Opitcal-acoustic imaging device

摘要

The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating, and a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic jacket, which device may achieve omnidirectional (360°) imaging. The imaging guide wire of the invention can function as a guide wire for vascular interventions, can enable real time imaging during balloon inflation, and stent deployment, thus will provide clinical information that is not available when catheter-based imaging systems are used. The device of the invention may enable shortened total procedure times, including the fluoroscopy time, will also reduce radiation exposure to the patient and to the operator.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
an elongate member including proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal direction therebetween, the elongate member comprising a plurality of optical fibers extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein a distal portion of the elongate member is configured to be introduced into a human or animal body for internally imaging a portion of the body; a strength member disposed about the elongate member, the strength member defining a plurality of apertures; an acoustic transmitter on the distal portion of the elongate member that is configured to be introduced into a human or animal body for internally imaging a portion of the body; and an acoustic-to-optical transducer at each of a plurality of separately addressable discrete locations, the discrete locations including locations on different ones of the optical fibers and respectively corresponding to the plurality of apertures, the locations distributed around a circumference of the distal portion of the elongate member that is configured to be introduced into a human or animal body for internally imaging a portion of the body, and wherein the plurality of separately addressable discrete locations distributed around the circumference are configured to be scanned for performing the imaging in a number of different directions respectively directed outward through the plurality of apertures from the corresponding discrete locations distributed around the circumference.