Abstract: An improved catheter system having an ultrasonic imaging transducer coupled to a drive cable disposed within a lumen of a flexible tubular catheter body. An improvement including a reconfiguration of the ferrites in the hub assembly, such that the need for the gap between the ferrites is removed. A strain relief member is provided to increase the strength of the electrical transmission lines to enable them to withstand the tensile forces caused by either flushing and/or pull-back operations. A device which allows the electrical transmission lines to extend their length when placed in tension may also be employed to provide strain relief to the electrical transmission lines. Another improvement includes a counter-wound coil structure, which may either expand or contract as the drive cable is being rotated to strengthen the drive cable. The distal tip of the catheter body may be redesigned to provide a lumen which allows for the release of flushing fluids through a distal port in the guidewire lumen.

Abstract: In a multiple speed-change operation for switching between an up-shift operation and a down-shift operation, engine torque control is adapted to an actual change in speed-change state, whereby an abrupt change in rotational speed of the input shaft is prevented. One embodiment relates to a speed-change operation from the second speed to the third speed, wherein the engagement-side hydraulic pressure B4 rises and the release-side hydraulic pressure B5 drops, the rotational speed NT of the input shaft changes from a second speed state toward a third speed state and the engine torque TE is reduced by a predetermined amount TCU. If a command to perform a speed-change operation from the third speed to the second speed is issued during the aforementioned speed-change operation from the second speed to the third speed, control of the hydraulic pressures is switched to the speed-change operation from the third speed to the second speed.