Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire that includes separate sections with engaged core components. For example, a sensing guide wire can include a proximal portion having a proximal core member and at least one proximal electrical conductor and a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion, the distal portion having a distal core member, a sensing element, and at least one distal electrical conductor coupled to the sensing element, wherein engagement structures of the proximal and distal core members are engaged and wherein the at least one distal electrical conductor is coupled to the at least one proximal electrical conductor such that the at least one proximal electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the sensing element. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: An intraluminal sensing device includes a guidewire configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient. The guidewire includes a core wire, a first insulative coating covering at least a portion of a circumference of the core wire, and at least two conductive traces insulated from one another and extending longitudinally along at least the portion of the length of the core wire over an outer surface of the first insulative coating. Each conductive trace conforms to the curvature of the first insulative coating. The guidewire also includes a second insulative coating covering the conductive traces along at least the portion of the length of the core wire, and a sensor in electrical communication with the at least two conductive traces and configured to obtain physiological data while positioned within the body lumen. The guidewire also includes a proximal connector in electrical communication with the conductive traces.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an intravascular system includes an intravascular guidewire that includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and a locking section integral with a metal core of the flexible elongate member at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member. The metal core has a first diameter. The locking section includes a first subsection and a second subsection. The first subsection has a second of diameter smaller than the first diameter and the second subsection transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire having a polymer jacket applied over communication lines and a core member, where the communication lines have been wrapped around the core member. For example, in some implementations a sensing guide wire includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including: a core member; a plurality of communication lines wrapped around the core member; a polymer jacket formed around the core member and the plurality of communication lines; and a sensing element positioned distal of the polymer jacket and communicatively coupled to the plurality of communication lines. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one mounting structure within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical component is coupled to the mounting structure. In some instances, the mounting structure is formed of a plurality of material layers. In some embodiments, the material layers have substantially constant thicknesses. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire that includes separate sections with engaged core components. For example, a sensing guide wire can include a proximal portion having a proximal core member and at least one proximal electrical conductor and a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion, the distal portion having a distal core member, a sensing element, and at least one distal electrical conductor coupled to the sensing element, wherein engagement structures of the proximal and distal core members are engaged and wherein the at least one distal electrical conductor is coupled to the at least one proximal electrical conductor such that the at least one proximal electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the sensing element. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire that includes separate sections with engaged core components. For example, a sensing guide wire can include a proximal portion having a proximal core member and at least one proximal electrical conductor and a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion, the distal portion having a distal core member, a sensing element, and at least one distal electrical conductor coupled to the sensing element, wherein engagement structures of the proximal and distal core members are engaged and wherein the at least one distal electrical conductor is coupled to the at least one proximal electrical conductor such that the at least one proximal electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the sensing element. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with distal tip element having a radiopaque marker pattern. For example, in some implementations a sensing guide wire includes a flexible elongate member; a sensing element coupled to the flexible elongate member; a flexible tip element coupled to and extending distally from the sensing element, the flexible tip element having a first radiopaque section, a second radiopaque section, and a non-radiopaque section positioned between the first and second radiopaque sections. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an intravascular system includes an intravascular guidewire that includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and a locking section integral with a metal core of the flexible elongate member at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member. The metal core has a first diameter. The locking section includes a first subsection and a second subsection. The first subsection has a second of diameter smaller than the first diameter and the second subsection transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one mounting structure within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical component is coupled to the mounting structure. In some instances, the mounting structure is formed of a plurality of material layers. In some embodiments, the material layers have substantially constant thicknesses. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire having a polymer jacket applied over communication lines and a core member, where the communication lines have been wrapped around the core member. For example, in some implementations a sensing guide wire includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including: a core member; a plurality of communication lines wrapped around the core member; a polymer jacket formed around the core member and the plurality of communication lines; and a sensing element positioned distal of the polymer jacket and communicatively coupled to the plurality of communication lines. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with distal tip element having a radiopaque marker pattern. For example, in some implementations a sensing guide wire includes a flexible elongate member; a sensing element coupled to the flexible elongate member; a flexible tip element coupled to and extending distally from the sensing element, the flexible tip element having a first radiopaque section, a second radiopaque section, and a non-radiopaque section positioned between the first and second radiopaque sections. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire that includes separate sections with engaged core components. For example, a sensing guide wire can include a proximal portion having a proximal core member and at least one proximal electrical conductor and a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion, the distal portion having a distal core member, a sensing element, and at least one distal electrical conductor coupled to the sensing element, wherein engagement structures of the proximal and distal core members are engaged and wherein the at least one distal electrical conductor is coupled to the at least one proximal electrical conductor such that the at least one proximal electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the sensing element. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing user-targeted advertisements to content recipients. Such advertisements may, for example, be selected using a user profile that is maintained locally at the recipient's computing or other content consuming device. A user profile can include information about the user's past viewing behavior. One exemplary embodiment uses a local content player software application to maintain a user profile based on contextual, behavioral, demographic, and other data linked to the content, the user's viewing habits, and/or location, among other things. Such a content player can select advertisements by matching user content information with user profile information. User profile information can be limited to local use to protect user privacy concerns.

Abstract: A medical device having a lubricious coating on at least a section of the medical device, and a method of coating a medical device, the lubricious coating being a network of a hydrophilic compound cross-linked to itself and interlocked with a network of a cross-linked polymerized multifunctional monomer or polymer. The coating can include one or more agents which provide enhanced adhesion of the coating on the device, or which provide faster hydration of the coating and/or improved lubricity. Additionally, the lubricious coating can be provided with one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents, and in one embodiment the agent elutes relatively quickly in a concentrated release from the lubricious coating upon hydration of the coating.

Abstract: A guide wire for advancing a medical device such as a catheter through a patient's body lumen which has an elongated core with proximal and distal core section, a flexible tubular member such as a coil on the distal end. The wire core includes surface textures that are translated into the overlying coating. Alternatively, the coating has its own surface texture. The surface textures include randomly or non-randomly spaced bumps, divots, ridges, helical grooves, longitudinal grooves, undulations, etc.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for use in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The device includes a filtering assembly having a self-expanding strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto. In one embodiment, the filtering assembly is attached to the distal end of a guidewire and is deployed within the patient's vasculature as the guidewire is manipulated into the area of treatment. A restraining sheath placed over the filtering assembly in a coaxial arrangement maintains the filtering assembly in its collapsed position until it is ready to be deployed by the physician. Thereafter, the sheath can be retracted to expose the filtering assembly which will then self-expand within the patient's vasculature.