Abstract: An electromechanical drive system with drop-in capability allows manipulation of the majority of existing endoscopes. The invention does not require retrofitting of existing endoscopes and maintains the current clinical workflow. The drive system can be controlled through a human/machine interface, which could consist of a variety of different input devices, including a joystick, keyboard, or game controller.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for diagnosis and associated control method constructs multiple cross-sectional images in an axial direction inside the body lumen based on line data generated by radially operating a transmitting and receiving unit, and includes a receiving mechanism which receives a count value from a reference position of the transmitting and receiving unit, storage for storing the count value and the line data correlated with each other, an arrangement for constructing a longitudinal-sectional image by aligning the line data based on the count value, a display which displays the longitudinal-sectional image; and a mechanism which reads out line data correlated with the same count value as that of the line data disposed at the position appointed by the user on the displayed longitudinal-sectional image and reconstructing the cross-sectional image.

Abstract: When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is capable of displaying an elastic image, enabling an accurate and easy identification of tissue characteristics of a diagnostic part. Elasticity data regarding a test object is obtained based on a received signal of an ultrasonic probe, and an elastic image representing a distribution of the elasticity data of the test object is generated. A display mode setting means sets a display mode of the elastic image in such a manner that a different tissue can be identified based on a value of the elasticity data. In this case, the display mode is differentiated by the value of the elasticity data within one tissue. With this configuration, the tissue characteristics of the diagnostic part are identified by the elasticity data, and displayed in a different display mode, thereby displaying an elastic image identifiable accurately and easily.

Abstract: A module for attachment to a medical instrument to scan the anatomy with a beam of radiation. The module comprising a housing suitable for insertion in the anatomy that includes a window and a fastener to attach the housing to a medical instrument, an oscillating reflector within the housing that directs a beam of radiation onto the anatomy, and a collector to receive radiation returned from the anatomy.

Abstract: There are provided embodiments for providing additional information. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire first ultrasound data and second ultrasound data corresponding to a living body; and a processing unit configured to form a brightness mode image based on the first ultrasound data, set at least one sample volume on the brightness mode image, and form blood flow information corresponding to blood flow in the living body based on the second ultrasound data corresponding to the at least one sample volume, the processing unit being further configured to form additional information corresponding to a change of the blood flow with a time based on the blood flow information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a minimally invasive procedure in an automated or semi-automated fashion, where an imaging probe having an imaging modality compatible with the presence of an intraluminal medium is employed to record images that are processed to identify regions of interest and direct a medium displacement operation during a subsequent minimally invasive operation that benefits from the displacement of the intraluminal medium. The minimally invasive operation may include recording images with a second imaging modality, or may be a therapeutic treatment. The method is may be performed in real-time, where images obtained from the first imaging modality are processed in real time to determine whether or not the minimally invasive operation is to be performed at a given position.

Abstract: An embodiment analyzes a body part of a patient, which patient is perfused with a contrast agent that is capable of circulating within the patient and of being substantially immobilized on a biological target. An embodiment of a corresponding system provides an echo signal that is indicative of a response over time to an interrogation signal of the body part, fits the echo signal with a time model function that models an evolution over time of the contrast agent in the body part, the time model function including a combination of a circulation function that models the circulation of the contrast agent and a decay function that models a decay of the echo signal from the immobilized contrast agent, and estimates at least one kinetics indicator of the contrast agent from the time model function.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for determining the position of an esophageal catheter that is inserted into the esophagus of a patient, the catheter having a number of electrodes, muscular activity of the diaphragm is stimulated by applying a stimulus signal that produces a myoelectrical signal in the diaphragm having a well-defined peak at a specific point in time. The myoelectrical signal is detected by respective pairs of electrodes of said catheter, and the electrode pair or pairs that detected the signal having the highest amplitude at the specific point in time is identified. If this electrode pair or these electrode pairs that detected the signal with highest amplitude are not located approximately at the middle of the catheter, an indication is emitted that the position of the catheter should be adjusted.

Abstract: An imaging catheter system is provided, including a hollow lumen having a distal portion, and a plurality of first transducer elements arranged in a first array configured to be received within the distal portion of the hollow lumen. Each of the first transducer elements include a micromachined piezocomposite, and the plurality of first transducer elements is configured to operate at an effective operational frequency of greater than about 30 MHz. A plurality of second transducer elements configured to operate at an effective operational frequency of less than about 15 MHz may be arranged in a second array, each of the second transducer elements including a micromachined piezocomposite, and engaged with the first array. The low frequency array may be operated in a transmit mode and the high frequency array may be operated in a receive mode to facilitate contrast imaging.

Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound “(IVUS”) device having an intrinsic or attachable needle guide is disclosed. In some embodiments, a sheath having a needle guide is used in connection with an IVUS device. The devices may be used in performing minimally invasive image-guided surgical procedures. The devices may be configured to maintain a needle placed through guide in the plane of the IVUS-array to improve visualization of the needle. In some embodiments, the device is used to facilitate the creation of a tract through the liver from the inferior vena cava to the portal vein using IVUS-guidance in a direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt procedure. The devices, systems, and methods can improve patient safety by decreasing the risk of off-target punctures, decrease procedure times, and allow procedures to be performed from a single access site.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a Time Gain Compenstaion (TGC) feature in an ultrasound device using a touchpad or similar device, which eliminates the need for mechanical potentiometers. The touchpad is segmented into one or more rows, wherein each row is mapped to a corresponding depth of an image. In order to set a required TGC gain setting of a particular depth of the image, a user moves his/her finger across the face of the touchpad such that the desired gain curve can be set. Finer adjustments can be done by moving the finger in the desired horizontal area of the touchpad. The mapping of the effective depths is indicated by horizontal lines on the touchpad as well as on the screen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The dental ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a housing located to be close to teeth and gums during insertion of the housing into a mouth of an object, and an acoustic portion provided inside the housing to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave. The diagnostic apparatus may diagnoses tissue, foreign bodies, innervation, disease condition, lesions, and the like by ultrasonically imaging a gum, a lip, a palate, and a tongue in the mouth.

Abstract: An ultrasound medical treatment system includes an end effector insertable into a patient. The end effector includes a tissue-retaining device. The tissue-retaining device includes a first tissue-retaining member having an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer and includes a second tissue-retaining member. The first and second tissue-retaining members are operatively connected together to retain patient tissue between the first and second tissue-retaining members and to release patient tissue so retained. In one example, the second tissue-retaining member has an ultrasound reflector. In the same or a different example, the ultrasound medical-treatment transducer is an ultrasound imaging and medical-treatment transducer.

Abstract: A method for real-time displaying of cross-sectional images during an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging procedure includes, during an intravascular ultrasound imaging procedure, receiving electrical signals from at least one transducer in a catheter as the at least one transducer rotates and moves longitudinally along a lumen of a patient blood vessel; during the intravascular ultrasound imaging procedure, processing the received electrical signals to form a series of cross-sectional images that are longitudinally-offset from one another along a length of the lumen; during the intravascular ultrasound imaging procedure, concurrently displaying i) a most recent image and ii) a previous image that is either a) selected by the operator or b) automatically selected as having a maximum or minimum of a selected image characteristic; and, during the intravascular ultrasound imaging procedure, updating the display of the most recent image as a new image from the series of cross-sectional images is processed.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is described herein for insertion into a cavity such as a blood vessel to facilitate imaging within a vasculature. The catheter comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer, and a sonic reflector. The elongate flexible shaft has a proximate end and a distal end. A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is mounted to the shaft near the distal end. The reflector is positioned such that a reflective surface redirects ultrasonic waves to and from the transducer. In other embodiments, the catheter comprises a plurality of cMUT elements and operates without the use of reflectors. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry is incorporated into the design.

Abstract: A dental ultrasonography probe includes a probe tip having a scanning ultrasonography transducer that generates a narrow beam ultrasonic transmission signal over a sequence of beam angles, that receives an ultrasonic return signal, and that generates an ultrasonic receive signal in response to the ultrasonic return signal to identify and measure dental and craniofacial objects and features. A probe body has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the probe tip.

Abstract: The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating, and a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic jacket, which device may achieve omnidirectional (360°) imaging. The imaging guide wire of the invention can function as a guide wire for vascular interventions, can enable real time imaging during balloon inflation, and stent deployment, thus will provide clinical information that is not available when catheter-based imaging systems are used. The device of the invention may enable shortened total procedure times, including the fluoroscopy time, will also reduce radiation exposure to the patient and to the operator.

Abstract: Methods and devices for optimizing classification tree evaluation for online and real-time characterization of tissue by using GPUs are disclosed that give a significant improvement in run time compared to data decomposition. The methods and devices use a parallel algorithm designed for single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) architectures commonly found in GPUs. Various optimizations and their effects are also disclosed.

