Abstract: Communication apparatus includes an input circuit, which receives a sequence of symbols arranged in a series of data blocks, including data symbols that encode the data and forward error correction (FEC) symbols that encode an error correction code. The input circuit decodes the data encoded by the data symbols and passes the decoded data to a buffer for output to a data link layer interface irrespective of the FEC symbols. An error correction circuit receives the data and the error correction code from the input circuit, and upon detecting an error in a given data block in the series, passes the corrected data from the given data block to the buffer for output to the data link layer interface in place of the data from the given data block that the input circuit decoded and passed to the buffer.

Abstract: A guidewire for a medical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guidewire includes a corewire having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an elongate shroud disposed about the corewire, the shroud having a distal end, and a plug coupled with the distal end portion of the corewire and the distal end of the shroud, the plug having a distal, non-traumatic tip portion, an interior between the corewire and the shroud being configured to receive a sensor.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes an input circuit, which receives a sequence of symbols arranged in a series of data blocks, including data symbols that encode the data and forward error correction (FEC) symbols that encode an error correction code. The input circuit decodes the data encoded by the data symbols and passes the decoded data to a buffer for output to a data link layer interface irrespective of the FEC symbols. An error correction circuit receives the data and the error correction code from the input circuit, and upon detecting an error in a given data block in the series, passes the corrected data from the given data block to the buffer for output to the data link layer interface in place of the data from the given data block that the input circuit decoded and passed to the buffer.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a PHY interface, which is configured to receive over a communication link and to decode a sequence of symbols arranged in a series of data blocks. The PHY interface includes an error correction circuit, which when actuated, corrects errors in decoded data symbols using FEC symbols in the data blocks. The decoded data include data packets containing respective error detection codes. A memory buffers the data blocks received by the PHY interface. A data link layer interface receives the data packets from the PHY interface, checks the data packets using respective error detection codes, and upon detecting an error in a given data packet, signals the PHY interface to read from the memory at least one buffered data block that contains the given data packet while actuating the error correction circuit to correct the error using the FEC symbols in the at least one buffered data block.

Abstract: An elongate medical device having an axis comprises an inner liner, a jacket radially outward of the liner, a braid comprising metal embedded in the jacket, a sensor, and at least one wire electrically connected to said sensor. The at least one wire is one of: embedded in the jacket and optionally disposed helically around the braid; extending longitudinally within a tube which extends generally parallel to the device axis and wherein the tube is embedded in the jacket; and disposed within a lumen, wherein the lumen extends longitudinally within the jacket.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a PHY interface, which is configured to receive over a communication link and to decode a sequence of symbols arranged in a series of data blocks. The PHY interface includes an error correction circuit, which when actuated, corrects errors in decoded data symbols using FEC symbols in the data blocks. The decoded data include data packets containing respective error detection codes. A memory buffers the data blocks received by the PHY interface. A data link layer interface receives the data packets from the PHY interface, checks the data packets using respective error detection codes, and upon detecting an error in a given data packet, signals the PHY interface to read from the memory at least one buffered data block that contains the given data packet while actuating the error correction circuit to correct the error using the FEC symbols in the at least one buffered data block.

Abstract: An elongate medical device having an axis comprises an inner liner, a jacket radially outward of the liner, a braid comprising metal embedded in the jacket, a sensor, and at least one wire electrically connected to said sensor. The at least one wire is one of: embedded in the jacket and optionally disposed helically around the braid; extending longitudinally within a tube which extends generally parallel to the device axis and wherein the tube is embedded in the jacket; and disposed within a lumen, wherein the lumen extends longitudinally within the jacket.

Abstract: A medical device configured for diagnosis or treatment of tissues within a body is provided. The device includes an elongate, deformable member configured to be received within a lumen in the body and having proximal and distal ends. A position sensor is disposed at the distal end. In one embodiment, a conductor is wound about the member. The conductor is connected to the position sensor and has a first winding pitch over a first portion of the deformable member and a second winding pitch, different from the first winding pitch, over a second portion of the deformable member. In another embodiment, the member defines a neutral longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. A conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends is connected to the position sensor at a connection node on the neutral axis.

