Miniature Actuator Mechanism for Intravascular Imaging
AssigneeVolcano Corporation
InventorsByong-Ho Park, Stephen M. Rudy
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an ultrasound transducer element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices because it offers the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device, while the use of multiple transducer crystals maximizes field of view. Also disclosed are methods of using the same.
Claims21
1-40. (canceled)
An intravascular imaging device, comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- an actuator mechanism disposed adjacent the distal portion of the elongate member, the actuator mechanism comprising a first anchor, a second anchor, at least one movable element, a deformable component, and a first Shape Memory Alloy (“SMA”) actuator, and
- an imaging element connected to the at least one movable element;
- wherein the first anchor is connected to a first side of the at least one moveable element by the first SMA actuator and the second anchor is connected to a second side of the at least one movable element by the deformable component;
- wherein the first and second anchors are secured relative to the elongate member;
- wherein a longitudinal axis of the actuator mechanism extending between the first anchor and the second anchor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member;
- wherein the first SMA actuator has an activated state and a deactivated state;
- and
- wherein the at least one movable element and the imaging element move in a first direction relative to the elongate member upon activation of the first SMA actuator.
An intravascular imaging apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- an imaging element disposed in the distal portion of the elongate member;
- and
- an actuator mechanism disposed in the distal portion of the elongate member and configured to provide cyclical motion to the imaging element, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a first anchor, a second anchor, a movable element, and a Shape Memory Alloy (“SMA”) actuator connected to the first anchor and the movable element, wherein the first and second anchors are fixedly secured to the elongate member and wherein a longitudinal axis of the actuator mechanism extending between the first anchor and the second anchor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
An intravascular imaging apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- an actuator mechanism disposed within the distal portion, the actuator mechanism including:
- a first anchor fixedly attached to the elongate member,
- a second anchor fixedly attached to the elongate member and spaced from the first anchor,
- a movable element positioned between the first and second anchors,
- a first Shape Memory Alloy (“SMA”) actuator connected to the first anchor and the movable element, and
- a second Shape Memory Alloy (“SMA”) actuator connected to the second anchor and the movable element,
- wherein a longitudinal axis of the actuator mechanism extending between the first anchor and the second anchor is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said elongate member, and
- wherein selective activation and deactivation of the first and second SMA actuators imparts oscillatory motion to the moveable element;
- and
- an imaging element coupled to the movable element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.