Component-based catheter lab intravascular ultrasound system

Abstract

A componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed that flexibly integrates with a catheter lab infrastructure for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab enviromnent. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The processing unit is communicatively coupled to the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor. Furthermore the processing unit adapted to: coordinate operation of the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor; and generate images from image data provides by the PIM. The PIM, control panel and monitor are independently positionable with regard to one another.

1 . A componentized system for acquisition and display of intravascular information, comprising: 
 a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold an imaging flexible elongate member having an imaging probe located near a distal end of the flexible elongate member, and configured to obtain information for generating an image of a vessel;    a control panel;    a monitor for displaying images and other data for a patient; and    a processing unit, communicatively coupled to the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor, the processing unit adapted to: 
 coordinate operation of the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor; and  
 generate images from image data provides by the PIM,  
   wherein the PIM, control panel and monitor are independently positionable with regard to one another when used in a catheter-based imaging operation.    
     
     
         2 . The componentized system of  claim 1  wherein communications interfaces and physical cabling support communications between the PIM and the processing unit in instances where the processing unit is located outside a region proximate a patient table.  
     
     
         3 . The componentized system of  claim 2  wherein a communications link between the PIM and the processing unit includes a buffer amplifier.  
     
     
         4 . The componentized system of  claim 1  wherein a communications link between the processing unit and the monitor extends beyond a region proximate a patient table.  
     
     
         5 . The componentized system of  claim 4  wherein the communications link includes a buffer amplifier.  
     
     
         6 . The componentized system of  claim 1  wherein the processing unit is further adapted to support archiving patient data including images generated by the processing unit.  
     
     
         7 . The componentized system of  claim 1  further comprising a second control panel, and wherein the processing unit supports and processes input from simultaneously actively manipulated control panels.  
     
     
         8 . The componentized system of  claim 7  wherein the second control panel comprises a third party control panel provided by a catheter lab control station distinct from the componentized system.  
     
     
         9 . The componentized system of  claim 1  wherein the components are flexibly integrated with catheter lab infrastructure through a set of connection brackets.  
     
     
         10 . The componentized system of  claim 9  further comprising a set of integration configuration options characterizing a manner in which components are integrated with catheter lab infrastructure.  
     
     
         11 . The componentized system of  claim 1  wherein the control panel comprises a set of controls arranged into a set of regions based upon their workflow roles.  
     
     
         12 . The componentized system of  claim 11  wherein the regions comprise: 
 a setup region including a set of buttons facilitating setup of the system prior to acquiring patient images.    
     
     
         13 . The componentized system of  claim 12  wherein the first region is positioned at a portion of the control panel distal to a user of the control panel.  
     
     
         14 . The componentized system of  claim 11  wherein the regions comprise: 
 an action-oriented region including a set of buttons accessed while acquiring images from a patient.    
     
     
         15 . The componentized system of  claim 14  wherein the action-oriented region is positioned at a portion of the control panel proximal to a user of the control panel.  
     
     
         16 . A multi-region control panel, for an IVUS system, through which a user controls acquisition and display of IVUS image information, the control panel including a physical interface divided into regions/sectors associated with particular workflow functionality, the regions/sectors comprising: 
 a first region including a set of IVUS action controls for controlling patient image data acquisition;    a second region including pointer navigation controls; and    a third region including controls for setting up IVUS operation.    
     
     
         17 . The multi-region control panel of  claim 16  wherein the third region includes a sub-region including a set of controls for selecting modes of IVUS operation.  
     
     
         18 . The multi-region control panel of  claim 16  wherein the pointer navigation controls support multi-button mouse functionality.  
     
     
         19 . The multi-region control panel of  claim 16  wherein the third region is positioned at a portion of the control panel distal to a user of the control panel.  
     
     
         20 . The multi-region control panel of  claim 16  wherein the first region is positioned at a portion of the control panel proximal to a user of the control panel.