Imaging catheter and methods of use for ultrasound-guided ablation

摘要

The present invention provides ultrasound imaging catheters, systems and methods for their use which will be particularly useful to monitor the positioning of ablation catheters. In one embodiment, an imaging catheter (10) includes a catheter body (11) having a distal end (12), a proximal end (14) and a longitudinal axis (16). A transducer (20) is rotatably coupled to the distal end. The transducer has an axis of rotation (24) that is at a non-zero angle relative to the catheter body longitudinal axis. Such a configuration provides an exemplary side-looking imaging catheter.