Rotational Intravascular Sensor Array Combining Photoacoustic and Ultrasound Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging modalities for vascular pathways, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), are limited in gathering data on anatomy beyond vessel walls and have limitations in penetration depth and imaging speed.
Innovation Solution
A combined photoacoustic and IVUS imaging system is developed, where a sensor array on a rotatable measurement apparatus emits optical pulses and receives sound waves and ultrasound signals to map vascular pathways and surrounding tissue, allowing for higher resolution and faster imaging with expanded diagnostic scope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is used to assess vascular disease, then vessel wall structure and plaques can be detected, but the ability to gather data on anatomy beyond vessel walls is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines IVUS imaging with photoacoustic imaging in a single intravascular device. The device includes both an IVUS transducer array and a photoacoustic sensor array, allowing simultaneous acquisition of ultrasound images (for vessel wall structure and plaques) and photoacoustic images (for tissue oxygenation and metabolic activity). This merging enables the system to maintain high resolution for vascular structures while expanding diagnostic scope to include functional information about surrounding tissues and beyond-vessel anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The intravascular device is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple diagnostic tasks simultaneously. The sensor array can operate in IVUS mode for structural imaging, photoacoustic mode for functional imaging, or combined mode for correlated analysis. This universal design allows a single device to assess both vessel wall characteristics and surrounding tissue metabolism, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic procedures.
2Measurement precision
If optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used for high resolution imaging, then detailed tissue structure can be visualized, but penetration depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges OCT with photoacoustic imaging to overcome the penetration depth limitation. While OCT provides high resolution for superficial structures, the photoacoustic component uses laser-induced acoustic waves that can penetrate deeper into tissues. The combined system can thus achieve high resolution imaging at greater depths by leveraging the complementary strengths of both modalities - OCT for superficial detail and photoacoustics for deep penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the imaging parameter from purely optical (OCT) to a combination of optical and acoustic (photoacoustic). By converting optical energy to acoustic energy through laser-induced heating, the system achieves deeper penetration while maintaining high resolution. The photoacoustic signals provide detailed information about tissue oxygenation and metabolism at depths beyond the OCT limitation.
3Loss of information
If conventional imaging modalities are used for vascular assessment, then diagnostic information can be obtained, but imaging speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (IVUS and photoacoustic imaging) in a single integrated system that operates simultaneously. The sensor arrays are configured to acquire both ultrasound and photoacoustic signals concurrently, allowing parallel acquisition of structural and functional information. This merging eliminates the need for sequential imaging procedures, significantly increasing imaging speed while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic information quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The intravascular device enables continuous acquisition of multiple types of imaging data as it moves through the vascular system. The simultaneous operation of IVUS and photoacoustic sensing allows uninterrupted collection of both structural and functional information, eliminating idle time between different imaging modalities and maintaining continuous useful action throughout the diagnostic procedure.
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
The system provides enhanced resolution and speed in imaging vascular pathways and surrounding tissue, enabling detection of cancers and tissue damage while maintaining the reliability of ultrasound in detecting plaques and vascular diseases, with potential for cost savings and integration with laser therapy.
Implementation Method 1
an optical emitter coupled to a distal portion of the rotational drive member, the optical emitter configured to emit optical pulses to tissue in a region of interest... receive sound waves generated by the tissue as a result of interaction of the optical pulses with the tissue
Implementation Method 2
transmit ultrasound signals... receive ultrasound echo signals based on the transmitted ultrasound signals
Data Source
AI summary
Imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to imaging a region of interest in tissue with photoacoustic and ultrasound modalities. In some embodiments, a medical sensing system (100) includes a measurement apparatus (102) configured to be placed within a vascular pathway. The measurement apparatus may include a sensor array (106) comprising two or more sensor modalities. The sensor array may be configured to receive sound waves created by the interaction between emitted optical pulses and tissue, transmit and receive ultrasound signals, and rotate around a longitudinal axis of the measurement device. The medical sensing system may also include a processing engine operable to produce images of the region of interest and a display configured to visually display the image of the region of interest.