Device and Method for Intravascular Imaging and Sensing
An intravascular sensor device can be used to guide treatment of a diseased blood vessel in the body of a patient. In some examples, the intravascular sensor device includes a pressure sensor and an ultrasound transducer. The intravascular sensor device is used to measure a pressure within the diseased blood vessel and acquire an ultrasound image of the diseased blood vessel. The pressure may be measured during hyperemic blood flow that is caused by a pharmacologic vasodilator drug. The measured pressure can be used to calculate a fractional flow reserve value. The ultrasound image can be used to determine a physical dimension of the blood vessel, such as cross-sectional area. The fractional flow reserve value and physical dimensions of the blood vessel can be used to optimize patient treatment.
1 . A method of determining a condition of a blood vessel, using a guide wire and a catheter comprising an ultrasound transducer array and a pressure sensor, comprising:
with a single insertion of the catheter:
performing at least one pressure measurement; and
imaging an area of interest of the blood vessel;
wherein, during the pressure measurement, a reduced cross-sectional area along a portion of the catheter reduces an influence of the catheter on the pressure measurement, enabling a more indicative pressure measurement.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the at least one pressure measurement during a hyperemic blood flow rate caused by a pharmacologic vasodilator drug.
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising determining, with a processor, a fractional flow reserve value based on the at least one pressure measurement during hyperemic blood flow.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blood vessel comprises a lesion.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining, with a processor, a physical dimension of the blood vessel wherein the physical dimension is one of a cross-sectional area of the blood vessel, a diameter of the blood vessel, and a length of the blood vessel.
6 . A method of evaluating a stent within a blood vessel, using a guide wire and a catheter comprising an ultrasound transducer array and a pressure sensor, comprising:
with a single insertion of the catheter:
performing a pressure measurement; and
imaging an area of the blood vessel including the stent;
wherein, during the measurement of pressure, a reduced cross-sectional area along a portion of the catheter reduces an influence of the catheter on the pressure measurement, enabling a more indicative pressure measurement.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising performing the at least one pressure measurement during a hyperemic blood flow rate caused by a pharmacologic vasodilator drug.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising determining, with a processor, a fractional flow reserve value based on the at least one pressure measurement during hyperemic blood flow.
9 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising determining, with a processor, a physical dimension of the stent wherein the physical dimension is one of a cross-sectional area of the stent, a diameter of the stent, and maximum distance between stent and blood vessel wall.
10 . A method comprising: inserting an intravascular sensing device into a body of a patient; controlling the intravascular sensing device to acquire at least one pressure measurement within a blood vessel; and controlling the intravascular sensing device to acquire at least one ultrasound image within the blood vessel.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising performing the at least one pressure measurement during a hyperemic blood flow rate caused by a pharmacologic vasodilator drug.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining, with a processor, a fractional flow reserve value based on the at least one pressure measurement during hyperemic blood flow.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the blood vessel comprises at least one of a lesion and a stent.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising determining, with a processor, a physical dimension of the blood vessel wherein the physical dimension is one of a cross-sectional area of the blood vessel, a diameter of the blood vessel, and a length of the blood vessel.