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Rotatable transducer array for volumetric ultrasoundRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Diagnostic Testing, Detecting Nuclear, Electromagnetic, Or Ultrasonic Radiation, Ultrasonic, Structure Of Transducer Or Probe Assembly, Probe Placed In Vascular System Or Body Orifice, With Acoustical Or Display ImagingRotatable transducer array for volumetric ultrasound description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070167821, Rotatable transducer array for volumetric ultrasound. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The invention relates generally to a rotating transducer array system, and more particularly to a rotatable transducer array assembly for use in volumetric ultrasound imaging and catheter-guided treatment such as cardiac interventional procedures. [0002] Cardiac interventional procedures such as the ablation of atrial fibrillation are complicated due to the lack of an efficient method to visualize the cardiac anatomy in real-time. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has recently gained interest as a potential method to visualize interventional devices as well as cardiac anatomy in real-time. Current commercially available catheter-based intracardiac probes used for clinical ultrasound B-scan imaging have limitations associated with the monoplanar nature of the B-scan images. Real-time three-dimensional (RT3D) imaging may overcome these limitations. Existing one-dimensional (1D) catheter transducers have been used to make 3D ICE images by rotating the entire catheter, but the resulting images are not real-time. Other available RT3D ICE catheters use a two-dimensional (2D) array transducer to steer and focus the ultrasound beam over a pyramidal-shaped volume. Unfortunately, 2D array transducers require prohibitively large numbers of interconnections in order to adequately sample the acoustic aperture space to achieve sufficient spatial resolution and image quality. In addition, other challenges exist with 2D arrays, such as low sensitivity due to the small element size, and increases in system cost and complexity. Additionally, due to catheter size constraints, 2D arrays have fewer elements than desirable as well as small apertures thereby contributing to poor resolution and contrast and ultimately poor image quality. [0003] The issue of acquiring three-dimensional volumes has been addressed with the advent of 2D array transducers (e.g., Philips X4 or GE 3V probes), however, their applicability to space-constrained applications such as intracardiac echocardiography is limited due to the unachievable number of signal conductors and/or beamforming electronics that are required in order to adequately sample the aperture space and generate images with sufficient resolution. Further, there are rotating single-element or annular array transducers in catheters (e.g., Boston Scientific), however images are 2D or cone images, not 3D volumes. Mechanically scanning one-dimensional transducer arrays currently exist (e.g., GE Kretz "4D" probes), but have only been applied to much larger abdominal probes, where space constraints do not exist. [0004] As intracardiac interventional procedures are more commonly used, there is a need to overcome the problems described above. Further, there is a need to enable improved intracardiac imaging and interventional procedures, particularly where there are space constraints. BRIEF DESCRIPTION [0005] In a first aspect of the invention, a rotating transducer assembly for use in volumetric ultrasound imaging and catheter-guided procedures is provided. The rotating transducer assembly comprises a transducer array mounted on a drive shaft, a motion controller coupled to the transducer array and the drive shaft for rotating the transducer, and at least one interconnect assembly coupled to the transducer for transmitting signals between the transducer and an imaging device, wherein the interconnection assembly is configured to reduce its respective torque load on the transducer and motion controller due to a rotating motion of the transducer. [0006] In a second aspect of the invention, a method for volumetric imaging and catheter-guided procedures is provided. The method comprises obtaining imaging data for at least one region of interest using an imaging catheter and displaying the imaging data for use in at least one of imaging and treatment of a selected region of interest. The imaging catheter comprises a transducer array mounted on a drive shaft, the transducer array rotatable with the drive shaft, a motion controller coupled to the transducer array and the drive shaft for rotating the transducer, and at least one interconnect assembly coupled to the transducer for transmitting signals between the transducer and an imaging device, wherein the interconnection assembly is configured to reduce its respective torque load on the transducer and motion controller due to a rotating motion of the transducer. DRAWINGS [0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: [0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound imaging and therapy system, in accordance with aspects of the present technique; [0009] FIG. 2 is a side and internal view of an exemplary embodiment of a rotating transducer array assembly for use in the imaging system of FIG. 1; [0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of components of a rotating transducer array that are applicable to embodiments of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 4 is another illustration of a catheter for use in the imaging system of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an interconnect assembly to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0013] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an interconnect assembly to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0014] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an interconnect assembly to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0015] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0016] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0017] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0018] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0019] FIG. 12 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0020] FIG. 13 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; [0021] FIG. 14 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a motion controller to which embodiments of the present invention are applicable; Continue reading about Rotatable transducer array for volumetric ultrasound... 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