ULTRASOUND 2D INTEGRATED ARRAY

描述（由申请人提供）：超声成像在许多临床专业中具有广泛的应用。 真实的时间容积成像（RT 3D）有望在图像引导的介入治疗中发挥重要作用。血管内（IVUS）和血管内（ICE）超声也有重要的临床应用。 他们建议进一步加强这些新模式的能力。 迄今为止，IVUS和ICE是仅允许动脉粥样硬化斑块或心肌壁的截面视图的断层摄影技术。 对斑块附近的整个血管几何形状进行成像或通过可视化心肌的扩展补丁将提高效用。 RT 3D与真实的时间渲染相结合，现在允许基于导管的超声可视化，类似于使用光纤获得的可视化。 目前的实现证明了较差的图像质量。 前视2D阵列太大而无法进入较小的血管（例如，冠状动脉），并且它们存在灵敏度不足、阵列采样不足和生产成本高的问题。 为了克服这些限制，他们提出了一个两阶段的开发，用于基于MEMS处理技术的独特2D阵列，以与先进的定制电路集成。 在第一阶段，我们将构建，评估和优化独特的多层10-30 MHz换能器阵列在弯曲，而不是厚度模式。 在第2阶段，他们提出了6 F导管的构建和评估，该导管具有前瞻性2D阵列，具有300多个有源元件。 提出了体外和有限的体内试验，导管将与现有的RT 3D系统连接。 所提出的多层集成阵列方法也可以应用于非侵入性RT 3D，以显着提高图像质量。 基于高质量前瞻性导管的超声成像将允许心血管导航，并允许评估斑块位置和大小、心脏形态和心肌病理。 它将有助于放置其他器械，如起搏导线，并允许在线可视化心脏介入治疗，如消融治疗。 改进的2D阵列的开发对于实现RT 3D在诊断和图像引导治疗的重要新领域中的全部潜力至关重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Ultrasound imaging has found wide application in many clinical specialties. Real time volumetric imaging (RT3D) promises to play an important role in image-guided interventions. Intervascular (IVUS) and intravascular (ICE) ultrasound has also found important clinical applications. They propose to further enhance the capabilities of these new modalities. To date, IVUS and ICE are tomographic techniques permitting only sectional views of artheroscloratic plaque or the myocardial walls. Imaging the entire vessel geometry near a plaque or by visualizing an extended patch of the myocardium will enhance utility. RT3D combined with real time rendering now permits catheter-based ultrasound visualization analogous to that obtainable with fiber optics. Current implementations evidence poor image quality. The forward-looking 2D arrays are too large to access smaller vessels (e.g., coronary arteries), and they suffer from lack of sensitivity, undersampling of the array, and high production costs. To overcome these limitations, they propose a two-stage development for unique 2D arrays based on MEMS processing technology to be integrated with advanced custom circuits. In Phase 1, we will construct, evaluate, and optimize unique multilayer 10-30 MHz transducer arrays operating in the flexure rather than the thickness mode. In Phase 2 they propose the construction and evaluation of 6F catheters with forward-looking 2D arrays with over 300 active elements. In vitro and limited in vivo tests are proposed and the catheter will be interfaced with an extant RT3D system. The proposed multilayer integrated array methodology can also be applied to non-invasive RT3D to significantly improve image quality. High quality forward-looking catheter based ultrasound imaging will permit cardiovascular navigation and allow assessment of plaque location and size, cardiac morphology, and myocardial pathology. It will aid in the placement of other devices such as pacing wires and will permit on-line visualization of cardiac interventions such as ablation therapy. The development of improved 2D arrays is essential to the realization of the full potential of RT3D in diagnosis and in the vital new area of image guided therapies.