Multifunction intraluminal ultrasound catheter having a removable core with maximized transducer aperture

A method for maximizing a transducer aperture within a multi-lumen imaging catheter assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an imaging window having a substantially circular cross-section at one end of an elongate tubular element, said substantially circular cross-section of said imaging window having a predetermined internal diameter;
• providing a first lumen within said elongate tubular element, said first lumen having a distal end that opens into a cavity defined by an inner wall of said imaging window, said first lumen having one substantially flat wall and having a maximum cross-sectional diameter substantially equal to said internal diameter of said imaging window;
• providing a second lumen within at least a portion of said elongate tubular member;
• and
• providing an imaging core within said first lumen, said imaging core having a transducer housing with a cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of said first lumen, such that said imaging core is capable of translational movement within said first lumen and rotational movement when extended into said cavity defined by said inner wall of said imaging window.

An ultrasonic imaging catheter system comprising:

• a substantially tubular element and an imaging window, said imaging window being affixed to a distal end of said tubular element, having a generally circular cross-section and having a predetermined internal cross-sectional diameter,
• said imaging window having a wall defining an imaging cavity, and said tubular element having a first lumen and a second lumen provided therein,
• said first lumen being in communication with said imaging cavity, including a first wall having a curvature corresponding to a curvature of said wall of said imaging window, and having a maximum internal cross-sectional diameter substantially equal to said internal cross-sectional diameter of said imaging window;
• whereby a housing of an imaging core having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of said first lumen may be inserted within said first lumen, passed into said cavity of said imaging window and rotated about a predetermined axis within said imaging window.