Abstract: A cryoablation method, system, and device that allows for real-time and accurate assessment and monitoring of PV occlusion and lesion formation without the need for expensive imaging systems and without patient exposure to radiation. The system includes a cryoballoon catheter with a cryoballoon, a distal electrode, a proximal electrode, and a temperature sensor. Impedance measurements recorded by the electrodes may be used to predict ice formation, quality of pulmonary vein occlusion, and lesion formation.

Abstract: There is provided an implantable pressure monitor having a fluid sack in contact with a body part of a patient where the fluid sack is retained to the body part by a pressure monitor housing that may have various attachment means. The fluid sack is filled with a liquid such as silicone oil. The pressure monitor housing has an opening that provides access to a fistula with a fluid valve that terminates through the fluid sack. A fiber optic pressure sensor is in contact with the liquid in the fluid sack by way of the fistula and fluid valve. In some embodiments of the present invention, an electronics module is incorporated with the implantable pressure monitor to provide telemetry, power, and the like.

Abstract: A force transmitting assembly of an adapter assembly includes a rotatable drive shaft, a strain sensor, and a drive member. The drive shaft includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a flange. The distal portion includes a threaded portion. The strain sensor is coupled to the drive shaft and disposed adjacent the flange such that longitudinal movement of the drive shaft imparts a force on the strain sensor via the flange. The distal drive member has a proximal end rotatably coupled to the threaded portion of the drive shaft and a distal end configured to be operatively coupled to a driven member of a surgical loading unit. Rotation of the drive shaft longitudinally moves the drive member relative to the drive shaft to actuate the surgical loading unit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visually depicting a vessel and evaluating treatment options are disclosed. The methods can include obtaining pressure measurements from first and second instruments positioned within a vessel of a patient while the second instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel from a first position to a second position and the first instrument remains stationary within the vessel; and outputting a visual representation of the pressure measurements obtained by the first and second instruments on a display, the output visual representation including a graphical display of a pressure ratio of the obtained pressure measurements and at least a portion of a pressure waveform of the obtained pressure measurements identifying a diagnostic period utilized in calculating the pressure ratio.

Abstract: Non-invasive systems and methods for determining fractional flow reserve. At least one method of determining fractional flow reserve within a luminal organ of the present disclosure comprising the steps of positioning a monitoring device external to a luminal organ and near a stenosis, the monitoring device capable of determining at least one characteristic of the stenosis, operating the monitoring device to determine the at least one characteristic of the stenosis, and determining fractional flow reserve at or near the stenosis based upon the at least one characteristic determined by the monitoring device.

Abstract: Cochlear implant headpieces with improved moisture resistance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring pressure in a patient are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a pressure measurement system comprising a pressure source, a compliant bladder, a catheter in communication with the pressure source, pressure sensors, and a controller configured to determine a pressure within the compliant bladder. The pressure measurement system can inflate the compliant bladder with gas or air to determine a pressure within a patient. In one embodiment, the pressure measurement system measures pressure within a peritoneal cavity.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) chip for measuring a pressure in a pressure space includes a MEMS substrate having a measuring region, a contact-making region connected to the measuring region via lines and having contacts, and a bushing region disposed between the measuring region and the contact-making region. The MEMS substrate defines a cavity formed as a blind hole that defines an opening through one side of the MEMS substrate, the bottom of the blind hole forming a membrane. A measuring bridge includes piezoresistive elements disposed on that side of the membrane which faces away from the cavity's opening. A carrier substrate is disposed over the cavity's opening and bonded to the MEMS substrate in a two-dimensional manner to form a rod, with the result that the carrier substrate forms a bottom wall of the cavity spaced apart from the membrane.

Abstract: A transducer holder assembly for attachment to a patient includes a support member with a contact surface and an oppositely disposed connection surface. The support member includes at least one electrode disposed on the contact surface. A first mating member is coupled to the connection surface. A housing is configured to receive and hold at least a portion of a transducer. The housing includes a second mating member configured to releasably mate with the first mating member via a snap-fit mechanism.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a guidewire system for treating a patient includes an internal sensor mount having a body and a first cutout extending through a wall of the body; a core wire secured to the internal sensor mount; a sensor assembly for detecting a physiological characteristic of a patient secured to the internal sensor mount; an external housing disposed about the internal sensor mount and including an opening in communication with the cutout of the internal sensor mount; a proximal flexible member secured to at least one of the internal sensor mount and the external housing; a first distal flexible member secured to at least one of the internal sensor mount and the external housing; and at least one conductor electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and extending proximally beyond the internal sensor mount through the proximal flexible member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a blockage in a vessel and, in particular, a stenosis in a blood vessel. In some particular embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a stenosis in the coronary arteries without the administration of a hyperemic agent. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to optimize proximal and distal pressure measurements utilized to assess the vessel.

Abstract: An optical force sensing element for microsurgical instruments and methods measures force F in three orthogonal directions and includes a monolithic cylinder structure, a cylindrical surface and a top surface that absorbs and transmits the force F. Three punch-like notches, all being parallel to the y-direction, are spaced apart along the z-axis and form two blades between the first and second notch and between the second and the third notch. Three channels parallel to the z-axis extend from the bottom surface to the top surface and cross the first notch while bypassing the other two notches. Three optical fibers, each fixed in one of the three channels, all entering the structure from the bottom surface, cross the first notch and end at or near the top surface while being interrupted in the first notch and forming two surfaces of each fiber that define a Fabry-Perot interferometric cavity.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfusion cannula for placement of an access, having a cannula wall and a perfusion lumen which is surrounded by the cannula wall and in which a fluid flow can flow through the perfusion cannula, wherein the perfusion cannula furthermore comprises at least one sensor lumen and at least one sensor device, in particular an ECG sensor, which is arranged at least partially in the sensor lumen. As a result, it is possible to provide a particularly reliable perfusion cannula with improved functionality and for reliable handling, in particular in conjunction with an extracorporeal lung support system.

Abstract: A method of making a stimulation lead is provided. The method of making a multi-contact stimulation lead comprises placing monofilament placed in the void spaces not occupied by the plurality of conductor wires and, in one embodiment, thermally fusing the monofilament to the like material spacer by applying heat just below the melting temperature of the monofilament and spacer material. Alternatively, the monofilament and spacer may be of different materials and heat is applied to cause at least one material to thermally reflow or melt. The conductive contacts may be located at either the distal end and/or proximal end of the lead. Oversized spacers may be used in order to provide extra material to fill voids during the thermal fusion/reflow process.

Abstract: A system for contactless transmission of energy and control signals between a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device has a primary set with at least one primary coil and an electronic supply driver for supplying primary signals to the primary set of primary coils. A secondary device has a secondary set with at least one secondary coil, at least one piezoelectric actuator, and electronic components including a resonant circuit powered by the secondary set. The piezoelectric actuator is powered and controlled through the secondary set of secondary coils and the electronic components.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated and axially rigid catheter body which has a distal end and a proximal end in respect of an operating position, wherein a movable and/or deformable protection element or a corresponding protection section of the catheter body, which is provided with predetermined motion or deformation resistance, is disposed on the distal end, and transducer elements of a converter device for converting displacement into a non-mechanical quantity are provided in a stationary manner on the protection element or protection section, and corresponding pick-up elements of the converter device are provided on the catheter body, or vice versa, and wherein the catheter body comprises a lead for transmitting a measurement signal generated by the converter device to the proximal end, and a measuring connector on the proximal end.

Abstract: The puncture control system includes a trajectory error compensation filter for outputting a control signal for compensating for the error of a puncture needle from a target trajectory based on information on the position of the puncture needle obtained by a detector, a displacement compensation filter for which initial control parameters are determined based on a model representing characteristics of an organ, and an adder for outputting an added signal obtained by adding outputs of the trajectory error compensation filter and the displacement compensation filter. The organ model is used to predict a displacement of a puncture target position and sequentially determine a course of the puncture needle.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physical parameter of a subject is provided. The system may include a casing with a sensor coupled to the casing. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical parameter of the subject. The physical parameter may include a chemical parameter of the subject. The system includes an endoscopic clip coupled to the casing and may include a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal via a wireless medium. The signal encodes the physical parameter of the subject detected by the sensor and the wireless transmitter is electronically connected to the endoscopic clip. The system may further include a monitor configured to communicate with the wireless transmitter for receiving the signal encoding the physical parameter of the subject.

