Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to systems and methods of detecting struts in a blood vessel. In one embodiment, an intravascular data collection system and an intravascular data collection probe are used. An exemplary method may include one or more of the following steps converting an image of a blood vessel into an image mask, the image includes struts of a bioresorbable scaffold; inverting the image mask to create an inverted image mask, detecting an insular group of bright/signal containing pixels; and filtering the insular group of bright/signal containing pixels using one or more morphological filters to identify candidate struts; and validating the candidate struts to identify one or more struts of the bioresorbable scaffold.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to an automated method of branch detection with regard to a blood vessel imaged using an intravascular modality such as OCT, IVUS, or other imaging modalities. In one embodiment, a representation of A-lines and frames generated using an intravascular imaging system is used to identify candidate branches of a blood vessel. One or more operators such as filters can be applied to remove false positives associated with other detections.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to systems and methods of calibrating a plurality of frames generated with respect to a blood vessel as a result of a pullback of an intravascular imaging probe being pullback through the vessel. A calibration feature disposed in the frames that changes between a subset of the frames can be used to perform calibration. Calibration can be performed post-pullback. Various filters and image processing techniques can be used to identify one or more feature in the frames including, without limitation, a calibration feature, a guidewire, a side branch, a stent strut, a lumen of the blood vessel, and other features. The feature can be displayed using a graphic user interface.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to systems and methods of calibrating a plurality of frames generated with respect to a blood vessel as a result of a pullback of an intravascular imaging probe being pullback through the vessel. A calibration feature disposed in the frames that changes between a subset of the frames can be used to perform calibration. Calibration can be performed post-pullback. Various filters and image processing techniques can be used to identify one or more feature in the frames including, without limitation, a calibration feature, a guidewire, a side branch, a stent strut, a lumen of the blood vessel, and other features. The feature can be displayed using a graphic user interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in a laser ring is chosen to provide low polarization-dependent gain (PDG) and a booster semiconductor optical amplifier, outside of the ring, is chosen to provide high polarization-dependent gain. The use of a semiconductor optical amplifier with low polarization-dependent gain nearly eliminates variations in the polarization state of the light at the output of the laser, but does not eliminate the intra-sweep variations in the polarization state at the output of the laser, which can degrade the performance of the SS-OCT system.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to an image data collection system. The system can include an interferometer having a reference arm that includes a first optical fiber of length of L1 and a sample arm that includes a second optical fiber of length of L2 and a first rotary coupler configured to interface with an optical tomography imaging probe, wherein the rotary coupler is in optical communication with the sample arm. In one embodiment, L2 is greater than about 5 meters. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber can both be disposed in a common protective sheath. In one embodiment, the system further includes an optical element configured to adjust the optical path length of the reference arm, wherein the optical element is in optical communication with the reference arm and wherein the optical element is transmissive or reflective.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to computer-based methods, devices, and systems suitable for detecting a delivery catheter using intravascular data. In one embodiment, the delivery catheter is used to position the intravascular data collection probe. The probe can collect data suitable for generating one or more representations of a blood vessel with respect to which the delivery catheter can be detected.

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: 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 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 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 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 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 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: 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: In one aspect, the invention relates to a computer-implemented method of triggering optical coherence tomography data collection. The method includes collecting optical coherence tomography data with respect to a vessel using an optical coherence tomography probe disposed in the vessel; determining a clearing radius and a quality value for each frame of optical coherence tomography data collected for the vessel using a computer; determining if a blood clearing state has occurred using at least one clearing radius and at least one quality value; and generating a trigger signal in response to the blood clearing state.

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: In part, the invention relates to frequency-domain optical coherence tomography system. The system includes a tunable laser comprising a laser output for transmitting laser light and a laser cavity having a length L, a gain element disposed within the laser cavity; a tunable wavelength selective element disposed within the laser cavity; a reference reflector disposed outside of the laser cavity; an interferometer in optical communication with the laser output and the reference reflector, wherein the interferometer is configured to transmit a portion of the laser light to a sample and combine light scattered from the sample with light scattered from the reference reflector; and a detector in optical communication with the interferometer that receives the combination of light scattered from the sample and the light scattered from the reference reflector and transforms the combination of light into an electronic signal comprising measurement data with respect to the sample.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to optical caps having at least one lensed surface configured to redirect and focus light outside of the cap. The cap is placed over an optical fiber. Optical radiation travels through the fiber and interacts with the optical surface or optical surfaces of the cap, resulting in a beam that is either focused at a distance outside of the cap or substantially collimated. The optical elements such as the elongate caps described herein can be used with various data collection modalities such optical coherence tomography. In part, the invention relates to a lens assembly that includes a micro-lens; a beam director in optical communication with the micro-lens; and a substantially transparent film or cover. The substantially transparent film is capable of bi-directionally transmitting light, and generating a controlled amount of backscatter. The film can surround a portion of the beam director.

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.