Blood Vessel Visualization Using a Micromotor Type Intravascular Ultrasound Endoscope

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) endoscope is limited by the inability of current devices to define the blood vessels morphology accurately. We have developed a prototype lateral-viewing IVUS catheter using a micromotor, in which an ultrasound beam is scanned radially by a micromotor instead of a rotation transmitting wire. The rotation of the micromotor is performed and controlled by an external magnetic field. To calibrate our micromotor type IUVS endoscope, 6 phantoms were prepared and reconstructed in a water tub. Finally, we reconstructed the image of 1 human arterial specimen through an in vitro experiment. These preliminary data suggested that a lateral-viewing micromotor type IVUS endoscope is feasible and accurate to evaluate the residual wall. Furthermore, it has sufficient ability to define the blood vessels morphology and to diagnose vascular diseases.