WO2018117392A1 - Fusion image acquiring system for diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fusion image acquiring system for diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. According to the present invention, a fusion image is acquired through ultrasonic waves and optical signals, and thus the system has the advantages of conventional intravascular image acquisition systems and, simultaneously, can acquire images having excellent resolution and histologic feature information of lesions, thereby having an effect of enabling the accuracy of intravascular lesion diagnosis to improve.

Description

Fusion Image Acquisition System for Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis

The present invention relates to a fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease.

In order to diagnose and treat lesions of the human body, many medical fields, such as the digestive system, the heart and neurovascular system, the skin, and the eye, require medical imaging.

In this case, for example, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technique using ultrasound (US) is one of methods for imaging blood vessels to detect blood vessel status.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) inserts a catheter including an ultrasound transducer into a blood vessel, applies an ultrasonic signal to a region of interest (ROI) in the human body, and reflects it from the tissue to return. Receiving an ultrasound signal to image the structure of the region of interest, it is possible to diagnose internal conditions such as the structure of the vascular plaque, the degree of arteriosclerosis and the degree of calcification of the vessel wall.

Techniques for imaging the inside of blood vessels using ultrasound are disclosed in Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1059824 (Application Date: September 09, 2010, Registration Date: August 22, 2011), Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-537137 (Application Date: 2014 November 20, notification date: December 01, 2016).

In the case of intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS), morphological observation such as the structure of the inner wall of the vessel and the structure of the plaque can be observed through the ultrasound image, but the histological characteristics of the intravascular tissue cannot be known. Early diagnosis and prevention were difficult problems.

On the other hand, in addition to the ultrasound technology in the blood vessels using ultrasound techniques for imaging the blood vessels (Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)) image acquisition technology, photoacoustic (PA) image acquisition technology and the like.

Here, the optical interference tomography (OCT) is divided into two optical signals of the optical signals generated from the light source through the catheter inserted into the blood vessel, one optical signal is reflected from the surface of the region of interest by irradiating light, the other The optical signal interferes with the optical signal returned from the region of interest and acquires an image by imaging the information about the optical signal. At this time, the obtained image can acquire an image 20 times or more detailed than the image obtained by ultrasound.

In addition, the photoacoustic (PA) image absorbs the light irradiated through the catheter inserted into the blood vessel tissue located in the region of interest in the blood vessel, wherein the tissue tissue converts light energy into thermal energy and thermal expansion due to the converted thermal energy By the photoacoustic signal is emitted. At this time, it is possible to obtain an image of the ROI by detecting the signal and to obtain histological characteristic information on lipid, melanin, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and the like.

On the other hand, the single imaging technique as described above has its advantages and disadvantages. It is common to diagnose from an image obtained through intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) using ultrasound, but it may be difficult to determine the exact lesion.

For example, in the case of coronary arteries, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) makes it difficult to obtain histological features of fine intravascular arteriosclerosis, so that optical coherence tomography (OCT) or photoacoustic (PA) images can be obtained. Since the catheter must be reinserted to obtain information on the histological characteristics of the lesion, there is a risk of complications as the catheter is inserted several times to obtain an image containing the information necessary for accurate diagnosis of blood vessels. .

Accordingly, there is a need for fusion of different image acquisition techniques to overcome the disadvantages of each of the single imaging techniques and obtain necessary information according to the lesion.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of accurately determining the histological characteristics of a lesion by providing an ultrasound image and an optical image.

In order to achieve the above object, a fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a head positioned at one end and a tube extending from the head to the other end and having an optical signal line and an electric signal line. A catheter that outputs or receives light and sound signals in the blood vessel through the head; A pull-back device through which the tube is coupled and guides the rotation and movement of the catheter and provides a connection terminal connected to the electric signal line; A first signal transmission device connected to the optical signal line to provide a first light source to the catheter, wherein the catheter receives an optical signal received from an intravascular region; A second signal transmission device connected to the optical signal line and providing a second light source to the catheter; A third signal transmission device connected to a connection terminal of the pullback device to provide an electric signal for generating sound waves to the catheter through the electric signal line, and to receive an electric signal for the sound wave signal received from the intravascular region by the catheter; ; An image processing apparatus for generating an image by receiving the optical and electrical signals provided from the catheter; An output device for outputting the processed image from the image processing device; And a control device for controlling the pullback device, the first signal transmission device, the second signal transmission device, the third signal transmission device, the image processing device, and the output device.

