System and Method for Precisely Locating an Intravascular Device

An intravascular ultrasound system comprising:

• a flexible elongate member having an ultrasound transducer system disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the ultrasound transducer system including a plurality of radiation-sensitive components arranged around an outer circumferential surface of the flexible elongate member;
• a patient-interface monitor communicatively coupled to the ultrasound transducer system via the flexible elongate member;
• a processing system communicatively coupled to the ultrasound transducer system via the patient-interface monitor;
• and
• a watchdog component communicatively coupled to the plurality of radiation-sensitive components and operable to:
• detect radiation-induced changes in behavior of the plurality of radiation-sensitive components caused by radiation produced by a radiation source;
• and
• determine an orientation of the flexible elongate member relative to the radiation source based on the detected radiation-induced changes in the behavior of the plurality of radiation-sensitive components.

A method of locating a flexible elongate member within a vessel comprising:

• advancing the flexible elongate member into the vessel, the flexible elongate member having a plurality of radiation-sensitive components disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member;
• exposing the plurality of radiation-sensitive components to penetrating energy generated by an energy source;
• measuring an operational behavior of the plurality of radiation-sensitive components while exposed to the penetrating energy;
• determining an orientation of the flexible elongate member relative to the energy source based on the measured operational behavior.