U.S. patent application number 09/811257 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for safety mechanism and methods to prevent rotating imaging device from exiting a catheter.
Invention is credited to Jabba, Ronald J., Moore, Thomas C., Wasicek, Larry D..
Application Number | 20010020149 09/811257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22860522 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010020149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore, Thomas C. ; et
al. |
September 6, 2001 |
Safety mechanism and methods to prevent rotating imaging device
from exiting a catheter
Abstract
The invention provides exemplary systems and methods to prevent
rotation of an imaging device if the imaging device is advanced
beyond a distal end of a catheter. In one exemplary embodiment, a
catheter is provided which comprises a catheter body having a
proximal end, a distal end and a lumen which terminates in an exit
port at the distal end. The lumen is configured to receive a
rotatable imaging device having an ultrasonic imaging element. An
ultrasonically recognizable pattern is disposed proximally to or at
the exit port. The pattern is adapted to reflect a signal from the
imaging element to produce a unique detectable image which in turn
is employed to stop rotation of the imaging device.
Inventors: |
Moore, Thomas C.; (Fremont,
CA) ; Wasicek, Larry D.; (San Jose, CA) ;
Jabba, Ronald J.; (Redwood City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Family ID: |
22860522 |
Appl. No.: |
09/811257 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09811257 |
Mar 16, 2001 |
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09229277 |
Jan 13, 1999 |
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6231515 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/93.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 8/12 20130101; A61B
8/4461 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/93.01 |
International
Class: |
A61M 031/00; A61M
037/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A catheter comprising: a catheter body having a proximal end, a
distal end and a lumen which terminates in an exit port at the
distal end, wherein the lumen is adapted to receive a rotatable
imaging device having an ultrasonic imaging element; and an
ultrasonically recognizable pattern disposed proximally to or at
the exit port, the pattern being adapted to reflect a signal from
the imaging element to produce a unique detectable image.
2. A catheter as in claim 1, wherein the recognizable pattern
comprises a tubular reflective member which is affixed about the
catheter body, and wherein the lumen comprises a guide wire
lumen.
3. A catheter as in claim 2, wherein the tubular reflective member
includes a plurality of elongate apertures.
4. A catheter as in claim 1, further comprising a therapeutic
element coupled to the catheter body.
5. A catheter as in claim 4, wherein the therapeutic element is
selected from the group of elements consisting of balloons, stents,
stent grafts, lasers, and rotatable cutters.
6. A catheter as in claim 1, wherein the lumen extends the length
of the catheter body.
7. A catheter as in claim 1, wherein the lumen has a diameter in
the range from about 0.20 mm to about 5 mm.
8. A catheter as in claim 1, wherein the recognizable pattern is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
stainless steel, echogenic coatings, polymers, filled polymers,
gold, tantalum, platinum, and palladium.
9. A catheter system comprising: a catheter comprising a catheter
body having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen which terminates
in an exit port at the distal end, and an ultrasonically
recognizable pattern disposed proximally to or at the exit port; an
elongate imaging device having a proximal end, a distal end, and an
imaging element near the distal end, the imaging device being
receivable in the lumen; and a controller having a motor which is
adapted to rotate the imaging device, wherein the controller is
adapted to stop rotation of the imaging device upon receipt of a
signal from the imaging device indicating that the presence of the
recognizable pattern has been detected.
10. A catheter system as in 9, wherein the recognizable pattern
comprises a tubular reflective member which is crimped about the
catheter body, and wherein the lumen comprises a guide wire
lumen.
11. A catheter as in claim 10, wherein the tubular member includes
a plurality of elongate apertures.
12. A catheter as in claim 9, further comprising a therapeutic
element coupled to the catheter body.
13. A catheter as in claim 12, wherein the therapeutic element is
selected from the group of elements consisting of balloons, stents,
stent grafts, lasers, and rotatable cutters.
14. A catheter as in claim 9, wherein the lumen extends the length
of the catheter body.
15. A catheter as in claim 9, wherein the lumen has a diameter in
the range from about 0.20 mm to about 5 mm.
