Abstract: A catheter system for ablation of tissue around a blood vessel, e.g., the pulmonary artery, to reduce neural activity of nerves surrounding the blood vessel. The catheter system includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion coupled to a handle, and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a transducer and an expandable anchor, which may be actuated to transition between a collapsed delivery state and an expanded deployed state where the anchor centralizes the transducer within the blood vessel. The transducer may be actuated to emit energy to reduce neural activity of the nerves surrounding the blood vessel. Systems and method are further provided for confirming that neural activity of the nerves surround the blood vessel has been sufficiently reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for confirming the tip location of a static endovascular device are disclosed. The system can include an ivECG acquisition module for receiving ECG data from an implanted endovascular device and a notification module. The system can calculate P×I and distance parameters to determine the location of the tip of the implanted endovascular device relative to a predetermined location such as the cavoatrial junction. The system can use chaos theory and the concept of self-organized criticality (SOC) to determine parameters where P-waves are absent or atypical. The notification module can include one or more of an audio signal, a video signal, and a tactile signal. Also disclosed are systems and methods of establishing an electrical pathway within a previously positioned, endovascular device, including saline columns and electrically conductive guidewires.

Abstract: A method and system for 3D reconstruction of coronary artery based on vascular branch registration. The method includes: classifying bifurcated vessels and normal vessels of an intravascular ultrasound image and segmenting intima and adventitia of the bifurcated vessels and normal vessels separately; extracting a 3D centerline of a CAG image; locating vascular branches and automatically matching key points of the CAG image; and registering the intima and adventitia segmentation images to the 3D centerline of the CAG image according to the key points of the CAG image and performing 3D reconstruction of the coronary artery. The method uses automatic matching of vascular branches to fuse CAG and IVUS images and reconstruct them in 3D, which is more helpful for intuitive judgment of doctors on the premise of improving speed and accuracy, and is of great significance for auxiliary diagnosis of diseases.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a probe for use in minimally invasive surgery. The probe includes a shaft and a tip extending from the shaft. The tip includes a bulbous shape with a smooth and rounded outer surface. In some embodiments, the shaft is separated from the tip by a neck such that both the shaft and the tip expand outward from a concave surface of the neck. In some embodiments, one or both of a neuromonitoring element and an ultrasound sensor are disposed on the tip. In some embodiments, a probe may include a surface feature that resists expulsion of the probe from a human body when the probe is disposed in the human body. In further embodiments, a probe may include insulated material over a first surface region and conductive material over a second surface region.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided to determine and visualize landmarks with an intraluminal imaging system for lesion assessment and treatment. An intraluminal imaging system may be configured to receive imaging data from an intraluminal imaging device, generate a set of image frames using received imaging data, and automatically calculate a luminal area associated with the body lumen for each of the image frames. The calculated luminal area and a longitudinal view of the body lumen may be displayed to a user on a display device.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound image of a region of interest (ROI) of a body is formed by transmitting into the ROI at least a first and a second ultrasound pulse, in which the second pulse is phase-shifted relative to the first pulse by an amount other than 0 or a multiple of 180 degrees. Discretized receive signals from the pulses are interleaved to form a resultant operating signal that is detected and beamformed as the operating signal.

Abstract: A suction catheter system is described with a suction extension interfaced with a guide catheter to form a continuous suction lumen extending through a portion of the guide catheter and through the suction extension. The suction extension can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. The suction extension can comprise a connecting section with a non-circular cross section for interfacing with the inner lumen of an engagement section of the guide catheter. Proximal fittings attached to the guide catheter can facilitate safe removal of the catheter system from the patient by allowing for the removal of some or all of a tubular extension of the suction extension from the guide catheter behind a hemostatic seal.

