95 results about "Intravascular imaging" patented technology

A method and apparatus for intravascular imaging utilizes a rotating magnetic field generated outside of the patient's body to cause a substantially synchronous rotation of an ultrasonic signal inside the patient's body.

In part, the invention relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT). Registration between such imaging modalities is facilitated by tracking of a marker of the intravascular imaging probe performed on the angiography images obtained during a pullback. Further, detecting and tracking vessel centerlines is used to perform a continuous registration between OCT and angiography images in one embodiment.

An optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging probe 500 comprises a reference arm, and a sample arm which are both preferably disposed in a hollow outer tube 515. The sample arm comprises a MEMS scanning mirror 210 disposed inside and secured to the tube 515 for providing lateral scanning of a first and second optical beam provided. The scanning mirror has a highly reflective top 211 and highly reflective bottom surface 212, wherein the first beam is incident on the top surface and the second beam is incident on the bottom surface. The scanning mirror 210 is rotatable through at least 90° along a first axis to provide 180° scanning on each of its surfaces to cover a full 360° circumferential view of a sample to be imaged.

The invention generally relates to methods for determining when to initiate an imaging procedure inside a lumen of a vessel. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve introducing an imaging apparatus into a lumen of a vessel, introducing a flushing fluid into the lumen of the vessel, detecting a signal associated with introduction of the flushing fluid, and initiating an imaging procedure based upon results of the detecting step.

The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.

Vasculature can be imaged with emissive semiconductor nanocrystals, for example, in the near infrared.

A fiber-delivered probe suitable for CARS imaging of thick tissues is practical. The disclosed design is based on two advances. First, a major problem in CARS probe design is the presence of a very strong anti-Stokes component in silica delivery fibers generated through a FWM process. Without proper spectral filtering, this component affects the CARS image from the tissue sample. The illustrated embodiments of the invention efficiently suppress this spurious anti-Stokes component through the use of a separate fiber for excitation delivery and for signal detection, which allows the incorporation of dichroic optics for anti-Stokes rejection. Second, the detection of backscattered CARS radiation from the sample is optimized by using a large core multi mode fiber in the detection channel. This scheme produces high quality CARS images free of detector aperture effects. Miniaturization of this fiber-delivered probe results in a practical handheld probe for clinical CARS imaging.

The invention is directed to a probe-type imaging device useful to visualize interior surfaces, e.g., the lumen of blood vessels. Specifically, the probe-type device is particularly useful for direct tissue imaging in the presence or absence of molecular imaging agents.

The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an ultrasound transducer element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices because it offers the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device, while the use of multiple transducer crystals maximizes field of view. Also disclosed are methods of using the same.

In part, the invention relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT). Registration between such imaging modalities is facilitated by tracking of a marker of the intravascular imaging probe performed on the angiography images obtained during a pullback. Further, detecting and tracking vessel centerlines is used to perform a continuous registration between OCT and angiography images in one embodiment.

The invention provides an intravascular imaging system and method. The intravascular imaging system comprises a laser source, a coupling optical path, a signal acquisition and control system, a time-delay circuit, an ultrasonic signal transceiver, a three-dimensional scanning system and an opto-acoustic/ultrasonic vascular endoscope device; pulse laser emitted by the laser source is guided into the opto-acoustic/ultrasonic vascular endoscope device through the coupling optical path and the three-dimensional scanning system; the pulse laser obliquely enters to a vascular wall to excite an opto-acoustic signal; a synchronous triggering signal emitted by the laser source enters the ultrasonic signal transceiver; the ultrasonic signal transceiver is used for controlling the opto-acoustic/ultrasonic vascular endoscope device to emit and receive the ultrasonic signal according to the synchronous triggering signal; the signal acquisition and control system is used for receiving the opto-acoustic signal and the ultrasonic signal from the opto-acoustic/ultrasonic vascular endoscope device through the ultrasonic signal transceiver and carrying out three-dimensional reconstruction according to the opto-acoustic signal and the ultrasonic signal to generate a three-dimensional image and a cross section image of intravascular tissues. According to the intravascular imaging system and method, the imaging speed can be improved.

This invention describes methods to compute coronary physiology indexes using a high precision registration model, which consists of acquiring coronary angiography images of coronary vessels, performing intravascular imaging, and registering the coronary angiography images with intravascular images to create a high precision registration model, based upon which the coronary flow, fractional flow reserve (FFR) and index of microcirculation resistance (IMR) can be computed. The methods described in this invention to compute coronary flow, FFR, IMR are based on both coronary angiography and intravascular images, and the accuracy is better than those derived from coronary angiography alone or intravascular imaging alone, and have high practical values.