16. A catheter as in claim 9, wherein the reflective element is
constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of
stainless steel, echogenic coatings, polymers, filled polymers,
gold, tantalum, platinum, and palladium.
17. A catheter system as in claim 9, wherein the imaging device has
a diameter in the range from about 0.20 mm to about 2 mm.
18. An attachment for a catheter, the attachment comprising: a
tubular member which is adapted to be attached over the catheter
proximal to an exit port of the catheter, the tubular member being
constructed of an ultrasonically reflective material and having a
unique shape which is adapted to produce a unique image when
visualized with an ultrasonic image element which is rotated in a
lumen of the catheter.
19. A method for visualizing a body lumen, the method comprising:
introducing a catheter into a body lumen, the catheter comprising a
catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen which
terminates in an exit port at the distal end, and an ultrasonically
recognizable pattern disposed proximally to or at the exit port;
introducing an elongate imaging device into the lumen, the imaging
device having an imaging element near a distal end; rotating the
imaging device and actuating the imaging element to produce an
image of the body lumen; and stopping rotation of the imaging
device when an image of the recognizable pattern is detected to
prevent advancement of the rotating imaging device through the exit
port and into the body lumen.
20. A method as in claim 19, further comprising inserting the
catheter over a guide wire to introduce the catheter into the body
lumen, and withdrawing the guide wire from the lumen prior to
introducing the imaging device.
21. A method as in claim 19, further comprising deploying a
therapeutic element from the catheter while producing the image of
the body lumen.
22. A method as in claim 21, wherein the therapeutic element is a
balloon which is inflated within the body lumen.
23. A method as in claim 21, wherein the therapeutic element is a
stent which is expanded within the body lumen.
24. A method as in claim 19, wherein the recognizable pattern
comprises a reflective element having a unique shape, and wherein
rotation of the imaging device is stopped when a signal from the
ultrasonic imaging element indicates detection of the unique
shape.
25. A method as in claim 24, wherein the reflective element
includes at least one elongate aperture which produces a void in an
image generated by the imaging device.
26. A method for preventing the advancement of a rotating imaging
device beyond an exit port of a catheter, the method comprising:
rotating an imaging device having an imaging element within a lumen
of a catheter, the imaging device having an ultrasonically
recognizable pattern near or at a distal end; moving the imaging
device within the lumen; and stopping rotation of the imaging
device when a signal from the imaging device indicates that the
imaging device has reached the ultrasonically recognizable
pattern.
27. A method as in claim 26, further comprising deploying a
therapeutic element from the catheter while rotating the imaging
device.
28. A method as in claim 26, wherein the recognizable pattern
comprises a reflective element having a unique shape, and wherein
rotation of the imaging device is stopped when a signal from the
ultrasonic imaging element indicates detection of the unique
shape.
29. A method as in claim 28, wherein the reflective element
includes at least one elongate aperture which produces a void in an
image generated by the imaging device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to the field of ultrasonic
imaging, and in particular to the imaging of body lumens or
cavities. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of
imaging devices that are rotated at high speeds to produce an image
of a body lumen or cavity.
[0002] The use of rotatable imaging devices to produce an image of
a body lumen is well known. For example, one pioneering effort is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,931, the complete disclosure of
which is herein incorporated by reference. In U.S. Pat. No.
4,794,931, a drive cable having an imaging element at a distal end
is rotated within a catheter to product an image of a diseased
region prior to therapy.
[0003] Recently, there has been an advancement in the field of
rotatable imaging devices where the size of the imaging devices has
been substantially reduced. For instance, one such imaging device
is described generally in copending U.S. application Ser. No.
09/017,578, filed Feb. 3, 1998, the complete disclosure of which is
herein incorporated by reference. Such an imaging device is small
enough to operate within traditional guide wire lumens of
therapeutic catheters, such as angioplasty balloon catheters.
[0004] One potential problem that may arise when operating imaging
devices within catheter lumens having a distal exit port, such as
within guide wire lumens of therapeutic catheters, is that the
rotating imaging device may accidentally be advanced beyond the
distal exit port and into the body lumen, thereby posing a risk of
damage to the luminal wall.
