Cmut-on-cmos Based Guidewire Intravascular Imaging

Abstract

An intravascular guidewire with integrated imaging and pressure measurement capabilities is disclosed. The guidewire can comprise an integrated CMUT-on-CMOS ultrasound transducer array to provide 3D imaging of vasculature and other tissue. The guidewire can also comprise a conventional FFR pressure sensor or Doppler flow sensor. Due to the low power consumption of the chip, power can be provided via a single pair of wire pair proximate the core wire of the guidewire to provide power and ground to the chip. The system can also include a power wire, a ground wire, and a data wire, the data wire using similar data transmission techniques. Data from the sensor array can be transmitted over the power wire using, for example, RF or impedance modulation. Data can also be transmitted through the body using an ultra wideband wireless transmitter and flexible patch antenna on the skin.