A multi-modal catheter combining at least NIRF and IVUs imaging channels used to reveal integrated biological and structural features of a lumen intravascularly imaged through flowing blood in vivo and corrected for distance-related attenuation and/or scattering parameters of in vivo blood to compensate for discovered overestimation of the degree of in-vivo-blood attenuation of NIRF signal Enhancing the sensitivity of detection of vascular injury and/or plaque deposition beyond the capability of a standalone IVUS imaging as a result of the use of such corrected catheter.

Methods, systems and non-transitory computer readable media that store instructions executable by one or more processors for performing an interventional procedure are presented. One or more pulses are delivered to an intravascular region of interest (ROI) in a subject using at least one image sensor and at least one forward-looking flow sensor disposed at a distal end of an integrated intravascular device. Further, one or more images corresponding to the ROI are reconstructed using imaging signals received in response to the pulses delivered by the image sensor. Additionally, one or more flow characteristics corresponding to the ROI are determined based on the signals received in response to the pulses delivered by the flow sensor. The determined flow characteristics are used for computing one or more functional parameters corresponding to the ROI. An assessment of the subject may be provided based on the reconstructed images and/or the functional parameters.

A combined multi-lumen central access catheter and an embolic filter, further comprising an imaging modality to facilitate intravascular imaging of the filter.

The invention discloses an intravascular photoacoustic-optical coherence tomography-near-infrared multi-mode imaging device and method. The device comprises a computer, a photoacoustic imaging system,an optical coherence tomography system, a near-infrared optical imaging system, an optical fiber combiner, a double-cladding optical fiber photoelectric combination slip ring, a three-dimensional motion control system and a miniature endoscopic probe. On the one hand, the photoacoustic imaging system, the optical coherence tomography system and the near-infrared optical imaging system are connected to the computer; on the other hand, double-cladding optical fibers are disposed on the double-cladding optical fiber photoelectric combination slip ring through the optical fiber combiner and thenconnected to the miniature endoscope probe, and the double-cladding optical fiber photoelectric combination slip ring is disposed on a three-dimensional motion detection system. Integration of three intravascular imaging methods of photoacoustic imaging, OCT imaging and near-infrared optical imaging is achieved, detection procedures are simplified, the detection difficulty is reduced, and the situation that work is conducted by means of the three imaging methods simultaneously can be achieved.

A wave-based tomographic imaging method and apparatus based upon one or more rotating radially outward oriented transmitting and receiving elements have been developed for non-destructive evaluation. At successive angular locations at a fixed radius, a predetermined transmitting element can launch a primary field and one or more predetermined receiving elements can collect the backscattered field in a "pitch/catch" operation. A Hilbert space inverse wave (HSIW) algorithm can construct images of the received scattered energy waves using operating modes chosen for a particular application. Applications include, improved intravascular imaging, bore hole tomography, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of parts having existing access holes.

In part, the invention relates to systems and methods of calibrating a plurality of frames generated with respect to a blood vessel as a result of a pullback of an intravascular imaging probe being pullback through the vessel. A calibration feature disposed in the frames that changes between a subset of the frames can be used to perform calibration. Calibration can be performed post-pullback. Various filters and image processing techniques can be used to identify one or more feature in the frames including, without limitation, a calibration feature, a guidewire, a side branch, a stent strut, a lumen of the blood vessel, and other features. The feature can be displayed using a graphic user interface.

The invention relates to an intravascular virtual endoscope imaging system based on an electromagnetic positioning composite conduit and a working method of the system. The intravascular virtual endoscope imaging system comprises an electromagnetic positioning tracking module, a composite intravascular imaging conduit module and a positioning information processing and composite image presenting module, wherein the composite intravascular imaging conduit module is used for acquiring intravascular images; the electromagnetic positioning tracking module is used for acquiring a movement track of the composite intravascular imaging conduit module inside blood vessels, and used for transmitting the movement track to the positioning information processing and composite image presenting module, then correction and fusion of the intravascular images and the positioning information is implemented, and blood vessel spatial information is represented in a virtual endoscope environment. Relatively precise bases are provided for diagnosis on vasculopathy.

The invention is a system comprising an intravascular imaging probe having expanded imaging capabilities and a processor for processing the image data and causing relevant information, such as flow, to be displayed. The system is configured to cause image data to be processed and reconfigured in a user friendly format, e.g., color-coded, to provide details of flow, including the automated, or semi-automated, detection of endoleaks at or near a placement site of a stent graft within a lumen associated with an EVAR or TEVAR procedure. The system is further configured to provide identification of the type of endoleak present.