[0005] Hence, it would be desirable to provide a way to prevent the
unwanted advancement of a rotating imaging device beyond a distal
exit port of a catheter. Such a safeguard should be reliable and
easy to use to maximize its acceptance in the industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides exemplary techniques for preventing
the unwanted advancement of a rotating imaging device beyond an
exit port of a catheter and into a body lumen. In one exemplary
embodiment, a catheter is provided which comprises a catheter body
having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen, such as a guide
wire lumen, which terminates in an exit port at the distal end. An
ultrasonically recognizable pattern is disposed proximally to or at
the exit port. The recognizable pattern is provided to produce a
unique image when imaged with an imaging element of an imaging
device which is rotated within the lumen.
[0007] The catheter is preferably included as part of a system
which includes a controller having a motor to rotate the imaging
device. The controller is configured to stop rotation of the
imaging device upon receipt of a signal from the imaging device
indicating that the presence of the recognizable pattern has been
detected. In this way, once the imaging device has been advanced
through the lumen and up to the recognizable pattern, the presence
of the pattern will be detected by the controller which will stop
rotation of the imaging device. As such, if the imaging device is
advanced beyond the exit port, the imaging device will not be
rotating, thus substantially reducing the chances of damaging the
luminal or cavity wall. Alternatively, if the motor is employed to
also translate the imaging device, the signal may be employed to
stop translation of the imaging device so that the rotating imaging
device will not be advanced distally beyond the exit port.
[0008] A wide variety of recognizable patterns may be provided to
indicate when the imaging device has advanced too far within the
lumen. For example, the pattern may comprise a tubular reflective
member which is crimped or otherwise attached about the tubular
body. Other patterns which may be employed include ultrasonically
reflective materials having a variety of shapes and sizes which may
be attached to or integrally formed within the catheter body,
echogenic coatings, changes in the diameter of the catheter body,
the distal end of the catheter body, and the like. Preferably, the
pattern is fashioned to have a shape or configuration which allows
it to be differentiated from the rest of the image. For example,
the pattern may include a plurality of elongate apertures which
will appear as voids in the resulting image, thus differentiating
the pattern from a stent. As the controller recognizes the voids,
rotation of the imaging device is stopped.
[0009] The catheter is preferably a therapeutic catheter having a
therapeutic element for treating a region of the body lumen. For
example, the therapeutic element may comprise an angioplasty
balloon. As another example, the therapeutic element may comprise a
stent delivery system. As a further examples, the therapeutic
element may comprise a laser or a rotatable cutting element.
[0010] In another aspect, the lumen preferably extends the length
of the catheter body. In this way, the catheter may be inserted
into the body lumen over a guide wire in an over-the-wire manner.
Typically, the lumen will have a diameter in the range from about
0.25 mm to about 5 mm, and from about 0.25 mm to about 0.5 mm for
applications within the coronary arteries. The imaging device
preferably has a diameter in the range from about 0.20 mm to about
2 mm.
[0011] The invention further provides an exemplary attachment for a
catheter that has a lumen terminating in an exit port at a distal
end of the catheter. The attachment comprises a tubular member
which may be coupled about the catheter proximal to the exit port.
The tubular member is constructed of an ultrasonically reflective
material and has a unique shape that will produce a unique image
when imaged with an ultrasonic imaging element which is rotated
within the lumen. In this way, a catheter may be conveniently
modified so that it may be used with a safety system that will stop
rotation of an imaging element upon detection of the tubular
member.
[0012] In one exemplary method of the invention, a body lumen is
visualized by introducing a catheter into the body lumen. The
catheter comprises a catheter body having a lumen which terminates
in an exit port and an ultrasonically recognizable pattern disposed
at or near the exit port. An imaging device is introduced through
the lumen and positioned so that an imaging element is at a
location that is to be imaged. The imaging device is rotated while
the imaging element is actuated to produce an image of the body
lumen. Rotation of the imaging device is stopped if an image of the
pattern is detected so that advancement of the rotating imaging
device beyond the exit port is prevented. Alternatively,
translation of the imaging device may be stopped so that the
rotating imaging device will not moved distally beyond the exit
port.
