Abstract:
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for determining a mean transit time of a bolus within the blood vessel by passing the bolus through the blood vessel while an intravascular imaging probe is held stationary. The probe may collect a plurality of image frames as the bolus passes the probe. The cross-sectional area of the bolus within the images frames may be determined by segmenting each image frame by thresholding, creating a vessel mask, and creating a contrast mask by applying an element-wise AND operator to the thresholded image and the vessel mask. The cross- sectional area of the bolus for the image frames may be plotted on an area dilution curve. Various fits may be applied to and various points may be identified on the area dilution curve. The various fits and points may be used to determine the mean transit time.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides systems and methods to receiving OCT or IVUS image data frames to output one or more representations of a blood vessel segment. The image data frames may be stretched and/or aligned using various windows or bins or alignment features. Arterial features, such as the calcium burden, may be detected in each of the image data frames. The arterial features may be scored. The score may be a stent under-expansion risk. The representation may include an indication of the arterial features and their respective score. The indication may be a color coded indication.
Abstract:
In part, the invention relates to catheters, methods, and blood clearing technologies suitable for use in an optical coherence tomography system. The optical coherence tomography system includes a control system, a probe including a catheter defining a lumen and a rotatable optical fiber located within the lumen, a fluid cartridge holder in communication with the lumen of the probe, a pump to move fluid from the fluid cartridge to the lumen of the probe; and a motor configured to rotate and pull the optical fiber through the lumen of a blood vessel. The pump and the motor are controlled by the control system. The catheter can include a wall that bounds the lumen of the probe, which defines a flush port and includes a valve in fluid communication with the flush port, the valve configured to permit fluid from the lumen to pass through the wall.
Abstract:
In part, the invention relates to methods, devices, and systems suitable for controlling a light source (7). The light source is configured for use in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system (5). The light source (7) can be controlled with a drive waveform (10, 22, 55, 70). Linearizing and symmetrizing parameters of the light source (7) such as forward (35, 60, 75) and backward (33, 63, 77) scan durations is achieved using a suitable drive waveform (22, 55, 70). Phase, amplitude, and other parameters for different harmonics of a fundamental wave can be identified that improve operating parameters such as the duty cycle and peak frequency matching between scans. The fundamental wave and one or more of such harmonics can be combined to generate the suitable drive wave form (10, 22, 55, 70). The light source (7) can include a tunable light source that includes or is in optical communication with a tunable filter (9).
Abstract:
In part, the invention relates to systems, methods, and devices that store and retrieve information associated with an imaging probe such as an ultrasound probe, as optical coherence tomography probe, a multimodal probe and other probes. The information mat is stored' relates to one or more measurable properties for a specific imaging probe. Thus, when each probe is manufactured there can be variations in its length, brightness., angular alignment of its constituent elements, and various other probe specific measurements, hi turn, these measurements can be used to calibrate or otherwise use a given probe with a system that collects, stores, or otherwise processes information collected using each probe.
Abstract:
In part, aspects of the invention relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for intensity and/or pattern line noise reduction in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system that uses an electromagnetic radiation source and interferometric principles. In one embodiment, the noise is intensity noise or line pattern noise and the source is a laser such as a swept laser. One or more attenuators responsive to one or more control signals can be used in conjunction with an analog or digital feedback network in one embodiment.
Abstract:
In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of flushing a lumen of interest having a first diameter and a lumen wall. The method can include the steps of selecting a flush solution such that the flush solution lowers a fluid removal rate of a plurality of terminating lumens, the terminating lumens branching from and in fluid communication with the lumen of interest, at least one of the terminating lumens having a second diameter, the second diameter smaller than the first diameter; flushing the lumen with the flush solution; and collecting optical tomography scan data relative to a portion of the lumen wall.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention relates to a probe. The probe includes a sheath, a flexible, bi-directionally rotatable, optical subsystem positioned within the sheath, the optical subsystem comprising a transmission fiber, the optical subsystem capable of transmitting and collecting light of a predetermined range of wavelengths along a first beam having a predetermined beam size. The probe also includes an ultrasound subsystem, the ultrasound subsystem positioned within the sheath and adapted to propagate energy of a predetermined range of frequencies along a second beam having a second predetermined beam size, wherein a portion of the first and second beams overlap a region during a scan.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable storage media for calculating lumen-centered calcium arcs. A method includes receiving, by one or more processors, an image frame and an identification of a region of plaque in the image frame. The image frame is taken while the imaging device is in a lumen depicted in the image frame. The one or more processors identify a lumen-center of the lumen in the image frame, and generate a lumen-centered arc having a coverage angle centered on the lumen-center, using at least the lumen-center.
Abstract:
In part, the disclosure relates to systems and methods to assess stent / scaffold expansion in a vessel on an expedited time scale after stent / scaffold placement and expansion. In one embodiment, the method generates a first representation of a stented segment of the blood vessel indicative of a level of stent expansion; determines using the detected stent struts, a first end of the stent and a second end of the stent; and generate a second representation of the segment of the blood vessel by interpolating a lumen profile using an offset distance from the first end and the second end.