Abstract: A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a corewire, sensor core, and coupler is presented. A portion of the corewire is disposed within a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core is disposed within a second end. Alternatively, the device comprises a corewire and a sensor assembly comprising a sensor core having first and second ends and a bore in the first end. A portion of the corewire is disposed within the bore. A method of manufacture comprises providing a corewire, sensor core, and coupler. The method further comprises inserting a portion of the corewire into a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core into a second end. Alternatively, the method comprises providing a sensor core having first and second ends, and a corewire. The method further comprises forming a bore in the first end, and inserting the corewire into the bore.

Abstract: A medical device configured for diagnosis or treatment of tissues within a body is provided. The device includes an elongate, deformable member configured to be received within a lumen in the body and having proximal and distal ends. A position sensor is disposed at the distal end. In one embodiment, a conductor is wound about the member. The conductor is connected to the position sensor and has a first winding pitch over a first portion of the deformable member and a second winding pitch, different from the first winding pitch, over a second portion of the deformable member. In another embodiment, the member defines a neutral longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. A conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends is connected to the position sensor at a connection node on the neutral axis.

Abstract: A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a corewire, sensor core, and coupler is presented. A portion of the corewire is disposed within a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core is disposed within a second end. Alternatively, the device comprises a corewire and a sensor assembly comprising a sensor core having first and second ends and a bore in the first end. A portion of the corewire is disposed within the bore. A method of manufacture comprises providing a corewire, sensor core, and coupler. The method further comprises inserting a portion of the corewire into a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core into a second end. Alternatively, the method comprises providing a sensor core having first and second ends, and a corewire. The method further comprises forming a bore in the first end, and inserting the corewire into the bore.

Abstract: A flexible guidewire comprising a hollow tube, having a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having a distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal section gradually decreasing toward the distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal tip being larger than the smallest outer diameter of the distal section, the flexible guidewire further comprising a plug coupled with the distal tip of the hollow tube for creating a non-traumatic tip, and the flexible guidewire further comprising a tubular spring, being place around the distal section of the hollow tube for maintaining the outer diameter of the hollow tube over the length thereof and for supporting compressive loads.

Abstract: A medical device configured for diagnosis or treatment of tissues within a body is provided. The device includes an elongate, deformable member configured to be received within a lumen in the body and having proximal and distal ends. A position sensor is disposed at the distal end. In one embodiment, a conductor is wound about the member. The conductor is connected to the position sensor and has a first winding pitch over a first portion of the deformable member and a second winding pitch, different from the first winding pitch, over a second portion of the deformable member. In another embodiment, the member defines a neutral longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. A conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends is connected to the position sensor at a connection node on the neutral axis.

Abstract: A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connecter section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

Abstract: A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

Abstract: A medical device configured for diagnosis or treatment of tissues within a body is provided. The device includes an elongate, deformable member configured to be received within a lumen in the body and having proximal and distal ends. A position sensor is disposed at the distal end. In one embodiment, a conductor is wound about the member. The conductor is connected to the position sensor and has a first winding pitch over a first portion of the deformable member and a second winding pitch, different from the first winding pitch, over a second portion of the deformable member. In another embodiment, the member defines a neutral longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. A conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends is connected to the position sensor at a connection node on the neutral axis.

Abstract: A guidewire for a medical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guidewire includes a corewire having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an elongate shroud disposed about the corewire, the shroud having a distal end, and a plug coupled with the distal end portion of the corewire and the distal end of the shroud, the plug having a distal, non-traumatic tip portion, an interior between the corewire and the shroud being configured to receive a sensor.

Abstract: An elongate medical device having an axis comprises an inner liner, a jacket radially outward of the liner, a braid comprising metal embedded in the jacket, a sensor, and at least one wire electrically connected to said sensor. The at least one wire is one of: embedded in the jacket and optionally disposed helically around the braid; extending longitudinally within a tube which extends generally parallel to the device axis and wherein the tube is embedded in the jacket; and disposed within a lumen, wherein the lumen extends longitudinally within the jacket.