General Electric Company, Global Research Ultrasound Laboratory, Niskayuna, NY, USA.
IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2011 Jul;58(7):1478-91. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2011.1967.
We developed prototype real-time 3-D intracardiac echocardiography catheters with integrated micromotors, allowing internal oscillation of a low-profile 64-element, 6.2-MHz phased-array transducer in the elevation direction. Components were designed to facilitate rotation of the array, including a low-torque flexible transducer interconnect and miniature fixtures for the transducer and micromotor. The catheter tip prototypes were integrated with two-way deflectable 10-Fr catheters and used in in vivo animal testing at multiple facilities. The 4-D ICE catheters were capable of imaging a 90° azimuth by up to 180° elevation field of view. Volume rates ranged from 1 vol/sec (180° elevation) to approximately 10 vol/sec (60° elevation). We successfully imaged electrophysiology catheters, atrial septal puncture procedures, and detailed cardiac anatomy. The elevation oscillation enabled 3-D visualization of devices and anatomy, providing new clinical information and perspective not possible with current 2-D imaging catheters.
我们开发了带有集成微电机的实时 3-D 心内超声心动图导管原型，允许在提升方向上对低剖面的 64 元件、6.2MHz 相控阵换能器进行内部振荡。设计组件以方便阵列的旋转，包括低扭矩柔性换能器互连和用于换能器和微电机的微型固定装置。导管尖端原型与双向可弯曲的 10Fr 导管集成，并在多个设施中进行了体内动物测试。4-D ICE 导管能够通过高达 180°的仰角视野成像 90°方位角。体积率范围从 1 体积/秒（180°仰角）到大约 10 体积/秒（60°仰角）。我们成功地对电生理导管、房间隔穿刺程序和详细的心脏解剖结构进行了成像。仰角振荡能够实现设备和解剖结构的 3-D 可视化，提供了当前 2-D 成像导管不可能提供的新的临床信息和视角。