[0013] In one aspect, the catheter is introduced into the body
lumen by advancing the catheter over a guide wire. Once properly
positioned, the guide wire is withdrawn and the imaging device is
introduced into the guide wire lumen.
[0014] In another aspect, a therapeutic element is deployed while
the imaging device is rotating to produce an image of the
therapeutic element. In this way, the body lumen may be visualized
throughout the therapeutic procedure. For example, visualization
may occur while a balloon is being inflated or a stent is being
deployed. The pattern preferably has a unique shape to allow it to
be easily differentiated from the therapeutic element. In this way,
once the unique shape is detected, rotation of the imaging device
may be stopped.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary imaging system
according to the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a catheter having a
tubular reflective member disposed near a distal end according to
the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the catheter of FIG. 2
taken along lines A-A.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary tubular
reflective member according the invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away side view of a distal end of
a catheter having the tubular reflective member of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tubular
reflective member disposed about a distal end of a catheter
according to the invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates the catheter of FIG. 4 having an imaging
element of a rotating imaging device disposed within the tubular
reflective member according to the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a reflected image that is detected by the
imaging element of FIG. 6 when disposed within the tubular
reflective member according to the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a distal end of a catheter
showing an electrical circuit which is opened when an imaging
device is advanced beyond a distal end of the catheter according to
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 9. illustrates a cross-sectional end view of a distal
end of a catheter having a plurality of radiopaque markers disposed
within the catheter body according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The invention provides various systems and techniques to
prevent the advancement of a rotating imaging device beyond a
distal exit port of a catheter. In this way, if the imaging device
is inadvertently advanced beyond the exit port and into a body
lumen or cavity, the techniques provided by the invention will stop
rotation of the imaging device to substantially reduce or eliminate
the risk of perforating the wall of the body lumen.
[0026] The invention may be used with essentially any rotatable
imaging device which is rotated within a lumen or cavity of a
catheter body to produce an image. Such imaging devices typically
comprise an elongate drive cable having an ultrasonic imaging
element or transducer disposed at a distal end. Such imaging
devices include, among others, imaging cores, imaging wires,
imaging guide wires, and the like. Merely by way of example,
rotatable imaging devices which may be used with the invention are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,931, previously incorporated by
reference, and in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/017,578,
filed Feb. 3, 1998 and Ser. No. 60/059,718, filed Sep. 22, 1997,
the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
[0027] The rotatable imaging devices of the invention may have a
wide range of outer dimensions, including outer diameters in the
range from about 0.20 mm to about to about 0.5 mm for applications
within the coronary arteries. Such a range of diameters allows the
imaging devices to be used within conventional guide wire
lumens.
[0028] Catheters which may be used with the invention preferably
comprise a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at
least one lumen which terminates at an exit port at the distal end.
In many cases, the lumen will comprise a guide wire lumen which is
employed to introduce the catheter into a body lumen in an
over-the-wire manner. Following insertion, the guide wire lumen
serves as an imaging lumen to receive the imaging device so that an
image may be produced. Because the lumen terminates at the distal
end, the invention provides techniques for stopping rotation of the
imaging device either before or upon the exit of the imaging device
from the exit port. Exemplary catheters having a lumen which
terminates in an exit port at the distal end include PTCA
catheters, PCA catheters, various other balloon catheters,
atherectomy catheters, "common lumen" catheters as described
generally in U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,408, the complete disclosure of
which is herein incorporated by reference, and the like. The
imaging lumens of such catheters have a diameter which is large
enough to receive the rotatable imaging device so that an image may
be produced.
[0029] The invention may be used in connection with a variety of
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which involve the use of a
rotatable imaging device. Such procedures can include, for example,
imaging in real time stent deployment and placement, imaging during
placement of radiation devices in radiation procedures, imaging
during directional coronary atherectomy procedures (DCA), imaging
during placement of a balloon during balloon angioplasty
procedures, imaging while placing stent grafts, imaging during
neurology procedures, imaging during urology procedures, imaging
during gastrointestinal procedures, imaging intracardiac structures
during ablation, and the like.
[0030] Advancement of the rotating imaging device beyond the distal
exit port is preferably accomplished by providing an ultrasonically
recognizable pattern at or proximal to the distal end of the
catheter body. During imaging, the imaging element captures a
reflected signal which is sent to a controller to produce an image.
When the imaging element reaches the pattern, a signal is reflected
indicating the presence of the pattern. Once the pattern is
detected by the controller, rotation of the imaging device is
stopped so that the imaging device will not be rotating when
advanced beyond the distal end of the catheter body. In one
alternative, a motor which is employed to translate the imaging
device through the catheter body may be stopped when the pattern is
detected. In this way, the imaging device will be prevented from
distally advancing beyond the exit port.
[0031] A wide variety of ultrasonically reflective patterns may be
employed to assist in stopping rotation of the imaging device upon
detection of the pattern. For example, the pattern may comprise a
tubular reflective element that is disposed about the catheter
body. In this way, an existing catheter may easily be modified to
include an ultrasonically reflective pattern that may be detected
to stop rotation of the imaging device.
[0032] Other ultrasonically reflective patterns include echogenic
coatings, such as Echo-Coat.TM., that provide an acoustically
reflective interface between the catheter and the coating. Such
coatings may be blended in the catheter body or applied to an
external surface of the catheter body. Preferably, the remainder of
the catheter body is constructed of an echo translucent or an
acoustically transparent polymer(s) so that the remainder of the
catheter body is not displayed in the image produced on the
monitor. Such coatings may be applied circumferentially or in any
type of pattern that may be recognized and detected.
[0033] Other possible ultrasonically recognizable patterns include
the use of ultrasonically reflective polymers which are disposed at
or near the distal end of the catheter body. Such polymers may be
formed as part of a co-extrusion or as a blended material within
the catheter body. Such polymers are preferably fashioned in a
unique shape or composition to facilitate discernment of the
pattern. As another alternative, radiopaque markers may be disposed
on or within the catheter body and may be constructed from
materials such as gold, tantalum, platinum, palladium, and the
like. Such markers may be placed at known distances from each
other. The controller may be configured to detect these distances
in the resulting image to stop rotation of the imaging device.
Still further alternatives include the use of holes disposed in the
catheter body or a change in the diameter of the imaging lumen of
the catheter. As still another alternative, the distal end of the
catheter body may be detected to stop rotation of the imaging
device. In summary, the ultrasonically reflective pattern may
comprise any detectable pattern that may be differentiated from the
rest of the image produced to allow system software to stop the
imaging element from rotating and/or translating.
[0034] In one alternative embodiment, spring-loaded contacts may be
provided at the distal end of the catheter. In this way, when the
imaging device passes through the distal end, the contacts are
opened causing a break in an electrical circuit.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an
ultrasonic imaging system 10 will be described. System 10 comprises
a controller 12 which is coupled to a monitor 14. Controller 12 is
also coupled to a motor 16 which is employed to rotate a drive
cable 18 of an imaging device. Controller 12 includes circuitry and
software which is configured to receive a reflected signal from an
ultrasonic imaging element and to produce an image based on the
reflective signal on monitor 14. An exemplary controller which may
be used with the invention is a Clear View Ultra.TM. intraluminal
ultrasound system, commercially available from Boston Scientific
Corporation. A variety of commercially available motors may be
employed to rotate drive cable 18.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, one type of catheter 20 which may
be utilized with system 10 will be described, it being appreciated
that a wide variety of catheters may be employed with the invention
as previously described. Catheter 20 is representative of a
conventional PTCA catheter which comprises a catheter body 22
having a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26. Coupled to proximal
end 24 is a hub 28 having a balloon inflation port 30 and a guide
wire or imaging device entry port 32. As best shown in FIG. 2A,
disposed within catheter body 22 is a sheath 34 having a central
lumen 36. Disposed within lumen 36 is a guide wire 38. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, guide wire 38 extends between entry port 32
and distal end 26. As is known in the art, catheter 20 may be
inserted through a body lumen by first inserting guide wire 38 into
the lumen and then advancing catheter 20 over guide wire 38 in an
over-the-wire manner.
