IVUS Catheter

Piezoelectric effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. When the electrical current is applied to the crystal, it makes a vibration of crystal and changed into an electrical charge. Two types of IVUS system are available; mechanical (rotating transducer) and electronic array. Electronic array system is a low resolution IVUS system (20 MHz), but it’s not need to push the saline to remove the air inside the catheter system. High-resolution system (40-60 MHz) is work with rotating transducer, but it need a saline flush to remove the air inside the system. Currently, both of IVUS types are compatible with 5 Fr guiding catheter except NIRS IVUS(6 Fr).