In this case, the image processing apparatus may generate different images according to a device for providing light or sound waves transmitted from the catheter to blood vessels.

The catheter may include a light transmitting unit coupled to an optical member at one end of the optical signal line located at the head, and a sound wave transmitting unit connected to one end of the electric signal line to perform mutual conversion between an electric signal and a sound wave signal and to transmit and receive a sound wave signal. It can include;

In this case, the optical signal line is disposed on the central axis of the tube, and has two independent optical signal transmission portions divided into a central portion and an outer portion, wherein the central portion and the outer portion of the optical signal transmission portion have different refractive indices. The signal is transmitted, and the first light source and the second light source may be transmitted to the central portion and the outer portion of the optical signal transmission portion, respectively.

In addition, the pullback device, the first motor and the tube is coupled through the rotation drive module including a rotation unit for rotating in the circumferential direction of the tube by the operation of the first motor; A linear driving module coupled to one side of a second motor and the rotary driving module, the linear driving module including a movement inducing unit guiding the movement of the rotary driving module in the longitudinal direction of the tube according to the operation of the second motor; And a control module for controlling the rotation driving module and the linear driving module.

In addition, the rotating part may include a connection terminal connected to the electrical signal line, and may pass through the optical signal line, maintain the parallel of the optical signal line during rotation by the operation of the first motor and guide the rotation.

The first signal transmission device may include: a coupler unit that divides the first light source and is connected to the optical signal line; A reference mirror configured to receive a first light source from the coupler to generate first reflected light; And a second light source that is transmitted to the light transmitting unit through the first reflected light and the optical signal line to the intravascular region, and the first light source is reflected from the intravascular region to receive the light transmitting unit. And a first light detector configured to receive the reflected light through the optical signal line and detect the second reflected light.

The second signal transmission device may further include: a splitter for dividing a second light source into a 2-1 light source and a 2-2 light source, and transmitting the second-2 light source to the optical signal line; And a second light detector detecting the second light source and converting the second light source into an electrical signal. The second light source converted into an electrical signal by the second light detector includes: It may be a reference signal.

The third signal transmission device may further include: a sound wave transceiver configured to provide an electric signal for generating sound waves to the sound wave transmission unit through the electric signal line or to receive a first sound wave signal received from the sound wave transmission unit as an electric signal; It includes, The sound wave transceiver may be electrically connected to the rotating unit.

At this time, the sound wave transceiver is generated by the 2-1 light source absorbed in the blood vessel on the irradiated area irradiated by the 2-1 light source transmitted from the second signal transmitting device to the optical signal line through the light transmitting unit. The second sound wave signal may be received.

When the second reflected light is detected by the first photodetector, the controller may control the image processing apparatus to generate a first image by analyzing interference information between the first reflected light and the second reflected light. have.

The controller may control the image processing apparatus to generate a second image by analyzing the second sound wave signal and the reference signal when the sound wave transceiver receives the second sound wave signal. .

The control device may control the image processing device to generate a third image by analyzing the first sound wave signal when the first sound wave signal is received in the third signal transceiver.

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

First, by providing a light transmitting unit and a sound wave transmitting unit in the catheter, it is possible to output or receive the ultrasound and light signals in the blood vessel, wherein the light transmitting unit has a different refractive index from a special optical fiber, such as a dual clad fiber Two light may be received to obtain an optical coherence tomography (OCT), optoacoustic (PA), and ultrasound (US) image.

Second, by performing fusion image acquisition through ultrasound and light signals, it has the advantages of the conventional vascular imaging system and at the same time it is possible to acquire the histologic characteristic information of the image and the lesion with excellent resolution to diagnose intravascular lesions Can increase the accuracy.

Third, it is possible to rotate about 360 degrees in the vessel and move in the longitudinal direction of the tube, so that it is possible to acquire a three-dimensional image of the inner wall of the vessel. When the catheter comes into contact with the vessel's inner wall, it moves simultaneously to reduce friction through rotation, thereby minimizing damage to the vessel's inner wall and obtaining fusion images.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 schematically illustrates a catheter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

3 schematically illustrates a pullback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 schematically shows a first rotational coupling portion of the pullback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the well-known technical parts will be omitted or compressed for brevity of description.

