| 摘要 |
<p>An intravascular ultrasonic imaging probe (11) includes a transducer subassembly (12) adapted to being rotated within a guide catheter (14) via a drive cable (60). The guide catheter (14) establishes a bearing surface for supporting the transducer subassembly (12) during rotation while also mechanically isolating the rotating transducer subassembly (12) from surrounding tissue (thereby protecting the tissue from inadvertent and/or undesired tissue abrasion by the subassembly during rotation). The catheter (14) is positioned within a vessel to be imaged by telescopically advancing the same over a previously positioned guide wire (80), the guide wire (80) being withdrawn after the guide catheter (14) is positioned. Thereafter, the transducer subassembly (12) is inserted into the guide catheter and operated so as to obtain ultrasonic images of the vessel under investigation.</p> |
