Patent ID: 8932226
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An intravascular imaging device for insertion into vasculature, the intravascular imaging device comprising: an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a plurality of wave-emitting devices mounted on the shaft near the distal portion, wherein each of the plurality of wave-emitting devices comprises a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) configured for intravascular imaging, wherein each of the wave-emitting devices comprises a proximal side and a distal side, and wherein both the proximal side and the distal side include a plurality of membranes symmetrically and circumferentially disposed around the shaft and in a ring configuration such that a face of each of the plurality of membranes is oriented to emit waves; and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the shaft adjacent to and separate from the plurality of wave-emitting devices in an alternating pattern such that each of the plurality of reflectors is movable relative to an adjacent wave-emitting device about a flex point of the shaft, each of the plurality of reflectors comprising a reflective surface and positioned such that the reflective surface redirects waves to and from the plurality of membranes of the adjacent wave-emitting device, wherein the shaft includes a plurality of flex points such that each reflective surface is separated from the adjacent wave-emitting device by one of the plurality of flex points and such that the shaft is flexible between successive wave-emitting devices.