1 is a block diagram showing a fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a pullback device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a first rotatable coupling portion of a pullback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention is catheter 100, pullback device 200, the first signal transmission device 300, the second signal transmission device 400, the third signal And a delivery device 500, an image processing device 600, an output device 700, and a control device 800.

The catheter may include a body insertion means and an image scanning means, but the catheter 100 of the fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing a cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the image scanning means.

The catheter 100 may include a head 110 and a tube 120.

In this case, the head 110 may be located at one end of the catheter 100.

In addition, the tube 120 extends from the head 110 to the other end and may be provided in the form of a cable including an optical signal line 121 and an electrical signal line 122.

In this case, the light and sound wave signals in the blood vessel may be output or received through the head 100.

Here, the light transmitting unit 111 and the sound wave transmitting unit 112 may be located inside the head 110.

2, the optical member may be coupled to one end of the optical signal line 121 at a position adjacent to one end of the head 110.

In this case, the optical member may be provided with a lens 111a and a prism 111b, and a spacer 111c may be disposed between one end of the optical signal line 121 and the optical member.

In this case, the lens 111a is preferably provided as a GRIN lens, but is not limited thereto.

The optical signal line 121 may be disposed on the central axis of the tube 120, and may include two independent optical signal transmission parts divided into a central part 121a and an outer part 121b.

In this case, the central portion 121a and the outer portion 121b may transmit optical signals having different refractive indices.

In addition, the sound wave transmitting unit 112 may be connected to one end of the electrical signal line 122 adjacent to one end of the head 110 to perform mutual conversion of the electric signal and the sound wave signal, and may output or receive the sound wave signal in the blood vessel.

In this case, the sound wave transmitting unit 112 may be provided as an ultrasonic transducer in which variable signal conversion is performed using the piezoelectric effect.

In this case, the optical signal line 121 is preferably provided with a special optical fiber such as a dual clad fiber.

The tube 120 may further include a torque coil 123 that surrounds the optical signal line 121 and the electrical signal line 122.

At this time, the torque coil 123 is applied to the catheter 100 is rotated by the pullback device 200 to be described later can transmit the rotational force well in the bent blood vessel, it is possible to prevent the bending of the optical signal line 121.

The pullback device 200 may be coupled to the tube 120 to guide the rotation and movement of the catheter 100, and may provide a connection terminal S connected to the electrical signal line 122 in the tube 120. .

3 to 4, the pullback device 200 includes a rotation driving module 210, a linear driving module 220, and a control module 230.

Here, the rotation drive module 210 is configured to include a first motor 211, and the rotating unit 212.

At this time, the first motor 211 is provided with a first rotating portion 211a at one end for rotational driving.

In addition, the rotating unit 212 is coupled through the tube 120 including the optical signal line 121 and the electrical signal line 122, and rotates in the circumferential direction of the tube 120 by the operation of the first motor 211. Can be.

At this time, the rotating unit 212 includes a first rotary coupling portion 212a, a second rotary coupling portion 212b, and a connection portion 212c.

Here, the first rotation coupling portion 212a passes through the optical signal line 121 in the tube 120 and may be in contact with the electrical signal line 122.

In this case, the first rotatable coupling portion 212a may include a connection terminal S electrically connected to the electrical signal line 122, and the connection terminal S may be provided in the form of a slip ring. .

In addition, the first rotating coupling portion 212a is provided with a second rotating portion 212a-1 at one end, and the second rotating portion 212a-1 is provided through the first rotating portion 211a and the belt B. Can be connected.

In this case, the first rotating part 211a and the second rotating part 212a-1 may rotate the tube 120 coupled to the rotating part 212 by the operation of the first motor 211.

Here, since the first rotating portion 211a and the second rotating portion 212a-1 are connected to the belt B, the load on the first motor 211 is less when a problem occurs in rotational driving due to an obstacle element. Life shortening of the first motor 211 may not occur.

