Abstract: A sensor and guide wire assembly (21; 41; 61; 81) for intravascular measurements of a physiological variable in a living body includes a sensor element (22; 42; 62; 82) mounted at a distal sensor portion (23; 43; 63; 83) of a guide wire (24; 44; 64; 84), wherein the sensor portion exhibits a maximal cross-sectional dimension which is larger than a maximal cross-sectional dimension of guide wire portions (28, 30; 48, 50; 68, 70) located proximally of the sensor portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor (23) adapted for a sensor and guide wire assembly for intravascular measurements in a living body, wherein the sensor (23) comprises a pressure sensitive part (24) and an electronic part (25), said pressure sensitive part (24) comprising a first chip (26) provided with at least one pressure sensitive device (27) and at least one piezoelectric element (35), and said electronic part (25) comprising a second chip (28) provided with at least one electric circuit, and wherein said pressure sensitive part (24) and electronic part (25) are spatially separated from each other and are electrically connected with at least one electrical lead (29).

Abstract: A sensor and insertion assembly 2 is used for intravascular measurement of pressure in a living body. The assembly includes, a sensor chip 6 having a substrate body 8 with a recess covered by a pressure sensitive film 10 thereby forming a cavity 12. A piezoelectric element, preferably in the form of a piezoelectric film 14, is arranged in connection with the pressure sensitive film, and energy is applied to the piezoelectric element such that acoustic waves are generated in the element. The piezoelectric element is arranged to generate an output signal, representing the pressure at the film, in dependence on the measured properties of the acoustic waves related to the deflection of the pressure sensitive film.

Abstract: A sensor and guide wire assembly (21; 41) for intravascular measurements of a physiological variable in a living body, comprises a sensor element (22; 42) and a sensor guide wire (23; 43) comprising a core wire (28; 48) and at least one signal transmitting cable (31; 51) connected to the sensor element, wherein a polymer layer (27; 47) is provided which encloses a portion of the core wire and the at least one signal transmitting cable.

Abstract: A sensor and insertion assembly 2 is used for intravascular measurement of pressure in a living body. The assembly includes a sensor chip 6 having a substrate body 8 with a recess covered by a pressure sensitive film 10 thereby forming a cavity 12. A piezoelectric element, preferably in the form of a piezoelectric film 14, is arranged in connection with the pressure sensitive film, and energy is applied to the piezoelectric element such that acoustic waves are generated in the element. The piezoelectric element is arranged to generate an output signal, representing the pressure at the film, in dependence on the measured properties of the acoustic waves related to the deflection of the pressure sensitive film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor (23) adapted for a sensor and guide wire assembly for intravascular measurements in a living body, wherein the sensor (23) comprises a pressure sensitive part (24) and an electronic part (25), said pressure sensitive part (24) comprising a first chip (26) provided with at least one pressure sensitive device (27) and at least one piezoelectric element (35), and said electronic part (25) comprising a second chip (28) provided with at least one electric circuit, and wherein said pressure sensitive part (24) and electronic part (25) are spatially separated from each other and are electrically connected with at least one electrical lead (29).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor and guide wire assembly including a pressure sensor having a plurality of terminals, the sensor being mounted in the distal end region of a core wire. It also includes two to four electrodes for conductance measurement, also provided in the distal end region. Two electrodes are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: Core wire for a sensor guide wire assembly for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body, the core wire (20, 30) is provided with different longitudinal sections each having a section diameter (&phgr;A-&phgr;G), and comprises an enlarged portion, where a sensor is adapted to be arranged, including a predetermined number of sections (C, D, E), one or many distal sections (F, G) positioned distally said enlarged portion and one or many proximal sections (A, B) positioned proximally said enlarged portion, wherein at least one of the sections of said enlarged portion has a larger diameter compared to the diameters of the distal and proximal sections. The ratio between the diameters (&phgr;F, &phgr;C) adjacent the enlarged portion is close to 1.

Abstract: A method to assist an operator of an interactive measurement system for determining flow related parameters based upon physiological signals obtained by a measurement unit that comprises a catheter adapted to be inserted into a vessel inside a body of a human or an animal, a wire adapted to be inserted into the catheter and provided with a temperature sensor at its distal end, and a computer means adapted to receive and store detected temperature signals received from said sensor and said wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor and guide wire assembly comprising a pressure sensor having a plurality of terminals, the sensor being mounted in the distal end region of said core wire. It also comprises two to four electrodes for conductance measurement, also provided in the distal end region. Said two electrodes are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: When a bolus dose of cold saline is injected into a catheter where a wire, carrying a sensor unit and electrical leads for signal transmission, is located, the lead resistance is affected by the cold saline thereby altering the resistivity. However, by countering this effect and measuring the change needed to affect this countermeasure, a resistance variation curve can be generated. An accurate starting point for the determination of a transit time can be derived from the curve. Using conventional flow measurement calculations with the accurate starting point yields a better understanding of the flow profile in an artery based on the transit time.

