Imaging probe with combined ultrasound and optical means of imaging

Abstract

The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.

What is therefore claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of displaying co-registered images, said method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a first image and a second image from an imaging catheter configured to obtain images according to two or more imaging modalities, wherein said first image is obtained according to a first imaging modality and said second image is obtained according to a second imaging modality, and wherein said first image and said second image are spatially co-registered; and   dynamically displaying an image comprising one or more portions of said first image and one or more portions of said second image.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more portions of said first image and said one or more portions of said second image vary with time. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said step of dynamically displaying said image comprises the steps of:
 dividing said image into a plurality of sectors, wherein alternating sectors are displayed using alternating imaging modalities; and 
 displaying said image while varying locations of said sectors. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said sectors rotate over time. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more portions of said first image and said one or more portions of said second image are determined according to input from a user. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein said user input comprises an identification of one or more contours. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of dynamically displaying said image comprises the steps of varying a transparency level of one or more of said first image and said second image. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 processing one or more of said first image and said second image to identify one or more tissue types; 
 generating an updated image comprising an indication of said one or more tissue types; and 
 displaying said updated image.