The first rotating part 211a and the second rotating part 212a-1 are preferably provided to have the same circumferential length, but may have different circumferential lengths.

In this case, the first rotating part 211a and the second rotating part 212a-1 are provided to have the same circumferential length so that the first rotating part 211a and the second rotating part 212a-1 have the same rotational speed. And rotation, which can be advantageously applied to the catheter 100 rotational speed control.

And, referring to Figure 4, the connection terminal (S) is a hollow (not shown) is formed in the center, through which the optical signal line 121 can pass through the first rotary coupling portion (212a).

In addition, a rotation axis (not shown) is provided along the circumference of the hollow, and a conductor 212a-2 and an insulator (not shown) may be positioned along the outer angle of the rotation axis.

Here, the conductor 212a-2 may be formed of a conductive metal such as aluminum or copper.

In this case, the electrical signal line 122 may be in contact with the conductor 212a-2, through which the first rotation coupling portion 212a may be electrically connected to the sound wave transceiver 510 to be described later.

The second rotation coupling portion 212b has a hollow (not shown) through which the optical signal line 121 can pass, and a hollow (not shown) of the second rotation coupling portion 212b is formed in the first portion. It may be located on the same straight line as the hollow (not shown) of the rotation coupling portion (212a).

In this case, the second rotation coupling portion 212b may be provided in the form of a rotary joint, and guide the rotation of the optical signal line 121 when the catheter 110 rotates.

In addition, the connection portion 212c couples the first rotation coupling portion 212a and the second rotation coupling portion 212b, and a hollow (not shown) through which the optical signal line 121 can pass is formed at the center thereof. The rotation of the optical signal line 121 may be guided.

At this time, the hollow (not shown) of the first rotary coupling portion 212a, the second rotary coupling portion 212b, and the connecting portion 212c is located on the same straight line, and this arrangement structure is the first motor 211. Due to the operation of the catheter 100, the rotation of the optical signal line 121 may be maintained while maintaining the parallel to guide the rotation.

In addition, damage to the transmitted optical signal due to the bending of the optical signal line 121 can be prevented.

In this case, the rotation driving module 210 may include a structure for seating and fixing the first motor 211 and the rotating unit 212.

In addition, the linear driving module 220 includes a second motor 221 and the movement induction part 222.

In this case, the second motor 221 may be provided for linear driving and may move the rotation driving module 210 in the longitudinal direction of the tube 120.

In addition, the movement induction part 222 may be connected to the lower end of the rotation driving module 210 to guide the movement of the rotation driving module 210 in the longitudinal direction of the tube 120 according to the operation of the second motor 221. .

In this case, the linear driving module 220 may include a structure in which the second motor 221 and the movement induction part 222 may be seated and fixed.

The control module 230 may control the rotation driving module 210 and the linear driving module 220. For example, the rotation speed of the rotation driving module 210 and the movement speed control of the linear driving module 230 may be controlled. It may be possible.

The first signal transmission device 300 includes a first light source 310, a coupler unit 320, a reference mirror 330, and a first light detector 340.

Here, the first light source 310 provides light for acquiring an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image, and may be provided as a wavelength conversion laser.

In this case, the first light source 310 may have a wavelength of 1310 nm, but is not limited to this, it is preferable to select a wavelength having a deep penetration depth into the blood vessel tissue.

The coupler 320 divides the first light source 310 and may be connected to the optical signal line 121.

In this case, the coupler 320 may be provided as an optical fiber coupler.

The coupler 320 may be connected to the reference mirror 330 and the first light detector 340 described below.

In this case, the coupler 320 may divide the first light source 310 into two lights and transmit the split light to the optical signal line 121 and the reference mirror 330.

The reference mirror 330 may receive the first light source 310 from the coupler 320 to generate first reflected light.

At this time, before the first light source 310 reaches the reference mirror 330, the parallel light converting unit converting the light transmitted from the coupler 320 to the reference mirror 330 into parallel light ( Not shown) may be further included.

Here, the first reflected light reflected by the reference mirror 330 may be provided to the first light detector 340 to be described later through the coupler 320.

In the first light detector 340, the first light source 310 transmitted to the phototransmitter 111 through the first reflected light and the optical signal line 121 is irradiated to the intravascular region, and the first light source 310 is a blood vessel. The second reflected light reflected from the inner region and received by the light transmitting unit 111 may be provided through the optical signal line 121 to detect the second reflected light.

