A method and
system for generating stabilized intravascular ultrasonic images are provided. The
system may include a probe instrument, such as a
catheter, connected to a processor and a post-processor. The method of using the
system to stabilize images and the method for stabilizing images involve the process by which the processor and post-processor stabilize the image. A computer readable medium containing
executable instructions for controlling a computer containing the processor and post-processor to perform the method of stabilizing images is also provided. The probe instrument, which has a
transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals and a
receiver for receiving reflected ultrasonic signals that contain information about a tubular environment, such as a body lumen, preferably is a
catheter. The processor and post-processor are capable of converting inputted signals into one or more, preferably a series of, images and the post-processor, which determines the center of the environment at each reflection position, detects the edges of the tubular environment and aligns the image center with the environment center thereby limiting the drift of images, which may occur due to movement of the environment, and stabilizing the images. The processor may also be programmed to filter images or series of images to improve the
image stabilization and remove motion interference and / or may be programmed to extract the 3D shape of the environment. The method and device are of particular use where motion causes image drift, for example, the imaging a body lumen, in particular a
vascular lumen, where image drift may occur due to
heart beat or
blood flow.