IMAGING CATHETER WITH INTEGRATED CONTRAST AGENT INJECTOR

摘要

Described herein are systems and methods that integrate the injection of contrast agents with imaging catheters. In an embodiment, an imaging catheter (105) comprises a catheter sheath (110) and an imager (125), e.g., ultrasound transducer. The imaging catheter further comprises a contrast lumen (115) having one or more exit ports (135) for injecting contrast agent into the patient. The contrast lumen extends along the catheter sheath and may be external to or integrated into the catheter sheath. Preferably, the exit port of the contrast lumen is positioned along the catheter sheath at a relatively short known distance from the imager. The catheter may include multiple contrast lumens for injecting different types of contrast agents. In an embodiment, a synchronizing controller is provided to automatically synchronize the injection of contrast agent with imaging. In another embodiment, drug-filled microbubbles in combination with ultrasound imaging are used to deliver a controlled drug dose to a specific treatment site.