Ultrasound diagnostic probe having non-rotating acoustic imaging waveguide

A catheter apparatus for obtaining an image of a vascular vessel comprising:

• an outer tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel;
• a rotatable inner tubular element disposed within said outer tubular element and means for rotating said inner tubular element about an axis of said vascular vessel;
• a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within said inner tubular element coupled to a source of an ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel;
• and
• means associated with said inner tubular element for directing said ultrasonic signal from a distal end of said acoustic waveguide through said outer tubular element at an angle relative to said axis of said vascular vessel.

A method for imaging an interior surface of a vascular vessel comprising the steps of:

• generating an ultrasonic signal using a transducer located external to the vascular vessel;
• directing the ultrasonic signal into the vascular vessel through a non-rotating waveguide disposed within a catheter inserted into the vascular vessel;
• sweeping the signal continuously in a predetermined pattern about the interior surface of the vascular vessel by rotating an acoustic guiding member within the catheter;
• receiving the signal after reflection from the interior surface of the vascular vessel;
• and
• producing an image from the reflected signal.