Abstract: The ultrasound probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in different directions and the diagnostic apparatus body combines a plurality of images captured in the different directions of transmission and reception to produce an ultrasound image. In this process, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus measures the temperature of the ultrasound probe to change the ultrasound transmission and reception for producing a composite ultrasound image or makes the directions of transmission and reception in the last ultrasound image in one composite ultrasound image coincide with those in the first ultrasound image in its temporally adjacent composite ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus thus enables consistent ultrasound diagnosis against heat generated in the integrated circuit board of the ultrasound probe while simplifying the control of the ultrasound transmission and reception.

Abstract: Catheter navigation is coupled with ultrasound imaging to yield a context map showing the location on a heart of the ultrasonically imaged frame.

Abstract: A method for correcting ultrasound data includes acquiring ultrasound data using an ultrasound probe having a plurality of transducer elements associated with a plurality of channels that include conductive pathways and communicating the ultrasound data as received ultrasound signals along the conductive pathways of the channels. The method further includes determining a crosstalk signal that is generated in one or more of the channels by at least one of communication of the received ultrasound signals along the channels or vibration of one or more of the transducer elements. In one aspect, the method also includes modifying one or more subsequently acquired ultrasound signals that are communicated along the channels based on the crosstalk signal.

Abstract: An endoventricular injection catheter with integrated echocardiographic capability enables injections into heart tissue under visualization. The catheter includes an elongated body having a distal end and an imaging core arranged to be inserted into a heart. The imaging core is arranged to transmit ultrasonic energy and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy at the distal end to provide electrical signals representing echocardiographic images to enable cardiac visualization. The catheter further includes an injector carried on the elongated body with the imaging core. The injector is arranged to inject a therapeutic agent into tissue of the heart visualized by the imaging core.

Abstract: A device is provided to confirm intratubal occlusion in a subject of a fallopian tube having an inner diameter that includes a tubular shaft having a distal end and an interior lumen. An examination head is joined to the distal end of the shaft. A visualization modality in the examination head provides visual or acoustic imaging of the fallopian tube. A power source for the visualization modality is provided. A handle is provided for control of the device. An ex vivo imager of an ocular, video headgear, or a video display is provided in communication with the visualization modality. A process for evaluating an intratubal implant in a fallopian tube through optical or sonic wave visualization is also provided.

Abstract: A medical imaging system for imaging a patient's body includes a catheter having a position sensor and an ultrasonic imaging sensor wherein the position sensor transmits electrical signals indicating positional information of the catheter in the patient's body and the ultrasonic imaging sensor transmits ultrasonic energy at a target in the patient's body, receives ultrasonic echoes reflected from the target and transmits signals relating to the reflected ultrasonic echoes. A positioning processor is connected to the catheter for determining its positional information based on the electrical signals transmitted by the position sensor. The system includes a display and an image processor connected to the catheter, the positioning processor and the display. The image processor generates an ultrasonic image of the target and depicts the generated ultrasound image on the display in the same orientation as the catheter in the patient's body based on positional information from the position sensor.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of a catheter body. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The deflectable member may be interconnected to the catheter body by a live hinge. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter body to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter body. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter body and when pivoted relative to the catheter body.

Abstract: A medical tube includes a distal portion provided on one end side having a first outer diameter, a first inner diameter, and a first thickness; a proximal portion provided on the other end side having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter, a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter, and a second thickness greater than the first thickness; and an intermediate portion provided between the distal portion and the proximal portion and having an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a thickness which gradually vary. Thus, a medical tube is provided having improved operability and which reduces the likelihood of bending during an operation.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided. The catheter may include a deflectable member located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may include a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The lumen may be used to deliver an interventional device to a point distal to the distal end of the catheter. The deflectable member may be selectively deflectable in a pivot-like manner through an arc of at least 90 degrees. In embodiments where the deflectable member includes an ultrasound transducer array, the ultrasound transducer array may be operable to image both when aligned with the catheter and when pivoted relative to the catheter. When pivoted relative to the catheter, the ultrasound transducer array may have a field of view distal to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Surface selective photoacoustic (PA) medical imaging is introduced. Surface selective PA imaging is responsive to surface features and does not image sub-surface features, in contrast to conventional PA imaging. The surface PA signal can be considerably larger than the bulk PA signal, for an air-coupled (or gas-coupled) acoustic transducer. Distinguishing these two signals based on time of arrival at the transducer can further distinguish the two signals. This approach provides numerous advantages. Non-contact imaging simplifies and expedites imaging, and can serve as a replacement for visual inspection by physicians. Applications include skin screening and endoscopy.

