Abstract: A system comprises an imaging device for imaging within a body of a patient. The imaging device comprises a flexible elongate member and an imaging assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly comprises an array of imaging elements and a plurality of electronic components configured to perform an electrical function associated with imaging within the body of the patient using the array of imaging elements. Each of the plurality of electronic components is radiopaque such that the plurality of electronic components comprises a radiopaque pattern at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. A method of imaging within a patient body comprises receiving a radiographic image representative of an ultrasound imaging device positioned within the patient body and determining an orientation of the ultrasound imaging device using a radiopaque pattern of a plurality of electronic components in the radiographic image.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A device for imaging within a body of a patient is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a flexible elongate member that can be inserted into the body of the patient. The device also has an imaging assembly that is disposed at and extending a length of a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly may include an array of imaging elements that may have an outward surface and an inward surface. The imaging assembly may further include an integrated circuit adjacent to the inward surface of the array of imaging elements. The device may further include a conductive plate adjacent to and extending at least a portion of a length of the imaging assembly. The conductive plate may receive heat generated by at least one of the array of imaging elements or the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A device for imaging within a body of a patient is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a flexible elongate member that can be inserted into the body of the patient. The device also has an imaging assembly that is disposed at and extending a length of a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly may include an array (302) of imaging elements that may have an outward surface and an inward surface. The imaging assembly may further include an integrated circuit (304) adjacent to the inward surface of the array of imaging elements. The device may further include a conductive plate (375) adjacent to and extending at least a portion of a length of the imaging assembly. The conductive plate may receive heat generated by at least one of the array of imaging elements or the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An intraluminal sensing system is provided that includes an intraluminal device. The intraluminal device has a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, and an ultrasound sensor at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound sensor is configured to emit an ultrasound pulse in a longitudinal within the body lumen, and to receive Doppler-shifted echoes from the ultrasound pulse. A processor circuit in communication with the ultrasound sensor is configured to: compute a velocity spectrum of particles moving within the body lumen based on the Doppler-shifted echoes; identify features in the velocity spectrum indicative of a lateral position or angular alignment of the ultrasound sensor within the body lumen; and output, to a display in communication with the processor circuit, positioning guidance for the intraluminal device based on the identified features in the velocity spectrum.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An intraluminal medical imaging interface device includes an arm assembly comprising one or more longitudinal members and one or more joints coupled to the one or more longitudinal members, and a head assembly coupled to a distal portion of the arm assembly and comprising a proximal portion coupled to the distal portion of the arm assembly and a distal portion. The distal portion of the head assembly includes a mechanical coupling and an electrical coupling configured to separably connect to an intraluminal imaging catheter and to transmit electrical signals between a console and the intraluminal imaging catheter. The arm assembly is configured to couple to a surface to maintain the head assembly at a first position and an orientation with respect to a patient without continued support by an operator. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A device for imaging within a body of a patient is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a flexible elongate member that can be inserted into the body of the patient. The device also has an imaging assembly that is disposed at and extending a length of a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly may include an array (302) of imaging elements that may have an outward surface and an inward surface. The imaging assembly may further include an integrated circuit (304) adjacent to the inward surface of the array of imaging elements. The device may further include a conductive plate (375) adjacent to and extending at least a portion of a length of the imaging assembly. The conductive plate may receive heat generated by at least one of the array of imaging elements or the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An intraluminal imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the imaging device includes a flexible elongate member that may be inserted into a body lumen within a patient. The flexible elongate member may define a longitudinal axis. The imaging device also has an imaging assembly that is disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly may have a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements disposed around the longitudinal axis. The imaging assembly further includes a first integrated circuit controller in communication with the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The first integrated circuit controller may be annularly shaped. In some embodiments, the imaging assembly may include a second integrated circuit controller in communication with the ultrasound transducer elements and the first integrated circuit controller. The second integrated circuit controller may be annularly shaped.

Abstract: A system comprises an imaging device for imaging within a body of a patient. The imaging device comprises a flexible elongate member and an imaging assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly comprises in an array of imaging elements and a plurality of electronic components configured to perform an electrical function associated with imaging within the body of the patient using the array of imaging elements. Each of the plurality of electronic components is radiopaque such that the plurality of electronic components comprises a radiopaque pattern at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. A method of imaging within a patient body comprises receiving a radiographic image representative of an ultrasound imaging device positioned within the patient body and determining an orientation of the ultrasound imaging device using a radiopaque pattern of a plurality of electronic components in the radiographic image.

Abstract: Improved wiring arrangements for sensor catheters are provided to reduce wire-to-wire cross-talk wherein wires connecting the sensor of the sensor catheter to a processing unit are divided into a plurality of wire bundles contained within respective sheaths, with the wires in wire bundle twisted together reduce electromagnetic signal interference among the individual wires, or between wire bundles.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console.

Abstract: Improved wiring arrangements for sensor catheters are provided to reduce wire-to-wire cross-talk wherein wires connecting the sensor of the sensor catheter to a processing unit are divided into a plurality of wire bundles contained within respective sheaths, with the wires in wire bundle twisted together reduce electromagnetic signal interference among the individual wires, or between wire bundles.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter assembly having a rotatable transducer assembly is disclosed. The ultrasound catheter assembly includes an elongate flexible shaft having a lumen and a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter assembly further includes a drive member that engages the transducer assembly at a distal end of the catheter. Rotation of the drive member in a first direction causes the transducer assembly to rotate in an oscillatory fashion in a second direction.

Abstract: Endoscopic surgical apparatuses and methods are described. An endoscopic apparatus comprises an elongate shaft, an inflatable element, an instrument base, and an imaging source. The elongate shaft comprises a steerable distal tip, locating feature(s) proximal of the steerable distal tip, inflation inlet(s) adjacent the locating feature(s), and a working channel. The inflatable element is slid over the elongate shaft to removably couple to the elongate shaft at the locating feature(s), thereby placing the inflatable element in fluid communication with the inflation inlet(s). The instrument base is coupled to a proximal end of the elongate shaft and can be coupled to a robotic system. The robotic system articulates the steerable distal tip through the instrument base to perform a procedure in an anatomical lumen. The robotic system can also advance and retract the endoscopic apparatus through the anatomical lumen. The imaging source is located at the steerable distal tip.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console.