protective tube. The combined position of the light transmission unit and the magnetically controlled imaging unit corresponds to the position of the transparent balloon. The magnetically controlled imaging unit can rotate axially within the transparent balloon under the driving action of an external magnetic field to complete intravascular imaging of blood vessels. The magnetron imaging unit includes a beam reflector, a hollow bearing tube for fixing the beam reflector inside the light-transmitting sac, metal counterweight tubes located on both sides of the hollow bearing tube, and a radially magnetized magnetic control unit. The outer peripheral wall of the hollow bearing tube is adhered to the inside of the protective tube; the metal counterweight tubes are respectively arranged on both sides of the hollow bearing tube, and the diameter of the metal counterweight tubes is smaller than the diameter of the hollow bearing tube.

2. The OCT imaging catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light transmission unit includes a single-mode optical fiber for transmitting a light beam and a lens for focusing the light beam. The single-mode optical fiber extends through the connector into the light-transmitting spherical capsule along the protective tube and is fused with the lens to form a whole.

3. The OCT imaging catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam reflector includes a reflective member with an oblique reflective surface and an extension member for connecting the reflective member. The reflective member is close to the light transmission unit, and the oblique reflective surface is disposed toward the light transmission unit.

4. The OCT imaging catheter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The magnetic control unit is connected to the end of the extension member away from the reflective member, and the hollow bearing tube and the metal counterweight tube are sleeved on the extension member and located between the reflective member and the magnetic control unit.

5. The OCT imaging catheter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The beam reflector is a coreless optical fiber fused with a hemispherical lens. The end face of the hemispherical lens is coated with a metal reflective film, and the end face of the hemispherical lens is positioned facing the light transmission unit.

6. The OCT imaging catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external protection component also includes a sealing ring disposed inside the protection tube, the sealing ring being located between the connector and the pressurization tube; and the sealing ring being sleeved on the outside of the light transmission unit.

7. The OCT imaging catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the protective tube is coated with a hydrophilic coating.

8. An OCT imaging system, characterized in that, It includes an imaging host, an OCT imaging catheter, and a processing module; the OCT imaging catheter is the OCT imaging catheter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the imaging host is used to provide a ring magnetic field to drive the magnetically controlled imaging unit in the OCT imaging catheter to rotate axially, and the processing module is used to generate control information, calibrate the OCT imaging catheter, and process scan data.

Images