Devices, systems, and methods for forward looking imaging

摘要

Devices, systems, and methods for forward looking imaging are provided. A system for imaging a vessel of a patient comprises an elongated sheath having a proximal and a distal end. The sheath includes a flexible body with a first lumen in communication with a distal opening at the distal end. The system further comprises an imaging core disposed within the first lumen. The imaging core includes a transducer subassembly sized to extend within the first lumen. The transducer subassembly is adapted to transmit a beam, distally of the elongated sheath, through the distal opening.

主权项

1. A system for imaging a vessel of a patient, the system comprising:
an elongated sheath having a proximal and a distal end and including a flexible body with a first lumen in communication with a distal opening at the distal end; and an imaging core disposed within the first lumen, the imaging core including a housing sized to extend within the first lumen and a transducer subassembly disposed within the housing, the transducer subassembly adapted to transmit a beam, distally of the elongated sheath, through the distal opening of the first lumen and a distal end of the housing, wherein the imaging core is rotatable within the first lumen about a longitudinal axis of the elongated sheath, wherein the distal end of the housing is bounded by a first wall section disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the imaging core, and a second wall section extending at a first oblique angle with respect to the first wall section and the axis of rotation of the imaging core, wherein the transducer subassembly includes a planar face extending at a second oblique angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the imaging core, and wherein the planar face is disposed within the distal opening at the distal end of the elongated sheath such that the planar face defines at least a portion of a distal-most tip, wherein the distal end of the housing is aligned with the transducer subassembly such that first wall section does not extend distally beyond the planar face of the transducer subassembly.