In this case, the first reflected light and the second reflected light detected by the first light detector 340 may be provided to the image processing apparatus 600 to be described later.

The second signal transmission device 400 may include a second light source 410, a splitter 420, and a second light detector 430.

Here, the second light source 410 provides light for acquiring an optoacoustic (PA) image, and may be provided as a variable wavelength pulse laser.

In this case, the second light source 410 may be provided as a variable wavelength pulse laser having a central wavelength of 1710 nm, but is not limited thereto and should be selected in consideration of the light absorption of the blood vessel tissue.

In this case, the above-described center wavelength may be selected because the light absorption of the atherosclerotic plaque tissue is high at the above-described wavelength.

In addition, the dividing unit 420 may divide the second light source 410 into a 2-1 light source and a 2-2 light source.

Here, the dividing unit 420 may transmit the 2-1 light source to the optical signal line 121.

In this case, the division unit 420 further includes a lens portion (not shown) in the process of transmitting the 2-1 light source to the optical signal line 121, so that the 2-1 light source passes through the lens portion (not shown). May be passed to 121.

In addition, the divider 420 may provide the second light source to the second photodetector 430.

The second light detector 430 may detect the second-2 light source and convert the second-2 light source into an electrical signal.

In this case, the second light source 2-2 converted into an electrical signal by the second light detector 430 may be provided to the image processing apparatus 600 to be described later as a reference signal.

In addition, the reference signal, that is, the 2-2 light source may be used as a trigger signal for compensating for time delay in the image processing apparatus 600 which will be described later.

The third signal transmission device 500 may include a sound wave transceiver 510.

In this case, the sound wave transceiver 510 may be provided as a pulser / receiver.

The sound wave transceiver 510 provides an electric signal for generating sound waves to the sound wave transmitter 112 through the electric signal line 122, or converts the first sound wave signal received from the sound wave transmitter 112 into an electric signal. Can be provided.

In this case, the third signal transmission device 500 may be connected to the connection terminal S of the pullback device 200 to transmit a signal with the sound wave transmission unit 112 through the electric signal line 122.

In addition, the sound wave transceiver 510 is a second absorbing light source transmitted from the second signal transmission device 400 to the optical signal line in the blood vessel is irradiated in the blood vessel through the phototransmitter 111 is absorbed in the blood vessel 2-1 A second sound wave signal generated by the light source may be received.

In this case, the second sound wave signal refers to an optical sound PA.

In addition, the sound wave transceiver 510 provides the first sound wave signal and the second sound wave signal received to the image processing apparatus 600, and at this time, a delay for compensating for a time delay that may occur in the case of a pulse wave. Compensation unit (not shown) may be further included.

In this case, the above-described reference signal, that is, the secondary second light source may be used as a trigger signal to compensate for the time delay of the second sound wave signal.

The image processing apparatus 600 may generate an image of a region of interest in the blood vessel by receiving the optical and electrical signals provided from the catheter 100.

In this case, the image processing apparatus 600 may generate different images according to a device that provides light and sound wave signals transmitted from the catheter 100 to blood vessels.

In addition, the image processing apparatus 600 may include a storage unit (not shown) that stores the generated image.

The output apparatus 700 may output the processed image from the image processing apparatus 600.

In this case, the output device 700 is preferably provided with a device including a display module capable of outputting an image.

The control device 800 includes a pullback device 200, a first signal transmission device 300, a second signal transmission device 400, a third signal transmission device 500, an image processing device 600, and an output device ( 700 can be controlled.

In this case, when the second reflected light is detected by the first photodetector 340, the control device 800 generates an image processing apparatus 600 to generate a first image by analyzing interference information between the first reflected light and the second reflected light. Can be controlled.

When the second sound wave signal is received by the sound wave transceiver 510, the controller 800 receives a reference signal from the second light detector and analyzes the second sound wave signal with the reference signal to analyze the second image. The image processing apparatus 600 may be controlled to generate the.

In addition, when the sound wave transceiver 510 receives the first sound wave signal, the controller 800 may control the image processing apparatus 600 to generate a third image by analyzing the first sound wave signal. .

