Enhanced Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging Assembly with Advanced Support Member and Integrated Sensors

An improved intravascular ultrasound imaging device featuring an enhanced support member with spiral or helical structure, integrated temperature sensors, and optimized imaging parameters for enhanced image quality and reduced risk of damage during insertion and navigation.

The original patent disclosed an intravascular imaging device with a support member and flex circuit positioned around it. However, the original design had limitations in terms of flexibility, risk of damage, and image quality. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an enhanced support member with spiral or helical structure, novel flex circuit design with integrated temperature sensors, and optimized imaging parameters.

The enhanced intravascular ultrasound imaging assembly comprises an imaging assembly with an advanced support member featuring a spiral or helical structure, allowing for improved flexibility and reduced risk of damage during insertion and navigation within the vessel. The imaging assembly further includes a novel flex circuit design with integrated temperature sensors, enabling real-time monitoring of temperature fluctuations during the imaging procedure. Additionally, the system optimizes the frequency of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the transducer array based on the vessel's diameter and geometry, ensuring optimal image resolution and minimizing artifacts. The patient interface module includes an advanced noise reduction algorithm, providing improved signal-to-noise ratio and enhanced image quality. Furthermore, the imaging assembly features a removable and interchangeable transducer array, allowing for easy replacement and upgrade of the transducer array without requiring replacement of the entire imaging assembly.

The new inventive concept introduces several novel features, including the spiral or helical support member structure, integrated temperature sensors in the flex circuit, and optimized imaging parameters based on vessel geometry. These features provide improved flexibility, reduced risk of damage, and enhanced image quality, making the new inventive concept non-obvious and novel compared to the original patent.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the spiral or helical structure of the support member, using different materials for the flex circuit, or incorporating additional sensors or imaging modalities. The removable and interchangeable transducer array could also be adapted for use in other medical imaging applications.

The enhanced intravascular ultrasound imaging assembly has significant commercial potential in the medical imaging industry, particularly in interventional cardiology and vascular surgery. The improved image quality, reduced risk of damage, and optimized imaging parameters could lead to increased adoption and market share in these fields.