Abstract: A method is provided for image-processing an image dataset acquired from a patient by a medical imaging apparatus, (e.g., an X-ray apparatus), wherein the image dataset includes image values associated with image points, and depicts an acquisition region of the patient containing at least one object, (e.g., a medical device), to be enhanced, which is represented by image values within an image-value interval. The method includes determining a non-linearly high-pass filtered enhancement dataset, which is confined to an image portion containing image values lying in the image-value interval. The method also includes determining a result dataset by adding to the image dataset the enhancement dataset weighted by a weighting value. The method further includes outputting the result dataset.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A target substance, such as a thrombus, is removed from a patient's body via minimally invasive technique. A catheter is maneuvered and positioned near the target substance. The catheter may have a soft, atraumatic tip constructed from a metallic backbone covered by a polymer. Target substances are drawn into the catheter via an aspiration source. Near the catheter's distal end, a blade and opposing surface are housed within the catheter, and the blade moves relative to the opposing surface within the catheter lumen in order to fragment the target substance. The substances are fragmented within the catheter into discreet and relatively uniform particles. The aspiration source, which helps ensnare target substances, also serves to evacuate the substance fragments from the patient's body.

Abstract: An imaging medical device includes a shaft main body portion having an image acquiring lumen and a guide wire lumen. The shaft main body portion includes a first shaft proximal portion in which the image acquiring lumen is disposed, and a second shaft proximal portion in which the guide wire lumen is disposed, with the two being bifurcated. First and second hub portions are interlocked with the first and second shaft proximal portions respectively, and a transducer unit is fixed to a drive shaft. Reference line X represents the axis line of the shaft main body portion, ?1 represents the inclination of the central axis of the first hub portion relative to the reference line, ?2 represents the inclination of the central axis of the second hub portion relative to the reference line, and the relationship of |?1|>|?2| is satisfied.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods that provide for guided delivery of a heart replacement valve or other implant into the vasculature. In certain embodiments, a delivery device of the invention includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath moveably disposed within the outer sheath. The outer sheath includes a first imaging element and defining a center lumen that leads to an opening. The outer sheath is further configured to releasably hold an implant within the center lumen. The first imaging element is configured to at least partially surround the center lumen such that the implant is deployable through the first imaging element. The inner sheath is configured to engage with and deploy the implant out of the opening of the elongate body and into a body lumen.

Abstract: Ultrasound tomography imaging methods for imaging a tissue medium with one or more ultrasound transducer arrays comprising a plurality of transducers, wherein said transducers comprise source transducers, receiving transducers. The methods include assigning a phase value or time delay to source transducers, exciting the transducers and calculating a search direction based on data relating to the excited transducers.

Abstract: A method for visualizing a tubular object from a set of volumetric data may include the steps of: determining a viewing direction for the tubular object; selecting a constraint subset of the tubular object within the volumetric data; defining a cut-surface through the volumetric data and including the constraint subset of the tubular object within the volumetric data; and rendering an image based upon the determined viewing direction and the volumetric data of the tubular object along the intersection of the volumetric data and the defined cut-surface. Additionally or alternatively, the method may identify a plurality of bifurcations in the tubular object; assign a weighting factor to each identified bifurcation; determine a bifurcation normal vector associated with each bifurcation; determine a weighted average of the bifurcation normal vectors; and render an image of the volumetric data from a perspective parallel to the weighted average of the bifurcation normal vectors.

Abstract: A catheter including a monitoring body and a pair of markers disposed on the monitoring body, each marker of the pair of markers encircling the monitoring body, wherein the pair of markers are configured to indicate, through their appearance from a given point of view, an orientation of the monitoring body.