In this case, the first image, the second image, and the third image may be optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, photoacoustic (PA) images, and ultrasound (US) images, respectively.

On the other hand, the fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of obtaining optical interference tomography (OCT), photoacoustic (PA), ultrasound (US) image.

At this time, the catheter 100 is inserted into the blood vessel by the body insertion means, and the rotation and movement of the catheter 100 may be guided by the pullback device 200 to obtain the above-described image.

For example, the pullback device 200 moves at a speed of 0.5 mm / s to 2.0 mm / s in the longitudinal direction of the tube 120 and at the same time rotates at a speed of 1800 rpm in the circumferential direction of the tube 120. It can guide the rotation and movement of the catheter 100 in the blood vessel.

In addition, since the catheter 100 is rotated and the movement of the vessel in the longitudinal direction is guided, not only the 2D image but also the 3D image can be obtained.

In this case, the catheter 100 may include a light transmitting unit 111 and a sound wave transmitting unit 112 to enable the input and output of light and ultrasonic signals in the blood vessel, the light transmitting unit 111 and the sound wave transmitting unit 112. The head 110 may be fixedly mounted inside.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the light transmitting unit 111, the lens 111a is positioned at one end of the optical signal line 121, and the prism 111b is irradiated toward one surface of the catheter 100 at the front end of the lens 111a. ) May be located.

The sound wave transmitting unit 112 may have an ultrasonic transducer (not shown) at one end of the electric signal line 122 and may be disposed to face one surface of the catheter 100.

At this time, one side of the catheter 100 may be open, the cover portion surrounding the head 110 on the outside of the catheter 100 to protect the light transmitting unit 111 and the sound wave transmitting unit 112 (not shown) ) May be further included.

In the above-described acquisition of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) image through the catheter 100, an image may be obtained by analyzing an interference phenomenon generated by the path difference of the first light source 310, that is, the wavelength conversion laser.

Here, the first light source 310 may be capable of mutual communication with the light transmitting unit 111 located in the head 110 through the central portion 121a of the optical signal line 121.

At this time, the first light source 310 irradiated in the blood vessel through the light transmitting unit 111 is reflected by the tissue in the blood vessel and is input to the light transmitting unit 111 again, which is the second reflected light of the optical signal line 121. It may be provided to the first photodetector 340 through the central portion 121a.

In this case, the first reflected light generated by the first light source 310 reflected by the reference mirror 330 may be detected by the first light detector 340.

Here, the first light detector 340 may provide this to the image processing apparatus 600.

In addition, the image processing apparatus 600 receives the received signal and performs signal processing.

In this case, the image processing apparatus 600 may analyze the interference signal generated by the path difference between the first reflected light and the second reflected light.

Here, the analysis process for image processing in the image processing apparatus 600 may include a conversion process for Fourier transform the interference signal, the frequency of the interference signal is different depending on the depth, it is possible to obtain information in the depth direction through the conversion process Can be.

In this way, the image processing apparatus 600 may generate a first image.

Acquisition of the photoacoustic (PA) image through the catheter 100 is the second light source 410, that is, the second light source 410 irradiated from the variable wavelength pulsed laser is irradiated intravascularly, at this time, the irradiated second The light source 410 may acquire an image by analyzing the photoacoustic signal generated when the light source 410 is absorbed by the blood vessel tissue and converted into thermal energy.

Here, the second light source 410 may be capable of mutual communication with the light transmitting unit 111 located in the head 1110 through the outer portion 121b of the optical signal line 121.

At this time, the second light source 410 irradiated into the blood vessel through the light transmitting unit 111 is absorbed by the tissue in the blood vessel, and the tissue absorbing it converts it into thermal energy.

At this time, due to thermal expansion that occurs, the tissue in the blood vessel transmits the photoacoustic signal, which may be input to the sound wave transmission unit 112 of the head (110).

In this case, the sound wave transmitting unit 112 may convert the received photoacoustic signal into an electrical signal and transmit it to the sound wave transmitting and receiving unit 510.

The photoacoustic signal received by the sound wave transceiver 510 may be provided to the image processing apparatus 600.

