OCT-IVUS catheter for concurrent luminal imaging
The invention relates to an apparatus for in vivo imaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a catheter that incorporates an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system and an Intravascular Ultrasound (“IVUS) system for concurrent imaging of luminal systems, such as imaging the vasculature system, including, without limitation, cardiac vasculature, peripheral vasculature and neural vasculature.
1. A catheter comprising:
an elongate catheter assembly defining a lumen and comprising an outer catheter sheath;
an imaging assembly disposed within the lumen and comprising an optical coherence tomography (OCT) assembly and an ultrasound transducer, wherein the OCT assembly comprises a ferrule, and wherein the ultrasound transducer is embedded within a wall of the ferrule of the OCT assembly;
an optical fiber connected to the OCT assembly and comprising a core and a surrounding layer; and
an electrical wire connected to the ultrasound transducer, wherein the electrical wire is coupled to the core or the surrounding layer of the optical fiber such that the electrical wire and the optical fiber function together as mechanical elements for rotating the imaging assembly;
wherein the catheter assembly comprises a protection bearing that houses the OCT assembly, the ultrasound transducer, a portion of the optical fiber, and a portion of the electrical wire within the lumen of the catheter assembly and is configured to shield the OCT assembly and the ultrasound transducer, wherein the protection bearing is a tubular housing;
wherein the OCT assembly and the ultrasound transducer are arranged to obtain imaging data in the same direction through a side of the outer catheter sheath while the imaging assembly rotates such that the OCT assembly and the ultrasound transducer are configured to scan the same or at least partially overlapping spatial areas.
2. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the OCT assembly comprises a gradient index (GRIN) lens assembly and a prism.
3. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the catheter assembly is comprised of a transparent material.
4. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises a material selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and polyether block amide.
5. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the protection bearing comprises a transparent portion located on a side wall or an end wall of the protection bearing.
6. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule of the OCT assembly comprises a hollow core, and wherein the optical fiber extends through the hollow core.
7. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the surrounding layer of the optical fiber comprises a cladding layer and a buffer layer, and wherein the electrical wire is coupled to the buffer layer.
8. The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the surrounding layer of the optical fiber comprises a cladding layer and a buffer layer, and wherein the electrical wire is embedded within the buffer layer of the optical fiber.
9. A catheter comprising:
an elongate catheter assembly defining a lumen and comprising an outer catheter sheath;
an imaging assembly disposed within the lumen and comprising an optical coherence tomography (OCT) assembly and an ultrasound transducer, wherein the OCT assembly comprises a ferrule comprising a cylindrical body, and wherein the ultrasound transducer comprises an angular portion of the cylindrical body;
an optical fiber connected to the OCT assembly and comprising a core and a surrounding layer; and
an electrical wire connected to the ultrasound transducer, wherein the electrical wire is coupled to the core or the surrounding layer of the optical fiber such that the electrical wire and the optical fiber function together as mechanical elements for rotating the imaging assembly;
wherein the catheter assembly comprises a protection bearing that houses the OCT assembly, the ultrasound transducer, a portion of the optical fiber, and a portion of the electrical wire within the lumen of the catheter assembly and is configured to shield the OCT assembly and the ultrasound transducer, wherein the protection bearing is a tubular housing;
wherein the OCT assembly and the ultrasound transducer are arranged to obtain imaging data in the same direction through a side of the outer catheter sheath while the imaging assembly rotates such that the OCT assembly and the ultrasound transducer are configured to scan the same or at least partially overlapping spatial areas.
10. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the OCT assembly comprises a gradient index (GRIN) lens assembly and a prism.
11. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the catheter assembly is comprised of a transparent material.
12. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the catheter assembly comprises a material selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and polyether block amide.
13. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the protection bearing comprises a transparent portion located on a side wall or an end wall of the protection bearing.
14. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the ferrule of the OCT assembly comprises a hollow core, and wherein the optical fiber extends through the hollow core.
15. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the surrounding layer of the optical fiber comprises a cladding layer and a buffer layer, and wherein the electrical wire is coupled to the buffer layer.
16. The catheter of claim 9 , wherein the surrounding layer of the optical fiber comprises a cladding layer and a buffer layer, and wherein the electrical wire is embedded within the buffer layer of the optical fiber.