INTEGRATED STEERABLE SHEATH ULTRASONIC IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

An ultrasonic imaging system is disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging system comprises an Intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) catheter and a transducer ring. A steerable sheath integrated with a built-in forward looking transducer and the transducer ring positioned at a distal end of the steerable sheath. The transducer ring comprises a MEMS based pMUT array arranged over a substrate. A catheter shaft houses a lumen to allow a passage of a puncture needle and an electronic flex cable in communication with at least one signal trace, configured to: direct the MEMS based pMUT array, via the at least one signal trace, to transmit and receive, ultrasound beams; receive at least one signal from the MEMS based pMUT array based on transmitting and receiving at least one ultrasound beam; and construct at least one image of at least a portion of the heart based on the at least one signal.