Three-dimensional forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound imaging of human arteries in vitro.
The aim of this work was to investigate the suitability of a novel forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technique for three-dimensional imaging of severely stenosed or totally occluded vessels, where the conventional side-viewing IVUS systems are of limited use. A stiff 3.8 mm diameter forward-viewing catheter was manufactured to scan a 72 degrees sector ahead of its tip. Conical volume data were acquired by rotating the catheter over 180 degrees by means of a motorised mechanical system. Operating at 30 MHz, the catheter was integrated with an IVUS scanner and a radiofrequency data acquisition system. Postmortem carotid and femoral arteries were scanned in vitro. Correlation of the reconstructed images with histology demonstrated the ability of this forward-viewing IVUS system to visualise healthy lumens, bifurcations, thickened atherosclerotic walls and, most importantly, severe and complete vessel occlusions. A rotating-sector forward-viewing IVUS system is suitable for anatomical assessment of severely diseased vessels in three dimensions.
Gatzoulis
L
L
Department of Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Watson
R J
RJ
Jordan
L B
LB
Pye
S D
SD
Anderson
T
T
Uren
N
N
Salter
D M
DM
Fox
K A
KA
McDicken
W N
WN
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*