Abstract: A hand-operated intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter is described for flexed and rotational steering is described for improved catheter operation, control and less trauma on patients. The disclosed catheter assembly includes ultrasound transducers mounted upon a rotatable tip mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate shaft. A set of steering lines are controlled by a steering actuator to articulate bidirectionally a distal segment of the catheter. Another steering actuator controls rotation of a torque member that, in turn is coupled to the rotatable tip. A user, through the steering actuators, affects repositioning the ultrasonic transducers by repositioning exposed control surfaces of the steering actuators lengthwise along the housing of the handle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated therapeutic and imaging catheter. The catheter comprises an inner member defining a guidewire lumen, a radiopaque balloon assembly, a treatment device operatively associated with an outer sleeve of the balloon assembly, and an imaging device adjacent the balloon assembly. The balloon assembly comprises an inner sleeve surrounding the inner member and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The catheter includes a connection medium, wherein when the connection medium extends through the balloon it is disposed between the balloon inner sleeve and the inner member. The imaging device is disposed adjacent to the balloon assembly and is coupled to the connection medium.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an insertion portion having a distal end portion and at least two channels; an optical observation system provided on one surface of the distal end portion so as to face an axial direction different from a direction of an insertion axis X of the insertion portion; a first channel opening provided on one surface of the distal end portion near the optical observation system; an ultrasound transducer array provided on the one surface of the distal end portion and having a scanning surface Z parallel to the insertion axis; and a second channel opening provided on a proximal end side of the ultrasound transducer array.

Abstract: A method for processing a sequence of ultrasound frames for display includes receiving a sequence of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) frames of a vessel having a lumen, the sequence including a first frame and a second frame; determining one or more texture features for each of one or more regions of the first frame; determining at least one flow feature for each of the one or more regions by comparing the first and second frames; deriving a lumen border for the first frame using the one or more texture features and the at least one flow feature to characterize the one or more regions as within or outside of the lumen of the vessel; and displaying an ultrasound image of the first frame with the lumen border.

Abstract: A medical imaging assembly includes an elongated catheter having a connector at the proximal end; an array of transducers on the distal end of the catheter; conductors electrically coupled to the array of transducers and in electrical communication with the connector of the catheter; and a control unit coupleable to the catheter to send and receive electrical signals between the control unit and the array of transducers through the connector of the catheter. The control unit has a processor to execute instructions including 1) selecting a first subset of M transmitting transducers and a second subset of N receiving transducers from the array of transducers, where N>M; and 2) for each of at least N transmit/receive cycles, a) directing the first subset of M transmitting transducers to transmit an acoustic signal; and b) directing the second subset of N receiving transducers to receive corresponding echo signals.

Abstract: A system for generating a diagnosis is disclosed herein. The system includes a controller, an electrocardiograph connected to the controller, and an ultrasound device connected to the controller. The electrocardiograph is configured to generate a diagnostic electrocardiogram. The controller is configured to generate a diagnosis based on data from the electrocardiograph or the ultrasound device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image, signals during scanning a region of interest.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to obtain real-time images of a luminal surface prior to, during, and after an intraluminal procedure, including while an intraluminal tool is engaged with the luminal surface. In one embodiment, an imaging system of the invention includes a guidewire comprising a first imaging element and a catheter comprising a second imaging element and a lumen that is configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the guidewire within. The first and second imaging elements are optical-to-acoustic transducers. The catheter is configured to move along a path of the guidewire to obtain real-time images within the lumen of a vessel and of the luminal surface.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to obtain real-time images of a luminal surface prior to, during, and after an intraluminal procedure, including while a tool is engaged with the luminal surface. An imaging system of the invention may include a first elongate member that includes a first imaging element and a catheter that includes a second imaging element. The first imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer, and the second imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer. The catheter also defines a lumen and includes an implant delivery mechanism. The catheter is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongate member within the lumen and is configured to move along a path of the elongate member.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular ultrasound imaging and to systems and methods to improve line density and image quality. The invention provides an intravascular imaging system that uses a clock device to provide a set of trigger signals for each revolution of the imaging catheter and capture various patterns of scan lines for each set of trigger signals. The system can be operated to capture two scan lines of data for each trigger signal thereby doubling scan line density compared to existing systems. The clock device can be provided by hardware, such as a rotary encoder, that is configured to define a maximum number of trigger signals that the module can provide per rotation of the catheter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catheter imaging device includes an elongated catheter shaft having a forward looking ultrasonic transducer disposed at a distal end thereof. A first device is coupled to the transducer for sweeping an ultrasonic beam produced by the transducer in a first plane and through a first angle therein, and a second device is coupled to the transducer for sweeping the ultrasonic beam in a second plane and through a second angle therein, the second plane being disposed orthogonal to the first plane. In one aspect, the ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of transducer elements.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to obtain real-time images of a luminal surface prior to, during, and after an intraluminal procedure, including while a tool is engaged with the luminal surface. An imaging system of the invention may include a first elongate member that includes a first imaging element and a catheter that includes a second imaging element. The first imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer, and the second imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer. The catheter also defines a lumen and includes an ablation element. The catheter is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongate member within the lumen and is configured to move along a path of the elongate member.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to obtain real-time images of a luminal surface prior to, during, and after an intraluminal procedure, including while a tool is engaged with the luminal surface. An imaging system of the invention may include a first elongate member that includes a first imaging element and a catheter that includes a second imaging element. The first imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer, and the second imaging element is an optical-to-acoustic transducer. The catheter also defines a lumen and includes cutting element. The catheter is configured to receive at least a portion of the elongate member within the lumen and is configured to move along a path of the elongate member.

