Abstract: An interface system for ultrasound measurements, the system including a computer display configured for displaying ultrasound measurements. The system includes one or more processors programmed and configured to receive distance measurements between an ultrasound probe and a lumen wall over different times and longitudinal positions of the lumen wall, each measurement respectively based on an ultrasound signal from a transducer proximate to the lumen wall. Based on the calculated distances, a shape of a cross-section of the lumen is determined. The one or more processors cause the computer display to simultaneously generate a plurality of representations of the lumen indicating differences in size and geometry between the respective shapes.

Abstract: A system for processing acoustic signals that includes a digital signal module and an analog signal module. The digital signal module is configured to generate a digital excitation pulse for activating one or more ultrasound transducers and is configured to receive a digital return signal representing a responsive return signal from the ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: A method of ultrasound measuring including transmitting ultrasound signals from a plurality of ultrasound transducers toward a structure at a first resonant frequency of the transducers. Ultrasound signals are received from the structure in response to the transmitted ultrasound signals and a determination is made of whether each of the plurality of transducers is within a proximity threshold of the structure. Based on determining that a transducer is within the threshold, ultrasound signals are transmitted from the transducer toward the structure at a second resonant frequency lower than the first resonant frequency. A distance between each of the plurality of transducers and the structure is calculated based on the ultrasound signals received from the structure in response to the transmitted ultrasound signals at the first resonant frequency and/or second resonant frequency and the shape and metrics of the structure are determined.

Abstract: The invention in a preferred embodiment is an elongated member such as a catheter that uses ultrasound or optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology to approximate the dimensions of a structure into which the catheter has been placed. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes multiple ultrasound transducers arranged in an annular or circumferential configuration on, embedded into or within the body of the elongated member so that distance measurements can be obtained between the elongated member and the wall of the immediately facing structure (e.g., a fluid-filled lumen). Utilizing these measurements, the present invention approximates for the physician the shape and size of the structure into which the elongated member is placed. The invention also includes a method for producing three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel implementation of ultrasound or OCT technology to approximate the dimensions of fluid-filled structures (when using ultrasound technology) or other structures (when using OCT technology). The invention in a preferred embodiment is an elongated member such as a catheter that uses ultrasound or OCT technology to approximate the dimensions of a structure into which the catheter has been placed. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes multiple ultrasound transducers arranged in an annular or circumferential configuration on, embedded into or within the body of the elongated member so that distance measurements can be obtained between the elongated member and the wall of the immediately facing structure (e.g., a fluid-filled lumen). Utilizing these measurements, the present invention approximates for the physician the shape and size of the structure into which the elongated member is placed.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly that includes a piezoelectric layer configured to resonate and generate ultrasound signals around a predetermined ultrasound frequency in which the piezoelectric layer has a width to thickness ratio of at least about 0.6. A conductive matching layer is connected to the top surface of the piezoelectric layer to condition the ultrasound transducer for broad frequency bandwidth operation. A conductive backing layer is connected to the bottom surface of the piezoelectric layer. The ultrasound transducer assembly further includes a rigid body over which the conductive backing layer is positioned, the rigid body assembled for encompassing a central longitudinal axis of a catheter body. A signal and ground electrode may form a metallic layer over the top of or below each of the piezoelectric layers. Electrical waveguides may be connected to corresponding signal and ground electrodes of the transducers.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel implementation of ultrasound or OCT technology to approximate the dimensions of fluid-filled structures (when using ultrasound technology) or other structures (when using OCT technology). The invention in a preferred embodiment is an elongated member such as a catheter that uses ultrasound or OCT technology to approximate the dimensions of a structure into which the catheter has been placed. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes multiple ultrasound transducers arranged in an annular or circumferential configuration on, embedded into or within the body of the elongated member so that distance measurements can be obtained between the elongated member and the wall of the immediately facing structure (e.g., a fluid-filled lumen). Utilizing these measurements, the present invention approximates for the physician the shape and size of the structure into which the elongated member is placed.

Abstract: An elongated member such as a catheter that uses ultrasound or optical coherence tomography “OCT”) technology to approximate the dimensions of a structure into which the catheter has been placed. The catheter includes multiple ultrasound transducers arranged in an annular or circumferential configuration on, embedded into or within the body of the elongated member so that distance measurements can be obtained between the elongated member and the wall of the immediately facing structure (e.g., a fluid-filled lumen). Utilizing these measurements, the present invention approximates for the physician the shape and size of the structure into which the elongated member is placed. The invention also includes a method for producing three-dimensional images from two-dimensional images.

Abstract: The invention describes a novel implementation of ultrasound or OCT technology to approximate the dimensions of fluid-filled structures (when using ultrasound technology) or other structures (when using OCT technology). The invention in a preferred embodiment is an elongated member such as a catheter that uses ultrasound or OCT technology to approximate the dimensions of a structure into which the catheter has been placed. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes multiple ultrasound transducers arranged in an annular or circumferential configuration on, embedded into or within the body of the elongated member so that distance measurements can be obtained between the elongated member and the wall of the immediately facing structure (e.g., a fluid-filled lumen). Utilizing these measurements, the present invention approximates for the physician the shape and size of the structure into which the elongated member is placed.