In this case, the image processing apparatus 600 may receive the reference signal detected by the second photodetector 430 to image histological characteristics of blood vessel tissue such as lipids by analyzing the photoacoustic signal and the reference signal. .

In this way, the image processing apparatus 600 may generate a second image.

Acquisition of the ultrasound (US) image through the catheter 100 generates an electrical signal for the ultrasonic signal from the sound wave transceiver 510, that is, the pulser / receiver, and transmits the sound wave through the electrical signal line 122. 112, the ultrasound signal in the blood vessel, that is, the first sound wave signal may be irradiated, and an image may be obtained by analyzing a signal reflected from the blood vessel by a difference in acoustic impedance.

Here, the ultrasonic signal reflected from the inner wall of the blood vessel is input to the sound wave transmitting unit 112 again, and converts the ultrasonic signal reflected from the sound wave transmitting unit 112 into an electrical signal, and the sound wave transmitting and receiving unit 510 through the electrical signal line 122 Can be delivered.

At this time, one end of the sound wave transmitting unit 112, that is, the ultrasonic transducer may have a diameter within 1 mm to facilitate insertion into the blood vessel, and may be driven in a high frequency band of 20 MHz to 100 MHz band to obtain a high resolution image. Can be.

In addition, the sound wave transceiver 510 may provide the reflected ultrasonic signal to the image processing apparatus 600, and the image processing apparatus 600 performs signal processing such as a Fourier transform to perform an image including a structural form in a blood vessel. Can be generated.

In this way, the image processing apparatus 600 may generate a third image.

Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 600 may store the generated first image, the second image, and the third image in a storage unit (not shown).

The output device 700 may output the first image, the second image, and the third image, respectively, or may synthesize the first image, the second image, and the third image to output a single image.

For example, a third image corresponding to an ultrasound (US) image and a second image corresponding to a photoacoustic (PA) image are synthesized and output in a form in which the histological characteristic information such as lipid is included in the vascular structure image. Can be.

This may be selectively switched by a user's judgment, such as a doctor reading an image, using a fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After all, the present invention, by providing a light transmitting unit and a sound wave transmitting unit in the catheter, it is possible to output or receive the ultrasound and light signals in the blood vessel, in which case, the light transmitting unit is a special optical fiber, such as a dual clad fiber (Dual Clad Fiber) It is possible to receive two light with different refractive indices from the optical interference tomography (OCT), optoacoustic (PA), ultrasonic (US) images, and to obtain a fusion image through the ultrasonic and optical signals, It has the advantages of the intravascular image acquisition system, and it is possible to acquire the histologic characteristic information of the lesion and the image with excellent resolution, which can improve the accuracy of intravascular lesion diagnosis, and rotates about 360 degrees in the vessel At the same time, it is possible to move in the longitudinal direction of the tube to obtain a three-dimensional image of the inner wall of the vessel, and is not constant due to contraction in the vessel Since the movement moves inside the blood vessel at the same time as the rotation, when the catheter contacts the inner wall of the blood vessel, the friction is reduced through the rotation to minimize the damage of the inner wall of the blood vessel and provide a fusion image acquisition system for diagnosing cardiovascular disease that can be obtained. .

As described above, the detailed description of the present invention has been made by the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since the above-described embodiments have only been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is limited to the above embodiments. It should not be understood that the scope of the present invention is to be understood by the claims and equivalent concepts described below.

<Description of the code>

100: catheter

110: head

111: light transmission unit

111a: Lens

111b: Prism

111c: spacer

112: sound wave transmission unit

120: tube

121: optical signal line

121a: Central portion

121b: outer shell

122: electric signal line

123: torque coil

200: pull back device

210: rotary drive module

211: first motor

211a: first rotating part

212: rotating part

212a: first rotational coupling portion

212a-1: second rotating part

212a-2: Conductor

212b: second rotational coupling portion

212c: connection part

220: linear drive module

221: second motor

222: moving induction

230: control module

B: Belt

S: Connection terminal

300: first signal transmission device

310: first light source

320: coupler

330: reference mirror

340: first light detector

400: second signal transmission device

410: second light source

420: divider

430: second light detector

500: third signal transmission device

510: sound wave receiver

600: image processing device

700: output device

800: controller

I: blood vessel

Claims (12)

