Arterial imaging with a new forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound catheter, II. Three-dimensional reconstruction and display of data.
BACKGROUND
Current intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters provide transverse imaging at the level of the ultrasound transducer. This limits imaging to large-diameter segments without critical atherosclerotic narrowings. We have developed a prototype 20-MHz forward-viewing IVUS catheter that provides two-dimensional sector imaging distal to the catheter tip. A present limitation of this technique is that the catheter must be manually rotated to obtain multiple longitudinal views required to integrate the segment into a three-dimensional matrix. To overcome this, we have developed an algorithm that reconstructs these multiple two-dimensional forward-viewing IVUS images into a three-dimensional matrix for more complete depiction of the segment distal to the ultrasound catheter. This algorithm allows display and multidimensional slicing of the three-dimensional reconstruction. METHODS AND RESULTS. To test our algorithms, five arterial segments (three canine aortas, two human femoral arteries) were evaluated in vitro. In each segment, 36 forward-viewing longitudinal slices were collected, digitized, processed, and reoriented to produce a three-dimensional reconstruction (3DR) matrix. The matrix data were sliced into parallel transverse sections and compared with morphometric interpretation of histological sections (Histo). As a result, image data could be reconstructed for a distance of 2.0 cm ahead of the catheter. 3DR easily demonstrated wall and luminal morphology and provided transverse IVUS images comparable to the histological specimens. A good correlation was noted between Histo- and 3DR-determined luminal diameters (LD) and luminal areas: 3DR LD = 1.4 Histo LD-0.4, r = .86; 3DR LD = 0.7 +/- 0.20 cm (mean +/- SD); and Histo LD = 0.7 +/- 0.13 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data demonstrate the feasibility of 3DR of forward-viewing IVUS data. This method allows rapid, detailed analysis of diseased arterial segments previously unavailable with standard IVUS and may permit better targeting of interventional techniques.
Ng
K H
KH
Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.
Evans
J L
JL
Vonesh
M J
MJ
Meyers
S N
SN
Mills
T A
TA
Kane
B J
BJ
Aldrich
W N
WN
Jang
Y T
YT
Yock
P G
PG
Rold
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003626:Data Display; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*