Multiple transducers for intravascular ultrasound imaging

1 . An intravascular ultrasound device comprising:

an ultrasound transducer comprising;

a backing; and

a first ultrasound transducer crystal and a second ultrasound transducer, each crystal having a substantially planar surface and a first edge;

wherein said first and second transducer crystals are mounted on said backing; and

wherein said edge of said first crystal is adjacent to said edge of said second crystal.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said edge of said first crystal is in physical contact with said edge of said second crystal.

3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a third ultrasound transducer crystal having a substantially planar surface and a first edge;

wherein said second crystal has a second edge;

wherein said third crystal is mounted on said backing; and

wherein said edge of said third crystal is adjacent to said second edge of said second crystal.

4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein said wherein said edge of said third crystal is in physical contact with said second edge of said second crystal.

5 . An intravascular ultrasound device with an enhanced field of view comprising:

an ultrasound transducer comprising:

a backing;

a first ultrasound transducer crystal having a substantially planar surface and a top edge, a bottom edge, and a first and a second side edge; and

a second ultrasound transducer crystal having a substantially planar surface and a top edge, a bottom edge, and a first and a second side edge;

wherein said planar surface of said first crystal and said planar surface of said second crystal are disposed on said backing;

wherein a first side edge of said first crystal is adjacent to a first side edge of said second crystal;

wherein said first crystal and said second crystal are oriented relative to each other such that a line that is normal to the planar surface of said first crystal and a line that is normal to the planar surfaces of said second crystal can be substantially in the same plane; and

wherein the angle defined by a line that is normal to the planar surface of said first crystal and a line that is normal to the planar surfaces of said second crystal is between about 1° and about 179°.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein said first side edge of said first crystal is in physical contact with said first side edge of said second crystal.

7 . The device of claim 5 wherein said first transducer crystal, said second transducer crystal, or both said first and said second transducer crystals together are capable of generating an ultrasound signal for imaging.

8 . The device of claim 5 , further comprising:

a third ultrasound transducer crystal having a substantially planar surface and a top edge, a bottom edge, and a first and a second side edge of said first crystal;

wherein said planar surface of said third crystal is disposed on said backing;

wherein a first side edge of said third crystal is adjacent to a second side edge of said second crystal; and

wherein said third crystal and said second crystal are oriented relative to each other such that a line that is normal to the planar surface of said third crystal and a line that is normal to the planar surfaces of said second crystal can be substantially in the same plane; and

the angle defined by a line that is normal to the planar surface of said third crystal and a line that is normal to the planar surfaces of said second crystal is about equal to the angle defined by a line that is normal to the planar surface of said first crystal and a line that is normal to the planar surface of said second crystal.

9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein said first side edge of said third crystal is in physical contact with said second side edge of said second crystal.

10 . The device of claim 5 , further comprising:

an actuator means for moving said transducer in a cyclical motion around an axis of rotation that is substantially in the same plane as the line defined by the intersection of said substantially planar surface of said first crystal and the substantially planar surface of said second crystal; and

wherein said transducer is rotated about said axis of rotation through an angle that is about equal to the angle defined by a line that is normal to the planar surface of said first crystal and a line that is normal to the planar surface of said second crystal.

11 . The device of claim 10 , further comprising an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a distal end;

wherein said transducer and said actuator means are disposed in said distal end of said elongate member;

wherein said axis of rotation is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said elongate member; and

wherein said ultrasound transducer is oriented to transmit ultrasound energy substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal axis of said elongate member.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein said angle of rotation is about 60° to about 90°.

13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein said actuator means comprises a first anchor, a second anchor, at least one movable element, a first SMA actuator connected to said first anchor and a movable element, and a deformable component connected to said second anchor and at least one movable element, wherein said anchor elements are secured relative to said elongate member.

14 . The device of claim 10 , further comprising an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, and a distal tip;

wherein said transducer and said actuator means are disposed on said distal tip of said elongate member;

wherein said axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said elongate member; and

said ultrasound transducer is oriented to transmit ultrasound energy substantially in front of the distal tip of said elongate member.

15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein said angle of rotation is about 30° to about 60°.

16 . The device of claim 14 , wherein said actuator means comprises an SMA actuator and a pivot point or compliant element.

17 . A method for visualizing the interior of a patient's vasculature, said method comprising:

inserting the distal end of the apparatus of claim 11 into the vasculature of a patient;

generating an ultrasound signal from said transducer;

generating a cyclical movement of said ultrasound transducer by activation of said actuator means;

receiving an ultrasonic signal reflected from the interior of the vasculature on said transducer; and

producing an image from said reflected signal.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said ultrasound signal is generated from said first transducer crystal, said second transducer crystal, or both said first and said second transducer crystals.

19 . A method for visualizing the interior of a patient's vasculature, said method comprising:

inserting the distal tip of the apparatus of claim 14 into the vasculature of a patient;

generating an ultrasound signal from said transducer;

generating a cyclical movement of said ultrasound transducer by activation of said actuator means;

receiving an ultrasonic signal reflected from the interior of the vasculature on said transducer; and

producing an image from said reflected signal.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said ultrasound signal is generated from said first transducer crystal, said second transducer crystal, or both said first and said second transducer crystals.