[0037] Catheter 20 further includes a balloon 39 which is inflated
by introducing a fluid through balloon inflation port 30. As best
illustrated in FIG. 2A, a balloon inflation lumen 40 is provided
between catheter body 22 and sheath 34 to deliver the fluid from
port 30 to balloon 39.
[0038] Also disposed at distal end 26 is a tubular reflective
member 42. Reflective member 42 is constructed of an ultrasonically
reflective material, such as stainless steel, and is placed about
catheter body 22. In this way, when guide wire 38 is withdrawn from
lumen 36 and an imaging device is inserted through lumen 36 and
rotated to produce an image, reflective member 42 will be
visualized by the imaging device if advanced up to reflective
member 42. The placement of reflective member 42 just distal to
balloon 39 is advantageous since the imaging element will often be
employed to visualize proper placement of balloon 39. In the event
that the imaging element is advanced beyond balloon 39, the
presence of reflective member 42 will be detected so that rotation
and/or translation of the imaging device may be stopped.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of a
tubular reflective member 44 will be described. Reflective member
44 comprises a tubular body 46 that is constructed of an
ultrasonically reflective or opaque material, such as stainless
steel. Tubular body 46 includes three elongate apertures 48. The
placement of apertures 48 is advantageous in that the resulting
image produced by the imaging device is essentially the inverse
image of that produced by a stent as described in greater detail
hereinafter. In this way, reflective member 44 may easily be
distinguished from a stent. Although shown with three elongate
apertures, it will be appreciated that the number, size and
geometry of the apertures may be varied. Use of a tubular body is
particularly advantageous in that it may easily be crimped or
otherwise attached about an existing catheter to provide the
catheter with an ultrasonically reflective pattern that may be
detected to stop rotation of the imaging device. As one example,
tubular body 46 may be crimped at one end to secure tubular body 46
to a catheter body 50 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, tubular body 46 may include a longitudinal
slit 52 to facilitate the crimping of tubular body 46 about
catheter body 50.
[0040] As illustrated in both FIGS. 4 and 5, catheter body 50
includes a lumen 54 into which a rotatable imaging device 56 is
received. Imaging device 56 includes an imaging element 58 which is
rotated within lumen 54 to produce an image of the area surrounding
catheter body 50 as is known in the art. Catheter body 50 further
includes an exit port 60. To prevent the advancement of imaging
device 56 through exit port 60 while imaging device 56 is rotating,
tubular reflective member 44 is placed just proximal to or at exit
port 60. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when imaging device 56 is
distally advanced within lumen 54, imaging element 58 will
eventually reach reflective member 44. The resulting image that is
detected by reflective member 44 is produced on a monitor screen as
illustrated in FIG. 7. In image 61, three echos 62 are illustrated
and represent the metallic areas of reflective member 44. Three
voids 64 exist which are representative of apertures 48 in tubular
body 46. When the controller detects the pattern of voids 64, it
knows that imaging device 56 has been advanced up to tubular
reflective member 44. As such, the controller will send a signal to
stop rotation of imaging device 56 so that if it is advanced beyond
exit port 60 it will not be rotating, thereby posing no risk of
danger to the luminal wall of the patient.
[0041] Referring back now to FIG. 1, a description of one exemplary
algorithm employed by controller 12 to stop rotation of motor 16
when the presence of an ultrasonically reflective pattern is
detected will be described. Such an algorithm is particularly
useful when employing a tubular member with three equidistantly
spaced slots which are parallel to the axis of the tubular member
as illustrated in FIG. 3. Such slots provide a distinct
ultrasonically detectable signature that does not occur naturally
within human vessel, or as a byproduct of transcatheter or surgical
interventions.