Abstract: Medical system comprising a hollow catheter 14, for insertion into a human or animal body, and an elongated x-ray tube unit 12 provided with an x-ray tube 16 at its distal end and adapted to be inserted into the catheter. A distal pole 8 of the x-ray tube is connectable to a connection means 22 in said catheter, wherein the x-ray tube is energised via a single electrical conductor 18 in said x-ray tube unit connected to the proximal pole and via said connection means.

Abstract: A miniaturized radiation device, having a support member in the form of a flexible sheet, and a circuit pattern of electrical contact pads and interconnecting conductor lines or leads provided on said support member. The pads are interconnected via said patterned lines. There is also a plurality of radiation chips electrically connected to selected ones of said pads. Preferably the device is wrapped around a core member, that may be a wire, such that the assembly is suitable for the insertion into a living body for the controlled administration of radiation at a therapy location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring pressure, temperature and flow velocity. It comprises a sensor (6) with a sensor support body (13) provided with a diaphragm (15) covering a cavity (14) formed in the support body (13). A pressure sensitive element (41) is mounted on the diaphragm, for recording pressure. Furthermore, a temperature sensitive resistor (42) mounted in the vicinity of and having known temperature dependences, for recording temperature. It also comprises an electrical circuit (43, 44, 45, 46) selectively outputting signals from either of the pressure sensitive element and the temperature sensitive resistor.

Abstract: A guide wire for measuring physiological characteristics inside a body includes a sensor (14) for monitoring the physical variable and for forming an output signal characteristic for the value of the physical variable. The sensor is connected to a first electrical potential of an electronic unit (22) via an electrical wire (11) extending along the guide wire. An internal body electrode (17) is connected to the sensor (14) and is in contact with body fluids surrounding the sensor circuit. The guide wire (10) is inserted into a vessel of the body (25), and a second electrode (21) is applied near the internal body electrode, and the sensor circuit is powered by a second potential of the electronic unit (22) via a part of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the controlled delivery of ionizing radiation to a therapy location. It comprises a source (4) of ionizing radiation provided at the distal end of an elongated member (6). It also has a control unit (12) for controlling the movement of said radiation source (4) at the therapy location, via a driving unit (21, 22; 23, 24, 25, 26). A method according to the invention comprises controlling the radiation dose at the therapy location, by controlling the movement of the source.

Abstract: A method to assist an operator of an interactive measurement system for determining flow related parameters based upon physiological signals obtained by a measurement unit that comprises a catheter adapted to be inserted into a vessel inside a body of a human or an animal, a wire adapted to be inserted into the catheter and provided with a temperature sensor at its distal end, and a computer means adapted to receive and store detected temperature signals received from said sensor and said wire.

Abstract: An X-ray source includes a first support member and a second support member joined together so as to form a cavity between them and such that they are electrically insulated from each other. A cathode and an anode are located inside the cavity and opposite each other. The cathode is suitably made of diamond or diamond like material, and includes at least one pointed element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resonance based pressure transducer system, insertable into a living body for the in vivo measurement of pressure. It comprises a pressure sensor (2) having a mechanical resonator (16), the resonance frequency of which is pressure dependent; and a source of ultrasonic energy (4). The sensor (2) is mechanically coupled to said source (4) of ultrasonic energy, and the sensor and the source of ultrasonic energy are provided on a common, elongated member (6) at the distal end thereof. A system for pressure measurement comprises an AC power supply, a resonance based pressure transducer system, and a control unit for controlling the supply mode of the AC power, and for analyzing a resonance signal emitted from the resonance based pressure transducer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring pressure, temperature and/or flow velocity. It includes a sensor (6) with a sensor support body (13) provided with a diaphragm (15) covering a cavity (14) formed in the support body (13). A pressure sensitive element (41) is mounted on the diaphragm, for recording pressure. Furthermore, a temperature sensitive resistor (42) is mounted in the vicinity of the pressure sensitive resistor and has a known temperature dependence, for recording temperature. It also includes an electrical circuit (43, 44, 45, 46) selectively outputting signals from either of the pressure sensitive element and the temperature sensitive resistor.