Patent ID: 8454519

Claim:
A forward-looking intravascular ultrasound device comprising: an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; an ultrasound transducer element disposed at least partially in the distal end of the elongated body and configured to rotate between at least a primary position and a secondary position about an axis of rotation that is generally normal to the longitudinal axis; and a local actuator comprising a first element, wherein the first element is secured to and does not move relative to the elongated body; a movable element, wherein the movable element is configured to move longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position, wherein the movable element is configured to intermittently engage the ultrasound transducer element and wherein the movable element engages the ultrasound transducer element at least when the movable element moves from the first position to the second position; and a first SMA actuator coupled to the first element and the movable element, wherein the first SMA actuator is configured to switch between an activated and deactivated state, wherein the movable element moves from the first position to the second position upon activation of the first SMA actuator; and wherein the ultrasound transducer element rotates about the axis of rotation at least when the movable element and ultrasound transducer element are engaged and the movable element moves from the first position to the second position.