System and catheter for image guidance and methods thereof

Abstract

A catheter-based imaging system comprises a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath. and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core. The ultrasonic imaging core is arranged for rotation and linear translation. The system further includes a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core. The system further comprises an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A catheter-based imaging system, comprising:
 a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core, the ultrasonic imaging core being arranged for rotation and linear translation;   a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core; and   an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter is adapted for intracardiac use. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter is adapted for transesophageal use. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, further comprising a compliant balloon at the catheter distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, wherein the catheter comprises an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, wherein the catheter comprises a deflation lumen in fluid communication with the balloon. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, wherein the catheter distal end is in fluid communication with the balloon. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, wherein the catheter is dimensioned for transnasal delivery. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic imaging core comprises at least one transducer. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic imaging core comprises at least one transducer array. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the linear translation control system comprises an ultrasonic piezoelectric motor. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the linear translation system comprises a gear and linkage arm. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the patient interface module comprises a linear translation position sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising an identifier that provides identification of susceptible substrates responsive to ultrasound tissue classifiers. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature monitor that monitors luminal esophageal temperature responsive to ultrasound tissue classifiers. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter-based imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a titrator that maps contiguity and transmurality of ablative lesions responsive to ultrasound tissue classifiers. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, further comprising a stage that stitches scanned image sub-volumes, into a large scanned image volume. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, further comprising a stage responsive to the ultrasonic imaging core for providing synthetic aperture imaging. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, further comprising a stage responsive to the at least one transducer array for providing synthetic aperture imaging. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter-based imaging system of claim, further comprising a stage responsive to the ultrasonic imaging core for providing synthetic aperture beam steering.