IVUS OF MICROMOTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING

Citation
R. Erbel et al., IVUS OF MICROMOTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING, Minimally invasive therapy & allied technologies, 6(3), 1997, pp. 195-198
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Surgery
Journal title
Minimally invasive therapy & allied technologies
ISSN journal
13645706 → ACNP
Volume
6
Issue
3
Year of publication
1997
Pages
195 - 198
Database
ISI
SICI code
1364-5706(1997)6:3<195:IOMFCI>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
Intravascular ultrasound is the new gold standard for detection of cor onary artery disease. It is an adjunctive diagnostic procedure in card iac catheterization laboratories. Currently, mechanical single element s or electronic multi-element catheter-based imaging systems are avail able with significant drawbacks either due to the long catheter drive shaft with an external motor or the multi-element methodological probl ems of the technology. In order to overcome the limitations of mechani cal single element catheters, a micromotor was mounted in the distal p art of a scanning compartment in front of a rotating mirror which refl ected the ultrasound beam of a 30 MHz transducer. The rotation was bet ween 3000 and 20000 rev/min, the position accuracy was +/-10 degrees, the torque force 1-3 mu Nm, the power dissipation 10-50 mW, the diamet er 1 mm, the length 2 mm. Cross-sectional images (360 degrees) are pro vided. The catheter is connected to a console generating the transmiss ion pulse, amplification of the echo signals and the envelope detectio n of the ultrasound. The unit is interfaced with a control unit which provides the isolated motor currents with isolated power for the elect ronics and synchronization signals. For the first time the micromotor tip catheter was used in a 64-year-old patient for imaging the iliac a rtery in full length. The wall structure, the vessel lumen and even ad jacent structures like the iliac vein could be visualized with changes during respiration. Signs of arteriosclerosis were seen by the plaque formation which was located eccentrically. The resolution was as high as with conventional mechanical catheters. Most importantly, no non-u niform rotation artefacts occurred. A micromotor system can be success fully used for replacing the motor drive shaft of catheters which are used for intracoronary and intravascular ultrasound and eliminate nonu niform rotational artefacts due to friction and multiple vessel angula tions.