Testing performance of 64 crystal array intracardiac echocardiography imaging transducer

Objective: To test the performance of a self-designed 64 crystal array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging transducer in vivo. Methods: The catheterized ICE imaging transducer was delivered into left ventricle of canine. ICE image was obtained, and the thickness of ventricular wall, ventricular septum and papillary muscles were measured and compared with the actual values. Then tacute myocardial infarction models were established, and the ventricular wall motion was assessed by ICE. Results: The diameter of ICE imaging transducer was 8F after catheterization. The fine structures of canine's heart were displayed clearly, and the thicknesses of left ventricular wall, ventricular septum and papillary muscles were measured accurately by ICE, which were not statistically different with the actual values (all P>0.05). End-systolic anterior wall thickness, thickening fraction and max motion amplitude of left ventricle measured by ICE decreased significantly (all P<0.05) after myocardial infarction. Conclusion: The size and image quality of this 64 crystal array ICE transducer can meet the requirements of cardio-vascular intervention. Copyright©2013 by the Press of Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology.