Real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is established as an essential diagnostic tool for patients that are obese or that exhibit signs of pulmonary disease. A real-time 3D TEE probe has been fabricated in our laboratory in order to improve on the shortcomings of current TEE devices and increase the amount of information available during a transesophageal procedure. The 8 mm diameter endoscope probe utilizes a 2D, 5 MHz array at its tip with a 6.3 mm diameter aperture, including 504 active channels. The array has a periodic vernier geometry with an element pitch of 0.18 mm, and it was built on a multilayer flexible interconnect circuit (MLF). In order to accommodate 504 channels within the endoscope, 1 m long Gore MicroFlat™ cable was utilized for wiring the MLF to the corresponding system connectors. Using the completed 3D TEE probe with a volumetrics medical imaging 3D scanner, real-time volumetric images of in vivo canine cardiac anatomy have been acquired, displaying atrial views, mitral valve function, and catheter guidance.