System and method for characterizing vascular tissue

An intravascular-ultrasound (IVUS) data-acquisition system, comprising:

• a catheter comprising at least one transducer and configured to transmit a plurality of ultrasound signals directed toward first and second locations of the vascular tissue and to receive first ultrasound data and second ultrasound data, the first and second locations being different locations of the vascular tissue, said first ultrasound data and said second ultrasound data being respectively backscattered from vascular tissue at the first and second location, such that said first ultrasound data is different than said second ultrasound data;
• and
• a computing device electrically connected to said catheter and comprising a transfer-function application configured to:
• receive said first ultrasound data and said second ultrasound data;
• use said first set of ultrasound data and a first algorithm and use said second set of ultrasound data and the first algorithm to estimate respective first and second transfer functions of said catheter respectively corresponding to the first ultrasound data and said second ultrasound data;
• and
• use said first and second transfer functions and a second algorithm to calculate a third transfer function of said catheter, the second algorithm being a different algorithm than the first algorithm,
• determine ultrasound response data for said vascular tissue, said ultrasound response data being a function of at least said third transfer function, and at least a portion of said first ultrasound data and second ultrasound data.

A vascular-tissue-characterization system, comprising:

• a catheter comprising at least one transducer and configured to transmit ultrasound signals toward vascular tissue and to receive backscatters of said ultrasound signals from said vascular tissue;
• an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) console electrically connected to said catheter and configured to receive said backscatters of said ultrasound signals from said vascular tissue, said backscatters of said ultrasound signals comprising ultrasound data;
• a transfer-function application configured to:
• use the ultrasound data backscattered from said vascular tissue to estimate at least two different transfer functions of said catheter, each of said at least two transfer functions being estimated based on separate ultrasound data received at separate times and at separate locations and a first algorithm;
• use said at least two transfer functions and a second algorithm to calculate a third transfer function, the second algorithm being different than the first algorithm;
• and
• use said third transfer function to calculate a response data portion of said ultrasound data;
• and
• a computing device electrically connected to said IVUS console, comprising:
• a database configured to store a plurality of parameters corresponding to a plurality of vascular tissue types;
• and
• a characterization application electrically connected to said database and configured to:
• analyze said response-data portion of said ultrasound data for a plurality of identifiable parameters;
• and
• use said plurality of identifiable parameters and at least a portion of said plurality of parameters stored in said database to characterize at least a portion of said vascular tissue.

A method of acquiring ultrasound response data for vascular tissue, comprising:

• inserting at least a portion of a catheter into a vascular structure;
• activating a transducer portion of said catheter, said activation of said transducer portion resulting in at least two ultrasound signals being transmitted toward vascular tissue;
• acquiring at least a first set of backscattered ultrasound data from a first portion of said vascular tissue and a second set of backscattered ultrasound data from a second portion of said vascular tissue, the first portion of the vascular tissue being different than the second portion of the vascular tissue such that the first set of backscattered ultrasound data is different than the second set of backscattered ultrasound data;
• using at least a portion of said first set of backscattered ultrasound data and a first algorithm to estimate a first transfer function of said catheter while said catheter is inside said vascular structure;
• using at least a portion of said second set of backscattered ultrasound data and said first algorithm to estimate a second transfer function of said catheter while said catheter is inside said vascular structure;
• and
• using at least said first transfer function, said second transfer function and a second algorithm to calculate a third transfer function;
• and
• using said third transfer function to calculate ultrasound response data for said vascular tissue,
• wherein said ultrasound response data is
• (i) indicative of data that is backscattered from said vascular tissue and
• (ii) substantially independent from ultrasound data modifications resulting from said catheter.

A method of acquiring ultrasound response data for vascular tissue, comprising:

• inserting at least a portion of a catheter into a vascular structure;
• activating a transducer portion of said catheter, said activation of said transducer portion resulting in at least two ultrasound signals being transmitted toward vascular tissue;
• acquiring at least a first set of backscattered ultrasound data from a first portion of said vascular tissue and a second set of backscattered ultrasound data from a second portion of said vascular tissue;
• using at least a portion of said first set of backscattered ultrasound data and a first algorithm to estimate a first transfer function of said catheter while said catheter is inside said vascular structure;
• using at least a portion of said second set of backscattered ultrasound data and said first algorithm to estimate a second transfer function of said catheter while said catheter is inside said vascular structure;
• and
• using at least said first transfer function, said second transfer function and a second algorithm to calculate a third transfer function, the second algorithm being a different algorithm than the first algorithm;
• and
• using said third transfer function to calculate ultrasound response data for said vascular tissue,
• wherein said ultrasound response data is
• (i) indicative of data that is backscattered from said vascular tissue and
• (ii) substantially independent from ultrasound data modifications resulting from said catheter.