Longitudinal multiplane ultrasound transducer underfluid catheter system

摘要

An underfluid imaging, diagnostic, interventional, or measuring catheter apparatus including an outer catheter body and a drive shaft receivable in the outer body and rotatable with respect to the outer body; an ultrasound transducer array mounted on the rotatable drive shaft and rotated with the drive shaft; and a ultrasound window portion disposed on the outer body, wherein the ultrasound transducer array is longitudinally positionable within the outer body proximate the window portion so as to allow transmission of ultrasound signals from the transducer array to the outside of the catheter. The ultrasound signals are a sequential set of spatially related tomographic image planes which define a volumetric field of view around the catheter. An underfluid therapeutic or diagnostic device can be received in the catheter through a port extending from proximate a proximal end to proximate a distal end of the catheter. The device is operated in the volumetric field of view which provides a real time image of the operation.