Abstract: A catheter includes a first structure having an elongated catheter body with at least one lumen and a first connection portion. The catheter includes a second structure that has a second connection portion which is connectable to the distal side of the first connection portion and a third structure that has an inner tube in which an elongated imaging core having an image capturing unit for capturing an image is positionable and a third connection portion which is connectable to the proximal side of the first connection portion. The catheter includes a first prevention portion to prevent the first connection portion from connecting to the third connection portion when the first and second connection portions are connected and a second prevention portion to prevent the first connection portion from connecting to the second connection portion when the first and third connection portions are connected.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging catheter is disclosed which includes a drive shaft, of which a distal portion is provided with a signal transmitting and receiving unit, and which can be rotated; a sheath including a lumen into which the drive shaft is inserted such that the drive shaft can be moved forward and backward; a communicating hole which is provided in a distal portion of the sheath, and through which the inside and the outside of the sheath communicate with each other; and a valve body capable of opening and closing the communicating hole. The valve body is configured to be capable of switching between a closed state in which the communicating hole is covered and blocked with the valve body and an open state which the valve body enters by being moved to the outside of the sheath from the closed state, and in which the communicating hole is open.

Abstract: Systems and methods for user control over the acquisition, processing, and presentation of medical data are provided. Some embodiments are particularly directed to controlling the display of multi-modality medical data in a multi-modality processing system. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system receives a set of medical data including a first data subset collected using a first sensor and a second data subset collected using a second sensor, where the first sensor and the second sensor are different. A display attribute to be applied to the first data subset independent of the second data subset is received. An instruction is generated that affects the processing of the first data subset based on the display attribute. The first data subset is processed according to the instruction. The processed first data subset is displayed according to the display attribute, and the second data subset is displayed independent of the display attribute.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method of estimating a velocity of a contrast agent. The method includes receiving a plurality of video frames that were produced using a dynamic contrast enhanced imaging process, each video frame including a plurality of pixels/voxels. Information from the video frames is used to estimate velocity vectors indicating the velocity and direction of the agent with the vascular networks. The estimated velocity can be used to diagnose cancer, such as prostate cancer. Instead of velocity vectors, agent trajectories can be determined also used for the same purpose.

Abstract: The present application discloses a medical instrument for tissue ablation by a minimally invasive surgical procedure, including a hollow outer shaft, an inner shaft which can be guided longitudinally displaceably in the hollow outer shaft, and a control portion at a proximal end of the medical instrument, in order to position the hollow outer shaft. An attachment for mechanical ablation of tissue is arranged at a distal end of the inner shaft, wherein the attachment does not protrude beyond an inner profile formed by the inner faces of the outer shaft, and wherein at any rate the distal end of the attachment protrudes beyond the distal end of the hollow outer shaft in order to ablate tissue. The medical instrument may be combined with further medical appliances, in particular with an HF coagulation attachment or a laser coagulation attachment for tissue coagulation.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance examination system includes an RF arrangement with an RF antenna to acquire magnetic resonance signals from an object to be examined. A motion sensing arrangement detects motion information of the object. The motion sensing arrangement is provided with one or more RF antenna motion sensors mounted on the RF antenna and one or more object motion sensors to be attached to the object. In an example the motion sensors are integrated devices having motion sensitivity along three independent axes.

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.

Abstract: A probe, system, and method of capacitive sensing for detection of relative rotation of one tube with respect to a fixed tube of a probe is provided herewith. The probe includes an inner core, a concentric cylindrical tube, and at least one inner electrode fixed to the inner core and at least one outer electrode fixed to the cylindrical tube. The electrodes are rotationally aligned and form a capacitive sensor that can sense the rotation angle of the inner core compared to the cylindrical tube. This ability to sense relative rotation angle can be used to detect and/or correct for non-uniform rotational distortion.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rapid exchange configuration that reduces the profile of a catheter riding on a guidewire and minimizes guidewire resistance. According to certain embodiments, a body of the catheter includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion defines a guidewire lumen and includes a guidewire exit port being open in a proximal direction and leading to the guidewire lumen. A proximal section of the guidewire lumen is straight.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging catheter includes a drive shaft provided with a signal transmitting and receiving unit at a distal portion thereof and which is rotatable and movable forward and backward, a sheath into which the drive shaft is inserted, a relay connector coupled to a proximal end of the sheath, a support tube provided at an outer circumference of the drive shaft along an axial direction and which moves forward and backward in conjunction with the drive shaft, a seal member provided inside the relay connector and which seals a space between the relay connector and the support tube, and an injection opening located in a region closer to a distal side than the seal member and closer to a proximal side than a distal end of the support tube in a backward movement limit position thereof and via which a liquid is able to be injected into the sheath.

