Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography Utilizing a Miniature Piezoelectric-Driven Probe

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) is vital for assessing lumen dimensions and guiding interventions.
• Existing IV-OCT catheters struggle with precise, full 360° imaging in tortuous vasculature due to rotational distortions and wiring artifacts.
• Limitations include non-uniform rotational distortion (NURD) in proximal actuator systems and imaging gaps in distal micromotor systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a miniature optical scanning probe with an integrated piezoelectric-driven fiber optic slip ring (FOSR).
• To enable smooth navigation and precise, artifact-free 360° imaging within tortuous blood vessels.
• To overcome the limitations of current IV-OCT catheter designs.

Main Methods:

• Designed a compact probe (0.85 mm diameter, 7 mm length) incorporating a piezoelectric-driven FOSR.
• The FOSR utilizes a coil spring-wrapped optical lens for efficient 360° scanning.
• Employed high-precision 3D printing for accurate optical alignment and integration.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high rotational speed of 10,000 rpm with minimal insertion loss variation (max 2.67 dB).
• Demonstrated smooth probe insertion in a carotid artery model.
• Verified precise optical scanning, comprehensive 360° imaging, and artifact elimination using various phantoms and ex vivo porcine vessels.

Conclusions:

• The developed FOSR probe offers a small size, rapid rotation, and high optical precision.
• This technology effectively addresses challenges in IV-OCT imaging of tortuous vessels.
• The FOSR probe shows significant promise for advancing intravascular optical imaging techniques.