Abstract: A drive unit includes: a scanner unit to which a catheter is connectable, an imaging core that executes tomographic imaging and that is positioned in the catheter; and a pull-back unit configured to support the scanner unit such that the scanner unit is displaceable. The drive unit includes a hold unit configured to control a non-hold state in which scanner unit displacement is not restricted and a hold state in which scanner unit displacement is restricted, a driving unit configured to rotationally drive the catheter imaging core, a switching input unit configured to receive a switching input of the hold state and the non-hold state, and a control unit configured to, when a switching input operation from the hold state to the non-hold state is detected while the imaging core is not rotationally driven, rotationally drive the imaging core and then set the scanner unit to the non-hold state.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for downsizing a motor drive unit (MDU) and improving durability in an imaging apparatus for diagnosis. In the motor drive unit, when a catheter connector is connected, a motor drive unit connector (MDU connector) for being connected to the catheter connector has a shape which accommodates the catheter connector in order to optically connect an optical fiber of a cylindrical member of a catheter and an optical fiber leading from the imaging apparatus for diagnosis to each other, and in order to connect an electrical contact portion of the catheter and an optical/electrical signal line leading from the imaging apparatus for diagnosis to each other. Then, the motor drive unit has a structure, which supports a center position of an end portion of the optical fiber exposed from the cylindrical member of the catheter, as a rotation center position of an imaging core.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for diagnosis is disclosed, which has a motor drive unit (MDU) configured to be connected to a catheter, and which generates a vascular optical coherence tomographic image and an ultrasound tomographic image of a subject, based on a signal output from the catheter. The apparatus includes a first inspection unit that inspects the presence or absence of the ultrasound transceiver, based on intensity distribution of the electric signal of the reflected wave which is obtained by a first drive unit, and a second inspection unit that generates line image data in a radial direction, regarding a position of the imaging core as an origin, based on the electric signal of the interference light which is obtained by a second drive unit, and that inspects the presence or absence of the optical transceiver, based on pixel data distribution within a predetermined range from a position of the origin.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for downsizing a motor drive unit (MDU) and improving durability in an imaging apparatus for diagnosis. In the motor drive unit, when a catheter connector is connected, a motor drive unit connector (MDU connector) for being connected to the catheter connector has a shape which accommodates the catheter connector in order to optically connect an optical fiber of a cylindrical member of a catheter and an optical fiber leading from the imaging apparatus for diagnosis to each other, and in order to connect an electrical contact portion of the catheter and an optical/electrical signal line leading from the imaging apparatus for diagnosis to each other. Then, the motor drive unit has a structure, which supports a center position of an end portion of the optical fiber exposed from the cylindrical member of the catheter, as a rotation center position of an imaging core.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for diagnosis is disclosed, which has a motor drive unit (MDU) configured to be connected to a catheter, and which generates a vascular optical coherence tomographic image and an ultrasound tomographic image of a subject, based on a signal output from the catheter. The apparatus includes a first inspection unit that inspects the presence or absence of the ultrasound transceiver, based on intensity distribution of the electric signal of the reflected wave which is obtained by a first drive unit, and a second inspection unit that generates line image data in a radial direction, regarding a position of the imaging core as an origin, based on the electric signal of the interference light which is obtained by a second drive unit, and that inspects the presence or absence of the optical transceiver, based on pixel data distribution within a predetermined range from a position of the origin.

Abstract: A connection device is disclosed in which information transmission cables can be reliably connected to each other while jamming is prevented from occurring in the connection device, and an imaging apparatus provided with the connection device. The connection device can include an adapter fixing member internally having a guide member. Inside the guide member, there is provided a helical guide surface formed in one direction in order to perform an operation in which a projection portion of a connector fixing member is guided in a manner of gyrating around a central axis of a first optical fiber cable as a first information transmission cable and a second optical fiber cable as a second information transmission cable, when the connector fixing member is inserted.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus mounted with an imaging probe having a transmitting and receiving unit which carries out signal transmission and reception continuously, comprises: a scanner unit; a pull-back unit; and an operation unit, wherein on the side surface of the scanner unit, there are formed, at positions where facing each other, a convex portion formed for a predetermined length along the straight-ahead direction of the scanner unit, and a concave portion having an upper end surface which forms an identical surface as a lower end surface of the convex portion.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus mounted with an imaging probe having a transmitting and receiving unit which carries out signal transmission and reception continuously, comprises: a scanner unit; a pull-back unit; and an operation unit, wherein on the side surface of the scanner unit, there are formed, at positions where facing each other, a convex portion formed for a predetermined length along the straight-ahead direction of the scanner unit, and a concave portion having an upper end surface which forms an identical surface as a lower end surface of the convex portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system includes an imaging catheter and an imaging apparatus. The imaging catheter has an insert for being inserted into a blood vessel, a transducer disposed in the insert, and at least one temperature sensor disposed in the insert. The temperature sensor measures the intravascular temperature in a radial direction of the blood vessel and rotates to measure an intravascular temperature distribution in a transverse cross section of the blood vessel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system includes an imaging catheter and an imaging apparatus. The imaging catheter has an insert for being inserted into a blood vessel, a transducer disposed in the insert, and at least one temperature sensor disposed in the insert. The temperature sensor measures the intravascular temperature in a radial direction of the blood vessel and rotates to measure an intravascular temperature distribution in a transverse cross section of the blood vessel.