Abstract: The heart valve assessment systems described herein advantageously provide indicators of a heart valve condition, such as a pressure gradient or a valve regurgitation index. The heart valve assessment systems can provide indicators of a heart valve condition during a heart procedure. A pressure gradient indicates a severity or measurement of the narrowing (or stenosis) of a valve by the increase in pressure behind it. A valve regurgitation index indicates a leakiness measurement of a valve.

Abstract: A pressure guidewire is provided that includes an outer tube, a connector tube positioned radially inward of the outer tube, a pressure sensor assembly, and/or a distal tip at the distal end of the outer tube. A core wire may be positioned distal to the connector tube. The core wire may have a reduced diameter portion such as a tapered portion. The pressure sensor assembly may include a pressure sensor positioned distal of the connector tube, for example radially between a coil portion of the outer tube and the core wire. The pressure sensor assembly may also include one or more pressure wires leads extending from the pressure sensor and through the connector tube lumen.

Abstract: A pressure guidewire is provided that has a proximal end and a distal end. The pressure guidewire has a proximal section a sensor housing section, and an intermediate section. The proximal section extends from the proximal end of the pressure guidewire to a distal end of the proximal section. The sensor housing section is disposed adjacent to the distal end of the pressure guidewire. The intermediate section disposed between the proximal section and the sensor housing section. The intermediate section has a proximal end separate from the proximal section. The proximal end can be coupled to the distal end of the proximal section. The pressure guidewire has a tubular body positioned within the intermediate section.

Abstract: The present document describes an interface connector handle for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber is substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The second optical fiber is routed through and extending from an optical interface cable. The interface connector handle comprises a biasing assembly for urging one of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber toward the other one of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber resulting in a contact therebetween.

Abstract: There is described a method for terminating an optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter and comprises a lumen. The method comprises centering the optical fiber relative to the outside diameter of the proximal portion of the guidewire tubing. The optical fiber and the inside of the lumen define an average gap there between. The average gap around the optical fiber is between 1 ?m and 100 ?m for allowing a substantial displacement of the optical fiber inside the lumen during the centering.

Abstract: The present document describes a female optical receiving device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber is substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The female optical receiving device comprises a first ferrule or tubing having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, and a second ferrule or tubing having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the second optical fiber. The longitudinal axis of the first ferrule or tubing is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule or tubing.

Abstract: There is described a method for terminating an optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter and comprises a lumen. The method comprises centering the optical fiber relative to the outside diameter of the proximal portion of the guidewire tubing. The optical fiber and the inside of the lumen define an average gap there between. The average gap around the optical fiber is between 1 ?m and 100 ?m for allowing a substantial displacement of the optical fiber inside the lumen during the centering.

Abstract: A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter defined as having a tolerance of ±0.001? or less. The method comprises the step of centering the first optical fiber within the guidewire tubing. A female optical receiving device used to receive an optical guidewire and connect guidewire internal optical fiber to an external relaying optical cable is also provided.

Abstract: The present document describes an interface connector handle for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber is substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The second optical fiber is routed through and extending from an optical interface cable.

Abstract: The present document describes a female optical receiving device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber is substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The female optical receiving device comprises a first ferrule or tubing having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, and a second ferrule or tubing having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the second optical fiber. The longitudinal axis of the first ferrule or tubing is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule or tubing.

Abstract: There is described a miniature fiber optic pressure sensor design where sensitivity around specific biased pressure is optimized. In an embodiment, the pressure sensor is a Fabry-Perot (FP) sensor which comprises a substrate; and a diaphragm mounted on the substrate. The diaphragm has a center and comprises: a first layer comprising a first material; and a second layer comprising a second material. The second layer forms a dot or a ring. The dot or ring is mounted on the first layer and is centered about the center of the diaphragm. The second material comprises internal pre-stresses to cause the center of the diaphragm (in the case of a dot) or the peripheral area about the center of the diaphragm (in the case of a ring) to camber away from the substrate upon relaxing the internal pre-stresses.

Abstract: A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter defined as having a tolerance of ±0.001? or less. The method comprises the step of centering the first optical fiber within the guidewire tubing. A female optical receiving device used to receive an optical guidewire and connect guidewire internal optical fiber to an external relaying optical cable is also provided.

Abstract: There is herein described a catheter for measuring a pressure in a cardiovascular system. The catheter comprises: a guiding tube adapted for insertion into the cardiovascular system. The guiding tube defines a lumen for sliding a guidewire therethrough. The catheter further comprises a tip pressure sensor eccentrically mounted relative to the guiding tube and a signal communication means extending therefrom. The tip pressure sensor is for sensing a pressure in the cardiovascular system and the signal communicating means is for transmitting a signal indicative of the pressure to a processing device in order to obtain a pressure measurement reading.

Abstract: There is described a miniature fiber optic pressure sensor design where sensitivity around specific biased pressure is optimized. In an embodiment, the pressure sensor is a Fabry-Perot (FP) sensor which comprises a substrate; and a diaphragm mounted on the substrate. The diaphragm has a center and comprises: a first layer comprising a first material; and a second layer comprising a second material. The second layer forms a dot or a ring. The dot or ring is mounted on the first layer and is centered about the center of the diaphragm. The second material comprises internal pre-stresses to cause the center of the diaphragm (in the case of a dot) or the peripheral area about the center of the diaphragm (in the case of a ring) to camber away from the substrate upon relaxing the internal pre-stresses.

Abstract: There is herein described a catheter for measuring a pressure in a cardiovascular system. The catheter comprises: a guiding tube adapted for insertion into the cardiovascular system. The guiding tube defines a lumen for sliding a guidewire therethrough. The catheter further comprises a tip pressure sensor eccentrically mounted relative to the guiding tube and a signal communication means extending therefrom. The tip pressure sensor is for sensing a pressure in the cardiovascular system and the signal communicating means is for transmitting a signal indicative of the pressure to a processing device in order to obtain a pressure measurement reading.

Abstract: There is herein described a catheter for measuring a pressure in a cardiovascular system. The catheter comprises: a guiding tube adapted for insertion into the cardiovascular system. The guiding tube defines a lumen for sliding a guidewire therethrough. The catheter further comprises a tip pressure sensor eccentrically mounted relative to the guiding tube and a signal communication means extending therefrom. The tip pressure sensor is for sensing a pressure in the cardiovascular system and the signal communicating means is for transmitting a signal indicative of the pressure to a processing device in order to obtain a pressure measurement reading.