A dual-modality probe utilizing intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography for intravascular imaging applications

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2010 Dec;57(12):2839-43. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2010.1758.

Abstract

We have developed a dual-modality biomedical imaging probe utilizing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). It consists of an OCT probe, a miniature ultrasonic transducer and a fixed mirror. The mirror was mounted at the head of the hybrid probe 45° relative to the light and the ultrasound beams to change their propagation directions. The probe was designed to be able to cover a larger area in blood vessel by IVUS and then visualize a specific point at a much finer image resolution using OCT. To demonstrate both its feasibility and potential clinical applications, we used this ultrasound-guide OCT probe to image a rabbit aorta in vitro. The results offer convincing evidence that the complementary natures of these two modalities may yield beneficial results that could not have otherwise been obtained.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / anatomy & histology
  • Aorta / diagnostic imaging
  • Equipment Design
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Rabbits
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / instrumentation*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Transducers
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / instrumentation*
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods