What Is IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound)?

IVUS stands for Intravascular Ultrasound—it’s a catheter-based imaging technique that lets you see inside blood vessels using ultrasound. In Japanese, it’s called “血管内超音波,” which literally means “ultrasound inside the blood vessel.”

The images you get from IVUS look like cross-sections of the vessel, almost like slicing through it and seeing it from the inside. It’s commonly used to assess things like vessel diameter, plaque buildup, and overall lesion characteristics—perfect for guiding treatment.

To use IVUS, you need a dedicated console and a compatible catheter. Several companies offer systems, and each catheter has its own specs depending on the use case.

In this article, we’re focusing on peripheral IVUS catheters, especially ones that are often used in EVT (endovascular therapy) and stent graft procedures. We’ve listed key specs for each available product in Japan—hopefully it helps you find what you need quickly!

What is a Guiding Sheath?

A guiding sheath is a dedicated vascular access device employed in Endovascular Therapy (EVT) for peripheral arterial interventions. In contrast to conventional introducer sheaths, guiding sheaths are constructed with an embedded metallic braid within the shaft, significantly enhancing kink resistance and torque control. They are manufactured in a variety of tip configurations, lengths, and inner diameters, enabling tailored selection based on anatomical considerations and procedural demands.

The guiding sheath is typically advanced to a position as close as safely possible to the target lesion, serving as a stable conduit that facilitates the delivery and exchange of endovascular devices. By reducing the distance from the vascular access point to the treatment site, the sheath improves device trackability, procedural efficiency, and overall operator control.