Oscillating Acoustic Deflector for 3D Imaging Catheter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging catheters require complex and large structures to rotate ultrasound transducers for capturing three-dimensional volumetric images, which can be cumbersome and expensive due to the need for rotating drivewires, electrical components, and mechanical actuators.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an acoustic imaging element and an acoustically transmissive oscillating energy deflector, such as a prism or lens, that oscillates to capture multiple two-dimensional image slices, allowing for the creation of three-dimensional volumetric images without the need for rotating the entire catheter, using a drive assembly like a motor or piezomotor to facilitate the deflection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motorized continuously-rotating transducer is used to obtain three-dimensional volumetric images, then imaging capability is improved, but device complexity and catheter size increase due to rotating drivewire, electrical slip rings, and rotary transformers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the entire catheter assembly and isolates it to a small oscillating mirror at the distal end. Only the mirror needs to oscillate, not the entire catheter or transducer array, thereby removing the need for complex rotating drivewires, slip rings, and rotary transformers while maintaining the ability to capture volumetric imaging data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with an acoustic/optical deflection system. Instead of mechanically rotating the transducer, ultrasonic waves are deflected by an oscillating mirror to achieve the same imaging effect, eliminating the need for complex mechanical rotation components
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual actuation with a finger slider is used to rotate the transducer, then three-dimensional imaging is achieved, but the catheter structure becomes relatively large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the manual rotation mechanism (finger slider) entirely and replaces it with an automated oscillating mirror system. This extraction allows the catheter to maintain a smaller, more streamlined diameter while still achieving the necessary angular scanning for volumetric imaging
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the transducer in a mechanical dimension (requiring large catheter diameter), the patent uses acoustic wave deflection through an oscillating mirror to achieve angular scanning, effectively moving the scanning function to a different dimensional approach that requires minimal space
3Loss of information
If the transducer is rotated to capture multiple two-dimensional image slices, then three-dimensional volumetric images can be assembled, but the mechanical system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical transducer rotation system with an acoustic deflection system using an oscillating mirror. The mirror oscillates to deflect ultrasonic waves at different angles, capturing multiple two-dimensional image slices without requiring complex mechanical actuators, thereby maintaining complete volumetric image data while reducing system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating mirror serves as an intermediary element that redirects ultrasonic waves to achieve angular scanning. This intermediary allows the system to capture complete volumetric data without directly rotating the transducer or using complex mechanical actuators
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 approach simplifies the catheter design, reduces complexity and size, and enables efficient capture of closely spaced two-dimensional image slices for assembling into three-dimensional images, improving imaging efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustically transmissive oscillating energy deflector can be an acoustically transparent prism or lens
Implementation Method 2
an oscillating reflective acoustic mirror deflector positioned within the beam path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An apparatus for imaging tissue in three dimensions (e.g. ICE catheter) includes a shaft, a static imaging element (20) disposed within the shaft, an oscillating energy deflector (24) positioned within the beam path of the imaging element, and a drive assembly operable to oscillate the energy deflector. The imaging element can be acoustic or electromagnetic, and the energy deflector can be a prism, a lens or an acoustic mirror. By oscillating the energy deflector and/or by providing an asymmetric energy deflector, a plurality of two-dimensional image slices can be obtained. These image slices can then be assembled into a three-dimensional volumetric image.