Ultrasound diagnostic probe having acoustically driven turbin

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

• a tubular element adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel;
• a non-rotating acoustic waveguide disposed within said tubular element coupled to a source of a high frequency ultrasonic signal and a low frequency ultrasonic signal located external to the vascular vessel;
• and
• a turbine responsive to said low frequency ultrasonic signal and disposed at a distal end of said acoustic waveguide, wherein rotation of said turbine directs said high frequency ultrasonic signal in a rotating pattern from said distal end of said acoustic waveguide through said tubular element.

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, said ultrasonic signal including a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal;
• directing the ultrasonic signal into the vascular vessel through a non-rotating waveguide disposed within a catheter inserted into the vascular vessel;
• driving a turbine by said low frequency signal to sweep the high frequency signal continuously in a predetermined pattern about the interior surface of the vascular vessel;
• receiving the high frequency signal after reflection from the interior surface of the vascular vessel;
• and
• producing an image from the reflected signal.