Abstract: Devices and methods of the invention generally relate to a shortened distal tip for use with intraluminal imaging devices. In certain aspects, an intraluminal device of the invention includes a body and a tip member. The body utilizes an imaging element located on a distal end of the body, in which the imaging element is configured to image an object within a forward plane extending beyond the distal end of the body. A tip member is coupled to the distal end of the body and sized to fit at least between the forward plane and the distal end.

Abstract: The invention includes a probe for imaging tissue within a body cavity. The probe includes a housing which has a first substantially narrow elongate distal portion insertable into a body cavity, and a second elongate portion proximal of the first elongate portion. The narrow distal portion houses a transducer which is longitudinally translatable and rotatable relative thereto. The second elongate portion houses a platform assembly and a movable member. The platform assembly includes a transmission system and a frame, both of which are coupled to the transducer by at least one connector such that rotational movement of the platform assembly within the second elongate portion effectuates rotation of the transducer within the first elongate portion, and translational movement of the moveable member within the second elongate portion effectuates translational movement of the transducer within the first elongate portion. The probe is used with a needle assembly and delivery system.

Abstract: An in vivo imaging device including at least two imaging modalities. In one aspect, the device includes a rotational imaging system in combination with a non-rotational imaging system. Systems including the imaging device, and methods of forming and in vivo imaging using a flexible, elongate body that includes two imaging modalities are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for penetrating from a vessel lumen in which a catheter device is positioned to a target location outside of that vessel lumen. A tissue penetrator advances from a catheter positioned within the vessel lumen to the target location when properly aimed. An imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body provides an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. An imageable marker may be present on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal to predict the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained electronically without use of an imageable marker on the catheter.

Abstract: An ultrasound element includes a silicon substrate, a lower electrode layer that has a plurality of lower electrode sections, and a plurality of lower wiring sections, and is connected to a lower electrode terminal to which a drive signal and a bias signal are applied, a lower insulating layer, an upper insulating layer in which a plurality of cavities smaller than the respective lower electrode sections are formed, an upper electrode layer that has a plurality of upper electrode sections that are disposed to face the respective lower electrode sections via the respective cavities, and are smaller than the lower electrode sections and larger than the cavities, and a plurality of upper wiring sections, and is connected to an upper electrode terminal at a ground potential that detects a capacitance signal, and a protection layer.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus includes an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, and an acoustic transducer disposed proximate the distal end of the elongated body. A variably-refracting acoustic lens is provided to dynamically adjust a direction associated with an acoustic wave coupled to the acoustic transducer in response to one or more control signals provided thereto.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a linear motor, a shaft or filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for registering images obtained through internal (e.g. intravascular) ultrasound devices. Embodiments of a device with a rotating ultrasound beam is provided, with a wall of the device being anisotropic in ultrasound passage. As examples, a cable opaque to ultrasound is attached along the wall of the device, so that the ultrasound beam at the location of the cable is blocked, reflected or scattered. As another example, a thin film of metallic material is placed on or in the wall to allow a portion of the beam to be blocked or attenuated. The imaging system recognizes the changes to the signals made by the anisotropic wall, and registers successive images according to those changes.