Endoluminal ultrasonic device and its application

摘要

An endoluminal ultrasound unit is fitted with a drive by a drive shaft (14) that oscillates to and fro. A flexible catheter sheath (16) is coupled to one end of the drive and oscillates with the drive shaft. The catheter sheath has an axis about which it oscillates. The diameter is such that it can be inserted in a human blood vessel. An ultrasonic transducer (18) is attached to the other end of the catheter sheath and oscillates with the latter. The transducer is provided with an array (28) of separate, axis-parallel elements and thus forms a beam rotating at right angles to the axis. The transducer elements are controlled by an electronic system located in the vicinity of the drive. The electrical connection of the transducer and electronic system is effected via lines (24, 36) extending through the catheter sheath. The electronic system comprises an electronic beam focussing (56) for improvement of the axial resolution.