Abstract: The patient identification system of the preferred embodiments includes a transponder that is affixed to a patient and functions to communicate information that identifies the patient to a device or series of devices. The series of devices includes at least a first device that collects data from the patient and communicates with the transponder. The patient identification system is preferably designed to identify a patient, and more specifically to identify a patient to be associated with the data collected by the device. The patient identification system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: A method and system for non-invasive hemodynamic assessment of coronary artery stenosis based on medical image data is disclosed. Patient-specific anatomical measurements of the coronary arteries are extracted from medical image data of a patient. Patient-specific boundary conditions of a computational model of coronary circulation representing the coronary arteries are calculated based on the patient-specific anatomical measurements of the coronary arteries. Blood flow and pressure in the coronary arteries are simulated using the computational model of coronary circulation and the patient-specific boundary conditions and coronary autoregulation is modeled during the simulation of blood flow and pressure in the coronary arteries. A wave-free period is identified in a simulated cardiac cycle, and an instantaneous wave-Free Ratio (iFR) value is calculated for a stenosis region based on simulated pressure values in the wave-free period.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: An interface to connect sensor equipment and a physiological monitor includes a first connector to receive power from a first channel of the monitor and a second connector to receive power from a second channel of the monitor. The power from each of the first and second channels of the monitor is combined within the interface. The interface further includes a third connector to provide the combined power to the sensor equipment; a voltage converter to rescale the voltage of the combined power that is provided to the sensor equipment; and a scaling circuit to reduce the voltage of a signal representing a measured physiological parameter. The signal representing the measured physiological parameter is sent from the sensor equipment to the monitor. The interface is advantageous to allow sensor equipment to be sufficiently powered by a monitor that would not typically provide enough power.

Abstract: A method and system for determining fractional flow reserve (FFR) for a coronary artery stenosis of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, medical image data of the patient including the stenosis is received, a set of features for the stenosis is extracted from the medical image data of the patient, and an FFR value for the stenosis is determined based on the extracted set of features using a trained machine-learning based mapping. In another embodiment, a medical image of the patient including the stenosis of interest is received, image patches corresponding to the stenosis of interest and a coronary tree of the patient are detected, an FFR value for the stenosis of interest is determined using a trained deep neural network regressor applied directly to the detected image patches.

Abstract: A system for monitoring blood pressure and other physiologic parameters is provided. The system is designed such that it can be delivered to the patient with ease and minimal invasion. The system contains at least one self contained implantable sensing device consisting of a sensor, an electrical circuit for signal conditioning and magnetic telemetry, a biocompatible outer surface and seal, an anchoring method, and an external readout device. The implant is small in size so that it may be delivered to the desired location and implanted using a catheter, although direct surgical implantation is also possible. The circuit, sensor, and antenna for telemetry are packaged together and sealed hermetically to the biologic environment. The larger readout unit remains outside the body but proximal to the implant for minimizing communication distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for epicardial electrophysiology and other procedures are provided in which the location of an access needle may be inferred according to the detection of different pressure frequencies in separate organs, or different locations, in the body of a subject. Methods may include inserting a needle including a first sensor into a body of a subject, and receiving pressure frequency information from the first sensor. A second sensor may be used to provide cardiac waveform information of the subject. A current location of the needle may be distinguished from another location based on an algorithm including the pressure frequency information and the cardiac waveform information.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a method to monitor left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of a patient, comprises (a) monitoring posture of the patient using a posture sensor implanted within the patient, and (b) using portions of an impedance signal, obtained using implanted electrodes, to monitor the left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of the patient. Each portion of the impedance signal used to monitor the left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of the patient corresponds to a period after which the patient has maintained a predetermined posture for at least a predetermined period of time, and during which the patient has remained in the predetermined posture.

Abstract: A method of detecting and treating a microvascular obstruction is provided. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided for both detecting the microvascular obstruction and treating or removing the obstruction.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for exploiting left atrial pressure (LAP) measurements to determine various ventricular mechanical and electromechanical contraction intervals and for evaluating ventricular dyssynchrony based on those intervals. In one example, LAP measurements are combined with right ventricular pressure (RVP) measurements to determine the interventricular mechanical delay, which is the primary parameter representative of ventricular dyssynchrony. Other intervals determined based, in part, on LAP measurements include the electromechanical delay for the left ventricle (LV), as well as the LV systolic and diastolic intervals. Techniques are also described herein for detecting various RV intervals including the electromechanical delay for the RV, as well as the RV systolic and diastolic intervals.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed that has a body with an inlet, an outlet, and a needleless access port coupled to the body. The access port has an interior space and is configured to be actuated by a needleless connector. The inlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluid entering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to the outlet.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visually depicting a vessel and evaluating treatment options are disclosed. The methods can include obtaining pressure measurements from first and second instruments positioned within a vessel of a patient while the second instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel from a first position to a second position and the first instrument remains stationary within the vessel; and outputting a visual representation of the pressure measurements obtained by the first and second instruments on a display, the output visual representation including a graphical display of a pressure ratio of the obtained pressure measurements and at least a portion of a pressure waveform of the obtained pressure measurements identifying a diagnostic period utilized in calculating the pressure ratio.

