System for real-time forward-viewing intravascular imaging of 3D velocity fields

Direct estimation of 3D blood flow velocity components in vivo could provide important diagnostic information, as demonstrated by computational fluid dynamics. Several approaches have been proposed, however, direct intravascular estimation has not been demonstrated despite the value of fluid dynamics for predicting major adverse cardiac events in stable coronary artery disease. Given that minimally-invasive diagnostic procedures are routinely performed in these patients (e.g. side-viewing IVUS, FFR), a forward-viewing intravascular system could allow direct estimation of velocity components in 3D, with reduced effects of tissue motion and increased resolution relative to non-invasive approaches. Initial data acquisitions using a forward-viewing 4 mm, 118-element ring array transducer in a tissue-mimicking flow phantom and in a pig are described.