A Novel Single-Phase Piezoelectric-Driven Miniature Optical Slip Ring for Intravascular Imaging

Conventional intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) systems utilize external slip ring-driven catheters or internal micromotor-driven reflectors for vascular imaging. However, external actuation may produce non-uniform artifacts, while solid miniature electromagnetic motors hinder 360° imaging due to wiring. To overcome these limitations, we devised a single-phase piezoelectric-driven miniature optical slip ring for intravascular imaging applications. This innovative slip ring features a streamlined design, single-phase piezoelectric actuation, and electromagnetic interference immunity, effectively eliminating imaging artifacts and facilitating comprehensive 360° optical scanning. Preliminary results indicate the slip ring's promising potential for generating high-quality IV-OCT images.