A catheter including a tube positioned at one end and a tube extending from the head to the other end and having a light signal line and an electric signal line, and outputting or receiving light and sound signals in blood vessels through the head; A pull-back device through which the tube is coupled and guides the rotation and movement of the catheter and provides a connection terminal connected to the electric signal line; A first signal transmission device connected to the optical signal line to provide a first light source to the catheter, wherein the catheter receives an optical signal received from an intravascular region; A second signal transmission device connected to the optical signal line and providing a second light source to the catheter; A third signal transmission device connected to a connection terminal of the pullback device to provide an electric signal for generating sound waves to the catheter through the electric signal line, and to receive an electric signal for the sound wave signal received from the intravascular region by the catheter; ; An image processing apparatus for generating an image by receiving the optical and electrical signals provided from the catheter; An output device for outputting the processed image from the image processing device; And And a control device for controlling the pullback device, the first signal transmission device, the second signal transmission device, the third signal transmission device, the image processing device, and the output device. The image processing apparatus generates different images according to a device for providing light or sound waves transmitted from the catheter to blood vessels. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 1, The catheter may include a light transmitting unit coupled to an optical member at one end of the optical signal line located at the head, and a sound wave transmitting unit connected to one end of the electric signal line to perform mutual conversion of electric signals and sound wave signals and to transmit and receive sound wave signals. Characterized in that it comprises Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 2, The optical signal line is disposed on the central axis of the tube, and has two independent optical signal transmission portions divided into a central portion and an outer portion. The central portion and the outer portion of the optical signal transmission portion is a transmission of the optical signal having a different refractive index, A first light source and a second light source are transmitted to the central portion and the outer portion of the optical signal transmission portion, respectively. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 3, The pullback device, A rotation driving module having a first motor and the tube penetrated therein and including a rotating unit rotating in the circumferential direction of the tube by the operation of the first motor; A linear driving module coupled to one side of a second motor and the rotary driving module, the linear driving module including a movement inducing unit guiding the movement of the rotary driving module in the longitudinal direction of the tube according to the operation of the second motor; And And a control module for controlling the rotary drive module and the linear drive module. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 4, wherein The rotating unit includes a connection terminal connected to the electrical signal line, and passes through the optical signal line, and maintains parallel to the optical signal line during rotation by the operation of the first motor to guide the rotation Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 3, The first signal transmission device, A coupler unit that divides the first light source and is connected to the optical signal line; A reference mirror configured to receive a first light source from the coupler to generate first reflected light; And The first reflected light and the first light source transmitted to the light transmission unit through the optical signal line is irradiated to the region within the blood vessel, the first light source is reflected in the region of the blood vessel second reflected light received by the light transmission unit And a first photodetector provided through an optical signal line to detect the second reflected light. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 5, The second signal transmission device, A dividing unit dividing a second light source into a 2-1 light source and a 2-2 light source and transmitting the 2-1 light source to the optical signal line; And And a second light detector configured to detect the second light source and convert the second light source into an electrical signal. The second light source 2-2 converted into an electrical signal by the second photodetector is a reference signal. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 7, wherein The third signal transmission device may include a sound wave transceiver configured to provide an electrical signal for generating sound waves to the sound wave transmission unit through the electrical signal line or receive a first sound wave signal received from the sound wave transmission unit as an electrical signal. and, The sound wave transmitting and receiving unit is characterized in that it is electrically connected to the rotating unit Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 8, The sound wave transceiver is a second light source transmitted from the second signal transmission device to the optical signal line is generated by the 2-1 light source absorbed in the blood vessel on the irradiated area through the blood vessel through the light transmission unit Receiving a sound wave signal Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 6, The controller may control the image processing apparatus to generate a first image by analyzing interference information between the first reflected light and the second reflected light when the second reflected light is detected by the first light detector. doing Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 9, The controller may control the image processing apparatus to generate a second image by analyzing a second sound wave signal and the reference signal when the sound wave transceiver receives the second sound wave signal. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease. The method of claim 8, The control device may control the image processing device to generate a third image by analyzing the first sound wave signal when the first sound wave signal is received in the third signal transceiver. Fusion Image Acquisition System for Diagnosing Cardiovascular Disease.

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