Abstract: The system includes a catheter with an internal optical fiber that carries an optical beam and an optical element, which reflects the optical beam substantially orthogonal to a rotational axis of the catheter and is coupled to the end of the optical fiber. A motor drive unit (MDU) is coupled to the catheter, wherein the MDU comprises: a rotary collimator; a catheter interface, which couples the optical fiber to the rotary collimator; and a drive motor, which rotates the rotary collimator. The MDU also includes a first dichroic mirror that combines optical paths for a fluorescence-lifetime imaging (FLIm) system and an optical coherence tomography system into a single optical path, which is coupled to the optical fiber through the rotary collimator and the catheter interface. The MDU additionally includes a multispectral detector for the FLIm system, which is electrically coupled to a data acquisition unit forthe FLIm imagin system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that implements a side-viewing imaging catheter. This system includes a catheter sheath enclosing an imaging core, wherein the imaging core resents an internal optical channel coupled to an optical element located at the distal end of the imaging core. The optical element includes an internal reflective surface that reflects and focuses light transmitted via the optical channel in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis of the catheter toward a target location, and returns reflected light from the target location back through the optical channel. This internal reflective surface of the optical element is shaped to focus the light so that a resulting beam shape at the target location has a small cross section area and substantially equal axial and transaxial dimensions.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to multimodal imaging system comprising a fiber-coupled fluorescence imaging system, which operates based on ultra-violet (UV) excitation light, and a fiber-coupled optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system. The multimodal imaging system also includes a fiber optic interface comprising a single optical fiber, which facilitates light delivery to a sample-of-interest and collection of returned optical signals for both the fluorescence imaging system and the OCT imaging system. During operation of the system, the single optical fiber carries both UV light and coherent infrared light through two concentric light-guiding regions, thereby facilitating generation of precisely co-registered optical data from the fluorescence imaging system and the OCT imaging system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to multimodal imaging system, comprising: a fiber-coupled fluorescence imaging system, which operates based on ultra-violet (UV) excitation light; and a fiber-coupled optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system. The multimodal imaging system also includes a fiber optic interface comprising a single optical fiber, which facilitates light delivery to a sample-of-interest and collection of returned optical signals for both the fluorescence imaging system and the OCT imaging system. During operation of the system, the single optical fiber carries both UV light and coherent infrared light through two concentric light-guiding regions, thereby facilitating generation of precisely co-registered optical data from the fluorescence imaging system and the OCT imaging system.

Abstract: A multimodal intravascular catheter system includes a catheter with an optical channel and an electrical channel. A distal end of the catheter includes an optical element and an ultrasonic transducer, which are oriented orthogonally to a rotational axis of the catheter. A motor drive unit (MDU) is coupled to a proximal end of the catheter and includes a drive motor to rotate the catheter. The optical channel directs light from a pulsed UV laser source to the optical element, and returns an optical fluorescence signal from the optical element. A photodetector converts the returned optical fluorescence signal into an electrical fluorescence signal. An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) processor is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer through the electrical channel, wherein the IVUS processor generates a drive signal for the ultrasound transducer, and processes echo information returned from the ultrasound transducer. Finally, a digitizer samples the electrical fluorescence signal and associated echo information.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to multimodal imaging system, comprising: a fiber-coupled fluorescence imaging system, which operates based on ultra-violet (UV) excitation light; and a fiber-coupled optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system. The multimodal imaging system also includes a fiber optic interface comprising a single optical fiber, which facilitates light delivery to a sample-of-interest and collection of returned optical signals for both the fluorescence imaging system and the OCT imaging system. During operation of the system, the single optical fiber carries both UV light and coherent infrared light through two concentric light-guiding regions, thereby facilitating generation of precisely co-registered optical data from the fluorescence imaging system and the OCT imaging system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that implements a side-viewing imaging catheter. This system includes a catheter sheath enclosing an imaging core, wherein the imaging core presents an internal optical channel coupled to an optical element located at the distal end of the imaging core. The optical element includes an internal reflective surface that reflects and focuses light transmitted via the optical channel in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis of the catheter toward a target location, and returns reflected light from the target location back through the optical channel. This internal reflective surface of the optical element is shaped to focus the light so that a resulting beam shape at the target location has a small cross section area and substantially equal axial and transaxial dimensions.

Abstract: A multimodal intravascular catheter system includes a catheter with an optical channel and an electrical channel. A distal end of the catheter includes an optical element and an ultrasonic transducer, which are oriented orthogonally to a rotational axis of the catheter. A motor drive unit (MDU) is coupled to a proximal end of the catheter and includes a drive motor to rotate the catheter. The optical channel directs light from a pulsed UV laser source to the optical element, and returns an optical fluorescence signal from the optical element. A photodetector converts the returned optical fluorescence signal into an electrical fluorescence signal. An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) processor is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer through the electrical channel, wherein the IVUS processor generates a drive signal for the ultrasound transducer, and processes echo information returned from the ultrasound transducer. Finally, a digitizer samples the electrical fluorescence signal and associated echo information.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that displays an image of the characteristics of the biological tissue. During operation, the system enables a user to illuminate a measurement location in an area of interest on the biological tissue by manipulating a point measurement probe, wherein the point measurement probe delivers both an excitation beam and an overlapping aiming beam that is visible to a camera. Next, the system obtains fluorescence information from a fluorescence signal emitted from the measurement location in response to the excitation beam. The system then captures an image of the area of interest using the camera and identifies a portion of the image that corresponds to the measurement location by identifying a location illuminated by the aiming beam. Finally, the system generates an overlay image by overlaying the fluorescence information onto the portion of the image that corresponds to the measurement location, and then displays the overlay image to a user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that displays an image of the characteristics of the biological tissue. During operation, the system enables a user to illuminate a measurement location in an area of interest on the biological tissue by manipulating a point measurement probe, wherein the point measurement probe delivers both an excitation beam and an overlapping aiming beam that is visible to a camera. Next, the system obtains fluorescence information from a fluorescence signal emitted from the measurement location in response to the excitation beam. The system then captures an image of the area of interest using the camera and identifies a portion of the image that corresponds to the measurement location by identifying a location illuminated by the aiming beam. Finally, the system generates an overlay image by overlaying the fluorescence information onto the portion of the image that corresponds to the measurement location, and then displays the overlay image to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a positron emission tomography (PET) kit are described. A PET detector kit may include a gantry, a plurality of PET detector modules, and an event processing device. A PET detector module may include a housing, a crystal, a light detector, and a communication component. The housing may include at least one connective element configured to removably and adjustably couple the PET detector module to the gantry. The crystal may be located within the housing. The light detector may be configured to detect light emitted by the crystal. The communication component may be configured to communicate data from the at least one light detector to an event processing device. The event processing device may receive data from the plurality of PET detector modules and may cause the one or more processors to determine coincidence events based on the received data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a positron emission tomography (PET) kit are described. A PET detector kit may include a gantry, a plurality of PET detector modules, and an event processing device. A PET detector module may include a housing, a crystal, a light detector, and a communication component. The housing may include at least one connective element configured to removably and adjustably couple the PET detector module to the gantry. The crystal may be located within the housing. The light detector may be configured to detect light emitted by the crystal. The communication component may be configured to communicate data from the at least one light detector to an event processing device. The event processing device may receive data from the plurality of PET detector modules and may cause the one or more processors to determine coincidence events based on the received data.