Existing three-dimensional (3D) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) systems that combine two electromagnetic (EM) motors to drive catheters are bulky and require considerable efforts to eliminate EM interference (EMI). Herein, we propose a new scanning method to realize 3D IVUS imaging using a helical ultrasonic motor to overcome the aforementioned issues. The ultrasonic motor with compact dimensions (7-mm outer diameter and 30-mm longitudinal length), lightweight (20.5 g), and free of EMI exhibits great application potential in mobile imaging devices. In particular, it can simultaneously perform rotary and linear motions, facilitating precise 3D scanning of an imaging catheter. Experimental results show that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of raw images obtained using the ultrasonic motor is 5.3 dB better than that of an EM motor. Moreover, the proposed imaging device exhibits the maximum rotary speed of 12.3 revolutions per second and the positioning accuracy of 2.6 µm at a driving voltage of 240 Vp-p. 3D wire phantom imaging and 3D tube phantom imaging are performed to evaluate the performance of the imaging device. Finally, the in vitro imaging of a porcine coronary artery demonstrates that the layered architecture of the vessel can be precisely identified while significantly increasing the SNR of the raw images.

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