Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods of guidewire detection in intravascular data sets such as scan lines, frames, images and combinations thereof. Methods of generating one or more indicia of a guidewire in a representation of blood vessel are also features of the disclosure. A carpet view is generated in one embodiment and regions of relatively higher contrast are detected as candidate guidewire regions. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to selective removal of guidewire segments from a set of intravascular data and the display of a representation of a blood vessel via a user interface. Representations of a guidewire can be toggled on and off in one embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimated blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determined and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to systems for imaging a blood vessel using intravascular image data and extravascular image data and methods to calibrate such systems. In one embodiment, multiple calibration trials are performed to determine a plurality of time lag values. A minimum time lag value is used to align intravascular image data and extravascular time lag data in one embodiment.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to systems and methods to assess stent/scaffold expansion in a vessel on an expedited time scale after stent/scaffold placement and expansion. In one embodiment, the method generates a first representation of a stented segment of the blood vessel indicative of a level of stent expansion; determines using the detected stent struts, a first end of the stent and a second end of the stent; and generate a second representation of the segment of the blood vessel by interpolating a lumen profile using an offset distance from the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system and method with integrated pressure measurement. In one embodiment the system includes an interferometer including: a wavelength swept laser; a source arm in communication with the wavelength swept laser; a reference arm in communication with a reference reflector, a first photodetector having a signal output; a detector arm in communication with the first photodetector, a probe interlace; a sample arm in communication with a first optical connector of the probe interface; an acquisition and display system comprising: an A/D converter having a signal input in communication with the first photodetector signal output and a signal output; a processor system in communication with the A/D converter signal output; and a display in communication with the processor system; and a probe comprising a pressure sensor and configured for connection to the first optical connector of the probe interface, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical pressure transducer.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to shadow detection and shadow validation relative to data sets obtained from an intravascular imaging data collection session. The methods can use locally adaptive thresholds and scan line level analysis relative to candidate shadow regions to determine a set of candidate shadows for validation or rejection. In one embodiment, the shadows are stent strut shadows, guidewire shadows, side branch shadows or other shadows.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods of stent strut detection relative to a side branch region using intravascular data. In one embodiment, detecting stent struts relative to jailed side branches is performed using a scan line-based peak analysis. In one embodiment, false positive determinations relating to stent struts are analyzed using a model strut.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in part, to computer-based visualization of stent position within a blood vessel. A stent can be visualized using intravascular data and subsequently displayed as stent struts or portions of a stent as a part of a one or more graphic user interface(s) (GUI). In one embodiment, the method includes steps to distinguish stented region(s) from background noise using an amalgamation of angular stent strut information for a given neighborhood of frames. The GUI can include views of a blood vessel generated using distance measurements and demarcating the actual stented region(s), which provides visualization of the stented region. The disclosure also relates to display of intravascular diagnostic information such as indicators. An indicator can be generated and displayed with images generated using an intravascular data collection system. The indicators can include one or more viewable graphical elements suitable for indicating diagnostic information such as stent information.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to intravascular data collection systems and the software-based visualization and display of intravascular data relating to detected side branches and detected stent struts. Levels of stent malapposition can be defined using a user interface such as a slider, toggle, button, field, or other interface to specify how indicia are displayed relative to detected stent struts. In addition, the disclosure relates to methods to automatically provide a two or three-dimensional visualization suitable for assessing side branch and/or guide wire location during stenting. The method can use one or more a computed side branch location, a branch takeoff angle, one or more stent strut locations, and one or more lumen contours.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a processor based method for generating positional and other information relating to a stent in the lumen of a vessel using a computer. The method includes the steps of generating an optical coherence image data set in response to an OCT scan of a sample containing at least one stent; and identifying at least one one-dimensional local cue in the image data set relating to the position of the stent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Abstract: A data collection system controller that includes a housing such as a cover. The housing includes a user facing section and a support facing section defining a hole. The controller also includes a first input device adjacent the user facing section and a second input device. The second input device includes a knob comprising a third input device and a rotatable shaft extending through the hole and partially disposed within the knob. In one embodiment, the second input device is an XYZ joystick with a button. In one embodiment, the joystick and the first input device are angled relative to each other on either side of an elbow joint. In part, the invention relates to a method of controlling the display of image data obtained with respect to a blood vessel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a probe that a cylindrical marker band defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end and having a band length, the inner surface defining a marker band bore, the cylindrical marker band includes a radiopaque material; a molded unitary lens defining an elongate optical fiber receiving section having a fiber section length and a beam directing surface, wherein the fiber section length and the band length overlap along an overlap distance; and an optical fiber, wherein a first section of the optical fiber is disposed in the optical fiber receiving section, wherein a portion of the first section of the optical fiber is disposed within the marker band bore.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods of stent strut detection relative to a side branch region using intravascular data. In one embodiment, detecting stent struts relative to jailed side branches is performed using a scan line-based peak analysis. In one embodiment, false positive determinations relating to stent struts are analyzed using a model strut.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to intravascular data collections and generation of representations thereof include one or more view of regions associated with side branches or arteries such as a carina or bifurcation. In one embodiment, accessing a set of intravascular data stored in machine readable memory; performing side branch detection with regard to the intravascular data to identify one or more side branches; and identifying a plurality of frames for the one or more side branches is performed. An automatic viewing angle that is toggleable is used in one embodiment.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to methods of guidewire detection in intravascular data sets such as scan lines, frames, images and combinations thereof. Methods of generating one or more indicia of a guidewire in a representation of blood vessel are also features of the disclosure. A carpet view is generated in one embodiment and regions of relatively higher contrast are detected as candidate guidewire regions. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to selective removal of guidewire segments from a set of intravascular data and the display of a representation of a blood vessel via a user interface. Representations of a guidewire can be toggled on and off in one embodiment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of vascular system and peripheral vascular system data collection, imaging, image processing and feature detection relating thereto. In part, the disclosure more specifically relates to methods for detecting position and size of contrast cloud in an x-ray image including with respect to a sequence of x-ray images during intravascular imaging. Methods of detecting and extracting metallic wires from x-ray images are also described herein such as guidewires used in coronary procedures. Further, methods for of registering vascular trees for one or more images, such as in sequences of x-ray images, are disclosed. In part, the disclosure relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images. The registration can be performed relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Abstract: A method and apparatus of automatically locating in an image of a blood vessel the lumen boundary at a position in the vessel and from that measuring the diameter of the vessel. From the diameter of the vessel and estimate blood flow rate, a number of clinically significant physiological parameters are then determine and various user displays of interest generated. One use of these images and parameters is to aid the clinician in the placement of a stent. The system, in one embodiment, uses these measurements to allow the clinician to simulate the placement of a stent and to determine the effect of the placement. In addition, from these patient parameters various patient treatments are then performed.