Feasibility study for real time three dimensional Doppler intracardiac echocardiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular imaging
• Medical ultrasound technology
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Real-time 3D imaging offers enhanced visualization of complex anatomical structures and physiological processes.
• Current intracardiac echocardiography methods may have limitations in providing comprehensive flow dynamics and electrical data simultaneously.
• Advancements in transducer technology are crucial for improving diagnostic capabilities in cardiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate real-time three-dimensional (3D) color flow and spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging using catheter-mounted transducers.
• To assess the feasibility of integrating electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition with 3D intracardiac Doppler echocardiography.
• To investigate the utility of this novel system for in vivo cardiac imaging.

Main Methods:

• Construction of catheter-mounted 2D array transducers (5 MHz, up to 137 channels) within a 12 French lumen.
• Transducer configurations included side-scanning and beveled designs.
• Simultaneous ECG acquisition using six integrated electrodes.
• Doppler signal measurements in string and pulsatile flow phantoms.
• In vivo testing in an open-chest sheep model, inserting the catheter into cardiac chambers.

Main Results:

• Successful acquisition of real-time 3D color flow and spectral Doppler ultrasound images in phantoms.
• Demonstrated feasibility of simultaneous ECG recording.
• Obtained Doppler signals in various phantom setups.
• Preliminary in vivo evaluation in a sheep model indicated potential for intracardiac imaging.

Conclusions:

• Catheter-mounted 2D array transducers enable real-time 3D intracardiac Doppler echocardiography.
• The system integrates hemodynamic and electrical data acquisition for comprehensive cardiac assessment.
• This technology shows promise for advanced in vivo diagnosis of cardiac conditions.