Devices, systems, and methods for controlling field of view in imaging systems

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for controlling an intravascular imaging device are provided. For example, in one embodiment a method includes communicating a control signal to an actuator of the intravascular imaging device to cause oscillation of an imaging element of the intravascular imaging device, wherein the intravascular imaging device further includes an acoustic marker; receiving imaging data from the imaging element of the intravascular imaging device; identifying the acoustic marker in the imaging data by determining a correlation between the imaging data and a template representative of the acoustic marker; adjusting an aspect of the control signal based on identifying the acoustic marker; and communicating the adjusted control signal to the actuator of the intravascular imaging device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an ultrasound imaging device comprising:
 a flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the flexible elongate configured to be positioned within an internal structure of a patient; 
 a housing disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; 
 an ultrasound transducer disposed at least partially within the housing at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member and configured emit ultrasonic energy, the ultrasound transducer movable to a plurality of orientations; 
 a reflector configured to reflect the ultrasonic energy, wherein the reflector comprises a surface disposed within an interior of the housing; and 
   a processing system in communication with the ultrasound imaging device, wherein the processing system is configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound transducer based on the reflected ultrasonic energy and to control movement of the ultrasound transducer to the plurality of orientations.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflector is fixedly secured to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the reflector is curved. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the surface of the reflector is concave. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the surface of the reflector extends at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the imaging device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wall that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the imaging device and partially surrounds the ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the wall comprises a curved inner surface, wherein the curved inner surface is the surface disposed within the interior of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the curved inner surface is concave. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is movable about a pivot axis, and wherein the wall is positioned along an axis that is perpendicular to the pivot axis and the longitudinal axis, wherein the wall is spaced from the pivot axis and the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is coupled to the housing via a pivot pin, and wherein the ultrasound imaging device further comprises an actuator configured to cause movement of the ultrasound transducer about a pivot axis. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the housing comprises a first side that extends distally to partially surround the ultrasound transducer, and a second side that is not in a field of view of the ultrasound transducer, and wherein the first side and the second side are disposed on opposing sides of the pivot axis. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processing system is configured to:
 control movement of the actuator by a control signal; and   adjust an aspect of a control signal based on the determined orientation of the ultrasound transducer, and communicate the adjusted control signal to the actuator.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing system is configured to continuously control a field-of-view of the imaging device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing system is configured to:
 cause an initial deflection of the ultrasound transducer across a first field-of-view;   receive ultrasound data from the ultrasound transducer;   identify a region of the ultrasound data as containing position data of the reflector,   define the region as a template representative of the reflector; and   identify the reflector in the ultrasound data by determining a correlation between the ultrasound data and the template representative of the reflector