Abstract: An in-line sampling system that includes a sampling valve and a syringe for selectively introducing a fluid to and aspirating a fluid from a downstream fluid conduit connected to a catheterized patient. The syringe has a fluid chamber into which fluid is aspirated, a volume regulator for adjusting the volume, a fluid line through which fluid flows through the syringe to a downstream fluid conduit. The syringe also has a valve mechanism for selectively controlling fluid flow along the fluid line and selectively shifting the volume regulator to adjust the volume of the fluid chamber. A housing provides for the fluid chamber and mounts the fluid line, valve mechanism and volume regulator.

Abstract: A sensor element comprises a sensor section comprising a sensor unit configured to measure a physiological variable or any other signal in a living body and to generate a sensor signal in response to the variable or other signal, and a bond section comprising contact members configured to electrically connect at least one signal transmitting microcable. The bond section is coated with an electrically insulating material and the sensor unit is left uncoated. The sensor element may further comprise an intermediate section between the sensor section and the bond section. The intermediate section includes electric connection lines configured to connect the contact members to the sensor unit. The intermediate section is also coated with the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: An interface to connect sensor equipment and a physiological monitor includes a first connector to receive power from a first channel of the monitor and a second connector to receive power from a second channel of the monitor. The power from each of the first and second channels of the monitor is combined within the interface. The interface further includes a third connector to provide the combined power to the sensor equipment; a voltage converter to rescale the voltage of the combined power that is provided to the sensor equipment; and a scaling circuit to reduce the voltage of a signal representing a measured physiological parameter. The signal representing the measured physiological parameter is sent from the sensor equipment to the monitor. The interface is advantageous to allow sensor equipment to be sufficiently powered by a monitor that would not typically provide enough power.

Abstract: A tool and method of positioning and delivering medical devices and therapeutics within the pericardial space, as well as other body part or space. A needle is inserted into the chest through a sub-xiphoid puncture, and the pressure within the needle is monitored manometrically or otherwise sensed as the needle is advanced towards the pericardial space. By reading the pressure within the needle while it is advanced, the clinician is able to know that he or she is avoiding insertion of it into organs or spaces not intended to be the target location. In addition the retractable sharp edge allows the operator to access the space and cut tissue but do so safely by retracting the sharp edge.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an input connector configured for sterile connection to a fluid source, a first tube, a second, and a third tube. The first tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end comprising an input connector configured for sterile attachment to a fluid source. The input connector provides fluid communication between the first tube and the source. The second and third tubes are each in fluid communication with the first tube. The second and third tubes each extend from a proximal end to a distal end comprising an output connector configured for sterile connection to separate fluid input ports of a catheter based device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calculating a corrected Fractional Flow Reserve. Methods include delivering a pressure sensing device including a pressure sensor to a location in an artery having a stenosis, positioning the pressure sensor distal to the stenosis, measuring the distal pressure, measuring the proximal pressure, and calculating a corrected Fractional Flow Reserve using the measured proximal and distal pressures and applying a correction factor or correction equation. The correction factor or correction equation corrects for changes in the measured distal pressure caused by a presence of the pressure sensing device. A data set of correction factors or correction equations may be stored in a memory component of the system. The corrected Fractional Flow reserve may approximate the Fractional Flow Reserve that would be obtained if a different sized device was used to measure the distal pressure, such as a pressure sensing guidewire having a 0.014 inch outer diameter.

Abstract: A disc pump system includes a pump body having a substantially cylindrical shape defining a cavity for containing a fluid, the cavity being formed by a side wall closed at both ends by substantially circular end walls, at least one of the end walls being a driven end wall. The system includes an actuator operatively associated with the driven end wall to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall and an isolator is operatively associated with the peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce damping of the displacement oscillations. The isolator comprises a flexible printed circuit material that includes a strain gauge. The strain gauge measures data that may be used to determine the amount of pressure provided by the pump.

