Intravascular Probe Housing for Dual IVUS OCT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular imaging probes face challenges in minimizing the diameter of the imaging core to accommodate both IVUS and OCT transmitting and receiving units, which is crucial for navigating extremely thin body lumens like blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A probe design with a cylindrical housing that positions the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit distally and the light transmitting and receiving unit proximally, with signal wires arranged to minimize space, allowing for efficient signal transfer and image generation while maintaining a compact diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both IVUS and OCT transmitting and receiving units are accommodated in the imaging core, then dual imaging functionality is achieved, but the diameter of the imaging core increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the IVUS transmitting and receiving unit inside the housing that also contains the OCT transmitting and receiving unit. Specifically, the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit is arranged on the distal side while the light transmitting and receiving unit is arranged on the proximal side within the same cylindrical housing, effectively nesting one imaging system within another to achieve dual functionality without proportionally increasing diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the axial dimension by positioning the IVUS unit distally and the OCT unit proximally along the axial direction of the imaging core. This dimensional arrangement allows both units to coexist in the limited radial space while maintaining their respective functions, transforming the problem from a radial space constraint to an axial arrangement solution
2Reliability
If signal wires are arranged to connect the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit, then signal transmission is achieved, but space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the signal wires in a specific local region - arranging them to extend substantially parallel to each other in the axial direction and locating them below the optical element of the OCT unit. This localized arrangement ensures signal transmission functionality while confining the wires to a minimal space region that does not interfere with other components
Solution Approach 2:
The signal wires are arranged to extend in the axial direction rather than radially outward, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the housing. By making the distance between the two signal wires smaller than the width of the optical element below the light transmitting and receiving unit, the wires occupy minimal cross-sectional area while maintaining electrical connectivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves space-saving by securely fixing both IVUS and OCT units, reducing the probe's diameter and minimizing vibrations during high-speed rotation, thereby enhancing the imaging apparatus's ability to generate accurate tomographic images within narrow body lumens.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 2
a light transmitting and receiving unit to transmit and receive light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A configuration is provided for firmly fixing a transmitting and receiving unit for IVUS and a transmitting and receiving unit for OCT in a probe of an imaging apparatus for diagnosis in which space saving is achieved. According to the present invention, the probe includes a cylindrical housing 223 in which an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit 310 is arranged on a distal side and a light transmitting and receiving unit 320 is arranged on a proximal side. Two signal wires 311 of which one ends are connected to the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving unit 310 and which extend toward the proximal side substantially parallel to each other are arranged in the housing 223 so as to cause the distance between the two signal wires to be smaller than a width W of a ball lens portion 322 configuring the light transmitting and receiving unit 320 below the light transmitting and receiving unit 320.