Markers for a medical ultrasound imaging catheter

摘要

A catheter is provided for medical ultrasound imaging that can be effectively used in combination with other imaging modalities to detect medical structures of interest as well as the catheter. Markers are added to the catheter which allow more precise location identification of the catheter in the merging of the images from different modalities. Using a template, apertures for marker placement are formed in the catheter after creating the catheter housing. The ultrasound array may be used for accurate positioning of the template. Alternatively or additionally, a rigid insert with markers connects with the array. The insert holds the markers in place and may reduce artifacts in ultrasound scanning due to flexing of the array.

主权项

1. A system for inserting a marker in a medical ultrasound imaging catheter, the system comprising:
a guide comprising an acoustic target having a different acoustic reflectivity than supporting guide material supporting the acoustic target and the guide configured to support the medical ultrasound imaging catheter; a measurement device configured to indicate a position of an array of the medical ultrasound imaging catheter relative to the acoustic target of the guide supporting the medical ultrasound imaging catheter, the measurement device comprising a beamformer and an image processor connected with the array, the position indicated as an alignment of the array based on a peak in acoustic response received by the beamformer from the array; a clamp configured to hold the medical ultrasound imaging catheter in the position relative to the guide in the alignment; and a through hole in the guide.