Abstract: A reperfusion catheter system with an introducer sheath having an inner wall defining a longitudinal opening extending from a proximal portion to a distal end. A balloon catheter has an outer wall and has a longitudinal opening extending from a proximal portion to a distal end. The balloon catheter is disposed through the opening in the introducer sheath, and the balloon catheter has an inflatable balloon at the distal end. A conduit has a first end disposed in fluid communication with the area inside the introducer sheath between the inner wall of the introducer sheath and the outer wall of the balloon catheter. The conduit also has a second end disposed in fluid communication with the inside of the balloon catheter.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A guide wire for a catheter comprises an elongated hollow shaft has a lumen for delivering or leading away the fluid, and an insertion aid in the form of a flexible wire coil connected coaxially to a distal end of the hollow shaft. The wire coil has a guide wire tip arranged at a distal end, a core wire being arranged in the lumen of the hollow shaft to control the flexibility of the guide wire. The core wire extends out of the lumen and through the wire coil to the guide wire tip. A distal inner area of the wire coil adjacent to the guide wire tip in a proximal direction communicates with the lumen of the hollow shaft by means of a fluid channel formed next to the core wire and has at least one outwardly open passage opening for the fluid to be introduced or removed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter and a balloon located on the distal end of the catheter. A pair of stimulating electrodes for receiving a constant current stimulating signal when the balloon is inflated with an electrically conductive medium and a plurality of sensing electrodes for producing voltage response signals are located on the catheter. The voltage response signals are indicative of the values of the transverse cross-sectional area of the balloon adjacent the sensing electrodes. A first lumen accommodates the inflating medium to and from the balloon, and a second lumen accommodates electrically conductive wires to the stimulating and sensing electrodes. A pressure sensing element is located in a protective housing in the second lumen, and communicates through a communicating opening in the protective housing and through a communicating port in the catheter with a hollow interior region of the balloon.

Abstract: A stylus has a stylus barrel and a stylus nib that can move with respect to the stylus barrel. A first pressure sensor is configured to sense air pressure that corresponds to force being supplied to the stylus nib and a second pressure sensor serves to sense ambient air pressure. A control circuit operably couples to both pressure sensors and determines a gauge pressure value as corresponds to force being applied to the stylus nib. By one approach a temperature sensor can also operably couple to the control circuit and provide temperature information that the control circuit can utilize when determining the aforementioned gauge pressure value.

Abstract: A pressure gauge for determining at least one pressure value describing a pressure of a fluid flowing in a pulsating manner in a phase of the pulsating flow, includes a pulse wave characterizer. The pulse wave characterizer is configured to obtain transmit time information of a pulse wave, and amplitude information of the pulse wave. The pressure gauge additionally includes a pressure value determiner configured to obtain a first pressure value describing a pressure of the fluid in a first phase, on the basis of the transmit time information and while using a mapping. The pressure value determiner is further configured to obtain a second pressure value describing a pressure of the fluid in a second phase, on the basis of the first pressure value and the amplitude information while using a mapping.

Abstract: Sensor guide wire for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body or of external signals, which sensor guide wire has a proximal region, a distal sensor region and a tip region, the sensor guide wire comprises a core wire having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensor guide wire, and a sensor element arranged in the distal sensor region, the sensor element has a sensitive portion for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response to said variable. The sensor element has an essentially planar main surface and has its maximal extension in the plane of the main surface, and a thickness perpendicular to the plane of the main surface, wherein the sensor element is arranged in an essentially perpendicular relation to said core wire with regard to the planar main surface of the sensor element.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a guidewire system for treating a patient includes an internal sensor mount having a body and a first cutout extending through a wall of the body; a core wire secured to the internal sensor mount; a sensor assembly for detecting a physiological characteristic of a patient secured to the internal sensor mount; an external housing disposed about the internal sensor mount and including an opening in communication with the cutout of the internal sensor mount; a proximal flexible member secured to at least one of the internal sensor mount and the external housing; a first distal flexible member secured to at least one of the internal sensor mount and the external housing; and at least one conductor electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and extending proximally beyond the internal sensor mount through the proximal flexible member.

Abstract: An intravascular rotary blood pump possesses a catheter (10), a pumping device (50) fixed distally to the catheter (10) and at least one pressure sensor (30; 60) firmly connected to the pumping device (50) and having a pressure-sensitive area (32) which is exposed to the surroundings and aligned orthogonally to the general longitudinal axis of the blood pump.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device can have a sensor that is used to measure a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used in combination with a medical guidewire carrying another sensor also configured to measure a physiological parameter of the patient, such as blood pressure. Data generated from the intravascular sensor delivery device sensor and the guidewire sensor can be used to determine a characteristic of interest for the vascular structure under investigation. For example, the data can be used to calculate a pressure distal to pressure proximal ratio across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion.