Method And Apparatus For Intravascular Two-Dimensional Ultrasonography

Abstract

A catheter is provided for insertion in the he blood vessel of a patient for ultrasonically imaging the vessel wall. The catheter includes a tubular element and an internally housed drive cable for effective circumferential scan about the catheter of an ultrasonic generating means. Both the tubular element and the drive cable are of a size and flexibility sufficient to permit their introduction into the vessel and subsequent advancement through the vessel to the location of the vessel wall where imaging is desired.

1 . A catheter for imaging within a human body, the catheter comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member adapted to be introduced into the human body, the tubular member including a proximal portion and a distal portion;    an imaging device disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member, the imaging device adapted to emit energy waves for imaging within the human body; and    a micromotor disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member, the micromotor being coupled to rotate the imaging device.    
   
   
       2 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a transmitter coupled to the imaging device capable of sending electrical signals to the imaging device to cause the imaging device to emit the energy waves.  
   
   
       3 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a receiver coupled to the imaging device capable of receiving an electrical signal from the imaging device.  
   
   
       4 . The catheter of  claim 3  further comprising a receiver coupled to the imaging device capable of receiving an electrical signal from the imaging device.  
   
   
       5 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising an elongate flexible cable disposed within the tubular member and electrically coupled to receive an electrical signal from the imaging device.  
   
   
       6 . The catheter of  claim 3  further comprising an elongate flexible cable disposed within the tubular member and electrically coupled to receive the electrical signal from the receiver.  
   
   
       7 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a lumen defined within the tubular member.  
   
   
       8 . The catheter of  claim 7  wherein the lumen is coupled to an infusion port for introducing a drug into the lumen.  
   
   
       9 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a reflective surface in the tubular member, the reflective surface disposed to direct the energy waves from the imaging device to a portion of the human body.  
   
   
       10 . The catheter of  claim 9  wherein the reflective surface is a mirror.  
   
   
       11 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising an inflatable balloon disposed on the tubular member.  
   
   
       12 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a cutting device.  
   
   
       13 . The catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a guidewire adapted to be coupled to the catheter to guide the catheter during introduction of the catheter into the human body.