Array rotation for ultrasound catheters
AssigneeSiemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
InventorsWalter T. Wilser, Lex J. Garbini, Jian Hua Mo
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Abstract
A transducer array is connected with a catheter housing. As the transducer array is rotated, the catheter housing also rotates. As a result, at least a portion of the catheter housing twists about a longitudinal axis. By applying rotation in a controlled way, such as with a motor, a plurality of two-dimensional images for three-dimensional reconstruction may be obtained. The rotation of the catheter housing may limit the total amount of rotation of the array, such as rotating the array through a 90 degree or less amount of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The housing of the catheter is formed with a soft section. The softer material allows for a greater amount or increased ease for twisting the catheter.
Claims11
A method for scanning a volume with an ultrasound catheter, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an ultrasound catheter having a housing, the housing comprising a first portion having a transducer array, a third portion having a motor, and a second flexible portion between the first and third portions;
- (b) rotating a transducer array about a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound catheter;
- (c) rotating the first portion of the housing of the ultrasound catheter about the longitudinal axis with the transducer array a substantially same amount;
- (d) twisting the second portion of the housing about the longitudinal axis in response to the rotation of the transducer array, the first portion or combinations thereof;
- (e) maintaining the third portion of the housing substantially free of the twisting and rotation of the second and first portions during the twisting and rotation of the second and first portions;
- (f) scanning with the ultrasound transducer along a plurality of planes rotated about the longitudinal axis in response to (b) and (c);
- and
- (g) generating an image representing the volume as a function of data along the plurality of planes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.