[0042] In this embodiment, controller 12 preferably acquires data
in Polar (R-.theta.) format. The data acquired includes a series of
individual frames (one complete 360 degree rotation of the imaging
device) of sample points. Controller 12 preferably acquires 256
equally spaced 8-bit samples along a vector, with 256 vectors per
frame (a frame being one complete 360 degree rotation of the
imaging device). One frame, or data set, is therefore a 256 by 256
array of 8-bit sample values. The distance from the transducer Face
(R), of a given data point, is determined by multiplying the sample
spacing (propagation speed of ultrasound times the sample period)
by the sample number (depth) along a given vector. The angle
(.theta.) in degrees relative to the beginning of the frame is
determined by dividing 360 degrees by the number of vectors within
a frame times the vector number (360 degrees/256*vector number).
Hence, the 8-bit sample at array position [0,0] is acquired at the
face of the transducer, when the imaging device is directed at the
12 O'clock position [255,127] is the last sample on the vector
pointed at the 6 O'clock position (middle of the frame 180
degrees).
[0043] The face of the transducer on the imaging device is located
a fixed depth within the catheter body. At the beginning of a
vector, acoustic energy is transmitted from the transducer. The
receiver begins sampling the vector, and an acoustic near field
artifact is generated that typically settles to a sample value less
than 50 (1/5 full-scale) by the outer edge of the catheter body.
When the imaging device is advanced into the tubular member, the
reflective material of which the tubular member is constructed
generates a return echo at the catheter body that will have a
sample value of at least 200 (4/5 full-scale). This high value is
present on all vectors directed at the tubular member. When the
imaging device is pointed at the slot within the tubular member,
the sample values will return to less than 50, and remain at this
low value until the tubular member is again encountered. A frame of
data sampled from within the tubular member contains a pattern of
three long (approximately 64 vectors) highs, and three short
(approximately 21 vectors) lows (depending on the thickness of the
slots) at the outer edge of the catheter body. This pattern is
present when the sample values are wrapped around so that the
beginning and end of the frame do not form separate highs and lows.
A digital signal processor or other suitable device is employed to
continuously monitor the sample values searching for this pattern.
When such a pattern is encountered, and repeated over a fixed
number of frames, then the digital signal processor commands the
motor rotating the imaging device to stop.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of a
catheter body 66 will be described. For convenience of discussion,
only a distal end of catheter body 66 will be described. Disposed
in catheter body 66 is an electrical circuit 68 having a pair of
contacts 70 which are biased together by a pair of springs 72. When
contacts 70 are adjacent to each other, the circuit is closed. If,
however, an imaging device is passed through an exit port 74,
contacts 70 will move apart from each other and cause the circuit
to open, providing that the imaging device tip is non-conductive.
The opening of circuit 68 may then be detected by the controller to
stop rotation of the imaging device in a manner similar to that
described with previous embodiments.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 9, another alternative embodiment of a
catheter body 76 will be described. Catheter body 76 is shown in
cross-section and includes four equally spaced radiopaque markers
78. Markers 78 are disposed at a distal end of catheter body 76 and
are spaced at known angles relative to each other so that the image
produced by the imaging device may be detected by the controller to
stop rotation of the imaging device. Although markers 78 are shown
within catheter body 76, it will be appreciated that markers 78 may
be disposed externally on catheter body 76. Further, the shape,
size, geometry and configuration of markers 78 may be varied to
produce a distinct recognizable image that may be employed to stop
rotation of the imaging device.
[0046] In another alternative of the invention, two or more
ultrasonically distinct patterns may be positioned such that a
region of interest is defined. For example, such patterns may be
placed at two ends of a balloon or stent. These patterns may be
employed to produce a start pattern and a stop pattern that is
recognized by the controller. In this way, the imaging device may
automatically be moved back and forth within the region of interest
to provide multiple views of the region of interest.
[0047] Although the foregoing invention has been described in
detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be
appreciated that certain modifications may be practiced within the
scope of the appended claims.
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