Combined motor drive and automated longitudinal position translator for ultrasonic imaging system

An imaging system, comprising:

• a catheter assembly comprising an outer sheath and an operative element disposed therein;
• a motor drive assembly, the motor drive assembly comprising a main body adapted for attachment to the catheter assembly, a motor housed in, and secured to, the main body, a drive shaft having a first end rotationally coupled to the motor and a second end adapted for rotationally coupling to the operative element, a pullback carriage slidingly engaging the main body, a drive train rotatably attached to the main body and engagable to the pullback carriage to thereby cause movement of the pullback carriage relative to the main body when the drive train is rotated, and a gear mechanism in rotational communication with the respective drive shaft and drive train, such that rotation of the drive shaft causes corresponding rotation of the drive train;
• and
• a pullback arm attachable at one end to the pullback carriage and at the other end to the outer sheath, such that, when the drive shaft is coupled to the operative element, movement of the main body relative to the pullback carriage causes coincidental movement of the operative element relative to the outer sheath.

A motor drive assembly, comprising:

• a main body adapted for attachment to a catheter assembly;
• a pullback carriage slidingly engaging the main body;
• a motor housed in the main body and rotationally coupled to a drive shaft;
• a drive train rotatably attached to the main body, the drive train being rotationally coupled to the drive shaft and engagable to the pullback carriage to thereby cause movement of the pullback carriage relative to the main body when the drive shaft is rotated.