Abstract: An ablation system for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprises an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, a lumen therebetween and a housing adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft. An energy source is coupled to the housing and is adapted to deliver energy to a target tissue so as to create a zone of ablation in the target tissue that blocks abnormal electrical activity thereby reducing or eliminating the atrial fibrillation in the patient. A sensor is adjacent the energy source and adapted to detect relative position of the energy source to the target tissue or characteristics of the target tissue. The system also has a reflecting element operably coupled with the energy source and adapted to redirect energy emitted from the energy source in a desired direction or pattern.

Abstract: A needle for invasive medical use includes a long extended cylindrical needle shaft having an axis and an outer surface area, with a short shaft end at a first end of the shaft with a beveled tip with a pointed end, and a needle hub attached to a second end of the shaft including a device to indicate the location of the shaft end during use inside a body. The needle has a flexible joint with a notch within the shaft at the beginning of the shaft end. The device is a displacement sensor for detecting a displacement of the shaft end relative to the rest of the shaft resulted from a force applied to the shaft end when the needle hub is moved and a signal conductor to transmit the detected signals. The invention further describes a needle assembly comprising such a needle and a syringe attached to said needle hub, whereas an evaluation unit is connected to the signal conductor.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include implantable pulse generator (IPG) devices, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator devices, neurostimulators or combinations thereof. In one example, the IMD can include a body assembly, which can provide at least one electrical signal corresponding to a therapy. The IMD can also include a cardiac lead assembly, which can have a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cardiac lead assembly can be in communication with the body assembly to receive the therapy and the distal portion can be adapted to be coupled to an anatomical structure to transmit the at least one electrical signal to the anatomical structure. The proximal portion of the cardiac lead assembly can have a first stiffness and the distal portion can have a second stiffness. The first stiffness can be greater than the second stiffness.

Abstract: A system for use with ultrasound procedures including an ultrasound control and/or imaging system which has a microminiature motor, a rotatable reflector and a stationary ultrasound transducer. The transducer may be placed between the motor and the reflector, so as to eliminate the need for placement of wires or other artifact-creating items in the path of ultrasound signals. In particular embodiments, such systems can be incorporated in or retrofitted to commercially standard diagnostic and therapeutic catheters or other housings. Examples can be used in variety of ultrasound procedures, e.g. to perform intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a medical device within a body is provided. The method includes transmitting from the medical device an acoustic signal; receiving with the medical device a reflected acoustic signal; advancing the medical device based on a first algorithm, the first algorithm including a first weighting factor and a first feature extracted from the reflected acoustic signal; determining a first location of the medical device based on the first algorithm; and moving the medical device to a second location based on a second algorithm, the second algorithm based on the determined first location and including at least one of a second weighting factor and a second feature extracted from the reflected acoustic signal. Also disclosed are systems and devices for performing the methods described herein.

Abstract: An in vivo apparatus includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. An energy guide apparatus is provided at the distal end of the shaft and dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. An ex vivo apparatus includes an arrangement configured to localize the energy guide apparatus within the renal artery, and an energy source configured to direct ablative energy to target tissue located a predetermined distance from the localized energy guide apparatus. The target tissue includes perivascular renal nerve tissue adjacent the renal artery.

Abstract: A sensing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the sensing device including an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a sensing body coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the sensing body being adapted to fit within a native valve annulus and at least one microelectromechanical sensor attached to the sensing body, the at least one sensing body being capable of measuring a property of tissue.

