Passively Driven Probe Based on Miniaturized Propeller for Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) has significantly advanced in vivo medical diagnostics.
• Endoscopic OCT probes are crucial for various clinical applications, including cardiology.
• Existing probes often rely on complex and costly electrically driven scanning mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, passively driven intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) probe.
• To leverage fluid dynamics for probe actuation, reducing cost and complexity.
• To achieve stable, circumferential 360-degree scanning for intravascular imaging.

Main Methods:

• A passive-driven IV-OCT probe design utilizing the kinetic energy of flushing fluid.
• Conversion of fluid kinetic energy into rotational kinetic energy of a propeller.
• A rectangular prism mounted on the propeller shaft for beam scanning.

Main Results:

• The probe achieved a scanning speed exceeding 100 rotations per second.
• Demonstrated spectral-domain OCT imaging of a phantom and porcine cardiac artery.
• Achieved an axial resolution of 13.6 μm, lateral resolution of 22 μm, and sensitivity of 101.7 dB.

Conclusions:

• The passively driven IV-OCT probe offers a low-cost, effective solution for intravascular imaging.
• The probe enables unobstructed, stable, circumferential scanning.
• Further optimization of the probe design is discussed for enhanced performance.