Volumetric image ultrasound transducer underfluid catheter system

Abstract

An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A catheter apparatus, comprising: 
 an elongated body having proximal and distal ends;    an ultrasonic transducer linear phased array mounted proximate the distal end of the elongated body, the array transmitting ultrasound beams and receiving resultant echoes, the array comprising a row of individual transducer segments aligned generally in an azimuthal dimension;    a lens mounted on the array for defocusing the ultrasound beams such that at least some of the beams are directed laterally outward in an elevational dimension which is perpendicular to the azimuthal dimension so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which flow rates can be measured and features imaged; and    an electrical conductor, disposed in the elongated body, electrically connecting the transducer to a control circuitry external of the elongated body.    
     
     
         2 . A catheter apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the lens is a planoconcave lens made from silicone rubber.  
     
     
         3 . A catheter apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the lens is a planoconvex lens made from a plastic material.  
     
     
         4 . A catheter apparatus, comprising: 
 an elongated body having proximal and distal ends;    an ultrasonic transducer linear phased array mounted proximate the distal end of the elongated body, the array transmitting ultrasound beams and receiving resultant echoes, the array comprising a plurality of rows of individual transducer segments, the transducer segments being phased in both an elevation direction of the array as well as an azimuthal direction of the array to produce a volumetric field of view within which flow rates can be measured and features imaged; and    an electrical conductor, disposed in the elongated body, electrically connecting the transducer to a control circuitry external of the elongated body.    
     
     
         5 . A catheter apparatus, comprising: 
 an elongated body having proximal and distal ends;    an ultrasonic transducer linear phased array mounted proximate the distal end of the elongated body, the array transmitting ultrasound beams and receiving resultant echoes, the array comprising equal numbers of rows and columns of individual transducer segments, the transducer segments being phased in both an elevation direction of the array as well as an azimuthal direction of the array to produce a volumetric field of view within which flow rates can be measured and features imaged; and    an electrical conductor, disposed in the elongated body, electrically connecting the transducer to a control circuitry external of the elongated body.    
     
     
         6 . A catheter apparatus for underfluid imaging, intervention, and measuring, comprising: 
 an elongated, flexible body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end being inserted into an underfluid structure;    an ultrasonic transducer linear phased array mounted on the elongated body proximate the distal end of the elongated body, the array producing a volumetric field of view of the underfluid structure in front of the array outside the elongated body, within which features can be imaged, intervened by a therapeutic device, and measured;    a port disposed in the elongated body extending from proximate the proximal end to proximate the distal end of the elongated body for receiving the therapeutic device, the therapeutic device being operated underfluid in the volumetric field of view; and    means for actuating the ultrasonic transducer linear phased array.    
     
     
         7 . A catheter in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising a guidewire port disposed in the elongated body extending from proximate the proximal end to proximate the distal end of the elongated body for receiving a guide wire.  
     
     
         8 . A catheter apparatus, comprising: 
 an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis;    an ultrasound imaging system for transmitting ultrasonic beams and receiving resultant echoes, the ultrasound imaging system including a transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the elongated catheter body and including a plurality of individual transducer segments aligned along an azimuthal dimension that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated catheter body, the ultrasound imaging system being constructed and arranged to spread the ultrasonic beams such that the ultrasonic beams cover a 3-dimensional scanning region, the scanning region being defined by the azimuthal dimension, a depth dimension transversely aligned with respect to the azimuthal dimension, and an elevational dimension transversely aligned with respect to both the depth dimension and the azimuthal dimension.    
     
     
         9 . The catheter apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound imaging system includes a lens for spreading the ultrasonic beams in the elevational dimension.  
     
     
         10 . The catheter apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the transducer array includes multiple rows of transducer segments, and the transducer array is phased in both the elevational dimension and the azimuthal dimension.  
     
     
         11 . The catheter apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the transducer array includes one and one half rows of transducer segments, and the transducer array is phased in both the elevational dimension and the azimuthal dimension.