Abstract: An imaging assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, an ablation tip at the distal end of the catheter, and an imaging device disposed within the ablation tip. The catheter defines a catheter lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The catheter is configured and arranged for insertion into a body lumen such as a blood vessel or heart chamber. The ablation tip has a wall that defines a lumen in communication with the lumen of the catheter. The imaging device is disposed within the lumen of the ablation tip, and is configured to transmit pulsed acoustic waves for generating images of body tissue at a target ablation site within the body.

Abstract: An optical coherent tomographic image forming apparatus includes: a first switch for instructing rotation of the optical deflection unit at a first speed; a second switch for instructing rotation of the optical deflection unit at a second speed which is higher than the first speed; and a driving controller which drives the optical deflection unit rotationally at the first speed in case of detecting instruction operation of the first switch and which changes the rotation speed of the optical deflection unit to the second speed, in case of detecting instruction operation of the second switch, under the condition that the optical deflection unit rotates at the first speed when the second switch is instructionally operated.

Abstract: A system and method for quantitative determination of density of vasa vasorum in an arterial wall that utilizes a detection of temporal and/or spatial displacement of blood-flow with the use of intravascular ultrasound system. Locations of extrema in the spatial distribution can be identified to detect vascular defects. The system and method support a clinically-useful application for early detection of indicators of diseases, such as coronary atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering securing elements to a tissue, such as a blood vessel, and imaging the tissue before, after, or during the imaging. The catheters incorporate intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, including Focused Acoustic Computed Tomography (FACT), as well as optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing a zoom operation based on a single motion input. A user interface can be adapted to display an image, detect a single motion input and contemporaneously control a zoom operation on the image. Zoom operations can include a zoom magnitude, direction, and distance. Single motion inputs can include, for example, a swipe of a finger on a touchscreen or a click and drag operation performed on a mouse.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer. A wire guide channel extends throughout the length of the catheter. The transducer is rotatable around the wire guide channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for positioning medical devices onto (or close to) a desired portion of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as for scan imaging, for photodynamic therapy and/or for optical temperature measurement. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly has a distal portion that can be changed from a configuration suitable for traversing the internal channel to another configuration suitable for scan at least a spiral section of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as an artery. In one example, the distal portion spirals into gentle contact with (or close to) a spiral section of the artery wall for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning. The spiral radius may be changed through the use of a guidewire, a tendon, a spiral balloon, a tube, or other ways.

Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound probe is disclosed, incorporating features for utilizing an advanced transducer technology on a rotating transducer shaft. In particular, the probe accommodates the transmission of the multitude of signals across the boundary between the rotary and stationary components of the probe required to support an advanced transducer technology. These advanced transducer technologies offer the potential for increased bandwidth, improved beam profiles, better signal to noise ratio, reduced manufacturing costs, advanced tissue characterization algorithms, and other desirable features. Furthermore, the inclusion of electronic components on the spinning side of the probe can be highly advantageous in terms of preserving maximum signal to noise ratio and signal fidelity, along with other performance benefits.

Abstract: In a method for fluoroscopy controlled insertion of a stent into a curved aorta for aneurysm repair, a 3D volume image is obtained of a patient's aorta at the aneurysm. By knowing a registration of the 3D volume image to a C-arm of an angiographic system and projection geometry of the angiography system, the 3D volume images are projected to a 2D fluoroscopy image of the angiography system. For the 2D3D overlay, the 3D volume image is displayed as a curved planar reconstruction in which the 2D fluoroscopy image and the 3D volume image are warped around a curved center line of the curved aorta or around a curved guide instrument center line to correct for the curvature of the aorta so that the previously curved aorta center line or curved center line of the guide instrument turns into a straight line to visualize insertion of the stent.

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 design and a fabrication method for an intravascular imaging and therapeutic catheters for combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and for optical and/or acoustic therapy of hollow organs and diseased blood vessels and tissues are disclosed in the present invention. The invention comprises both a device—optical fiber-based intravascular catheter designs for combined IVUS/IVPA, and elasticity imaging and for acoustic and/or optical therapy—and a method of combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and optical and/or acoustic therapy. The designs of the catheters are based on single-element catheter-based ultrasound transducers or on ultrasound array-based units coupled with optical fiber, fiber bundles or a combination thereof with specially designed light delivery systems. One approach uses the side fire fiber, similar to the one utilized for biomedical optical spectroscopy.

