Three-dimensional forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound imaging of human arteries in vitro

Gatzoulis, Loukianos and Watson, Robin J. and Jordan, Lee B. and Pye, Stephen D. and Anderson, Tom and Uren, Neal and Salter, Donald M. and Fox, Keith A.A. and McDicken, W. Norman (2001) Three-dimensional forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound imaging of human arteries in vitro. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 27 (7). pp. 969-982. ISSN 0301-5629 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-5629(01)00371-4)

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Abstract

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° sector ahead of its tip. Conical volume data were acquired by rotating the catheter over 180° 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.