Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/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 embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/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 with electrical conductors embedded within a core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire and a sensing element adjacent a distal portion of the guide wire. 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 electrical conductors embedded within a core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire and a sensing element adjacent a distal portion of the guide wire. 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: The invention is a method for calibrating an intravascular pressure sensor at the point of use. By using data from a secondary pressure measurement device, e.g., an automated aortic pressure monitor, the pressure sensor can be easily calibrated over a range of temperatures and pressures relevant to the patient. Accordingly, an intravascular pressure sensor can be calibrated without undergoing a factory calibration. Additionally, in the event that the calibration is lost, the sensor can be recalibrated.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor assembly including a flexible elongate member having a longitudinal axis (LA) is provided. The sensor assembly includes a first engagement feature proximal to a distal end of the flexible elongate member; a core member disposed inside a lumen of the flexible elongate member, the core member configured to translate within the flexible elongate member along the LA proximal to the first engagement feature; and a component holding a sensor circuit, the component fixedly secured to a distal end of the core member such that the mounting structure translates along the LA of the flexible elongate member with the core member. A system and a method for performing measurements using a sensor as above are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, side-loading electrical connectors for use with intravascular devices are provided. The side-loading electrical connector has at least one electrical contact configured to interface with an electrical connector of the intravascular device. A first connection piece of the side-loading electrical connector is movable relative to a second connection piece between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position an elongated opening is formed between the first and second connection pieces to facilitate insertion of the electrical connector between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector received between the first and second connection pieces.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, side-loading electrical connectors for use with intravascular devices are provided. The side-loading electrical connector has at least one electrical contact configured to interface with an electrical connector of the intravascular device. A first connection piece of the side-loading electrical connector is movable relative to a second connection piece between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position an elongated opening is formed between the first and second connection pieces to facilitate insertion of the electrical connector between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector received between the first and second connection pieces.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. 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 with electrical conductors embedded within a core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire and a sensing element adjacent a distal portion of the guide wire. 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 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 member and the system includes components to process the output signals according to various calibration parameters.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are provided. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are catheters with a plurality of openings in a distal portion to facilitate taking pressure measurements from within a lumen of the catheter. The intravascular device includes a tubular member that has a proximal portion and a distal portion; a lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion along a longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the lumen sized and shaped to receive a pressure sensing device; and openings spaced along the distal portion of the tubular member, the openings sized and shaped to provide fluidic communication between the lumen and a region surrounding the tubular member to allow the pressure sensing device to measure an ambient pressure of the region surrounding the tubular member from within the lumen. An intravascular system and a method for obtaining pressure measurements are also provided.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component positioned within a distal portion of the device. In some instances, a plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to the pressure sensing component and a potting material covers the electrical connections between the plurality of conductors and the pressure sensing component. In some instances, the potting material has a durometer hardness between about 20 Shore A and about 50 Shore A, a moisture absorption rate of about 0% per twenty-four hours, a linear shrinkage of 0%, a coefficient of thermal expansion (m/m/-° C.) of between about 1.0×10?5 and about 5.0×10?4, and a volume resistivity (?-cm) between about 6.0×1013 and about 1.0×1014. 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 with electrical conductors embedded within a core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire and a sensing element adjacent a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.