Ultrasound imaging systems with bias circuitry and methods of making and using

摘要

A medical imaging system includes an imaging device for inserting into a lumen of a catheter. The imaging device includes an ultrasound transducer and bias circuitry electrically coupled to the transducer for biasing the transducer. At least one communication line is coupled to both the ultrasound transducer and the bias circuitry and extends to a proximal end of the catheter. The at least one communication line transmits a transducer drive signal to the transducer and a charge signal to the bias circuitry. At least one inductive coupler is in communication with the at least one communication line. The transducer drive signal and the charge signal are both AC signals. The transducer drive signal has a transducer-drive-signal frequency and the charge signal has a charge-signal frequency that is different than the transducer-drive-signal frequency.

主权项

1. A medical imaging system, comprising:
a catheter configured and arranged for insertion into an intravascular portion of a living being, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter defining a lumen; an imaging device disposed in the lumen of the catheter, the imaging device for imaging interior portions of the living being, the imaging device comprising:
at least one ultrasound transducer, andbias circuitry electrically coupled to the at least one transducer and configured and arranged to electrically bias the at least one transducer; at least one communication line coupled to both the at least one ultrasound transducer and the bias circuitry and extending to a proximal end of the catheter, the at least one communication line configured and arranged for transmitting a transducer drive signal to the at least one transducer, and transmitting a charge signal to the bias circuitry; and at least one inductive coupler in communication with the at least one communication line; wherein the transducer drive signal and the charge signal are both AC signals, the transducer drive signal having a transducer-drive-signal frequency in a range of 5 MHz to 120 MHz, and the charge signal having a charge-signal frequency in a range of 20 kHz to 500 kHz; wherein the AC charge signal is transmitted along the at least one communication line through the at least one inductive coupler; the imaging device further comprising a first blocking circuit disposed between the ultrasound transducer and the at least one inductive coupler, the first blocking circuit comprising a high pass filter configured and arranged to pass the transducer drive signal to the ultrasound transducer and to block the charge signal; and a second blocking circuit disposed between the bias circuitry and the at least one inductive coupler, the second blocking circuit comprising a low pass filter configured and arranged to pass the charge signal to the bias circuitry and to block the transducer drive signal.