Abstract: A probe is configured to be detachably attached to a rotary junction unit of the imaging apparatus for diagnosis, and is inserted into a body lumen. The probe includes a plurality of transmitting and receiving units that obtain tomographic images by transmitting and receiving signals inside the body lumen and a drive shaft that receives a rotary-drive force from the rotary junction unit and rotates the plurality of transmitting and receiving units. Then, the plurality of transmitting and receiving units are respectively disposed along axial directions by adjusting angles with respect to directions orthogonal to the axial directions so that the signals are transmitted in directions identical to the directions orthogonal to the axial directions of the rotation among directions to a distal side of the probe and a proximal side of the probe.

Abstract: A catheter including a sheath configured to be inserted into a lumen; a drive shaft inserted into the sheath; an image information acquiring unit fixed to a distal end of the drive shaft and acquires image information; a hub which moves the drive shaft in an axial direction of the sheath; an outer tube on a proximal end side of the sheath and includes a first connector at a proximal end thereof; a second connector which includes on a proximal end side of the outer tube a male connector able to be connected to and disconnected from the first connector; and an inner tube on a distal end side of the hub, that moves with respect to the outer tube along with the movement of the hub, and includes at a distal end thereof a latch section that is not able to pass through the second connector.

Abstract: A system provides a single composite image including multiple medical images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using corresponding multiple different types of imaging device. A display processor generates data representing a single composite display image including, a first image area showing a first image of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using a first type of imaging device, a second image area showing a second image of the portion of patient anatomy acquired using a second type of imaging device different to the first type. The first and second image areas include first and second markers respectively. The first and second markers identify an estimated location of the same corresponding anatomical position in the portion of patient anatomy in the first and second images respectively.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter main body provided with a window portion through which an inspection wave passes, a drive shaft provided with a detection unit detecting the inspection wave and concurrently installed advanceably and retractably in an axial direction inside the catheter main body, and a bias member biasing a force onto the drive shaft for moving the drive shaft forward toward the distal side thereof.

Abstract: An intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) system can include a catheter and a translation mechanism for translating the catheter. Engagement between the catheter and the translation mechanism may be detected, and the translation mechanism can be placed in a connected or disconnected mode, accordingly. When in connected mode, certain IVUS operations may be enabled when compared to disconnected mode, wherein such operations may be disabled. Thus, some embodiments may ensure proper engagement between the catheter and the translation mechanism prior to allowing certain IVUS operations to be carried out.

Abstract: An intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) system can include a catheter which can include memory. Because portions of the catheter are in intimate contact with the patient, electrical signals are isolated for safety. The IVUS system or catheter can thus comprise a catheter interface which provides bidirectional isolation circuitry for coupling the catheter to additional components of the IVUS system. Such circuitry allows for memory operation and communication from within the catheter while remaining electrically isolated. Catheter memory can contain information specific to the catheter such as the type of catheter, information regarding catheter components, information regarding catheter use, and other information useful for catheter operation.

Abstract: A system includes an in vivo imaging device for imaging a blood vessel with a resolution level of at least fifty micrometers. The in vivo imaging device is capable of detecting a microcalcification in a fibrous cap of an atheroma. The system also includes a processor for receiving an image of the blood vessel from the in vivo imaging device. The processor uses the image to determine whether the blood vessel contains at least one microcalcification within the fibrous cap. In some embodiments, the processor is configured and arranged to predict a risk of rupture of the fibrous cap based, at least in part, on the presence of the at least one microcalcification. In some embodiments, treatment of a patient is based on the determination from the imaging whether the blood vessel includes at least one microcalcification within the fibrous cap of the atheroma.