Intravascular Devices, Systems, and Methods

• US 20140005543A1
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volcano Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Volcano Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Burkett, David H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,351,687 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6851 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09083 having a coil around a core
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

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.

Claims

1. An intravascular system, comprising:

an intravascular device comprising a proximal connection portion having at least one electrical contact, wherein the proximal connection portion includes a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter less than the first diameter; and

a connector configured to interface with the proximal connection portion of the intravascular device, the connector including;

a first connection piece; and

a second connection piece having at least one electrical contact secured thereto, the second connection piece movable relative to the first connection piece between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the second connection piece is configured to receive the proximal connection portion of the intravascular device in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device such that an alignment feature of the first connection piece engages the second section of the proximal connection portion of the flexible elongate member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein engagement of the alignment feature of the first connection piece with the second section of the proximal connection portion of the flexible elongate member aligns the at least one electrical contact of the intravascular device with the at least one electrical contact of the connector.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact of the intravascular device is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical contact of the connector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further includes a bias element that urges the first and second connection pieces towards the closed position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first connection piece of the connector includes a recess sized and shaped to receive a section of the proximal connection portion that includes the at least one electrical contact.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one electrical contact of the connector is secured to the second connection piece such that the at least one electrical contact of the connector is spaced from the recess of the first connection piece in the open position and extends across the recess of the first connection piece in the closed position.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one electrical contact of the connector comprises a split open comb electrical contact.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical contact of the intravascular device consists of three electrical connectors.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the intravascular device further includes at least one electronic component electrically coupled to the at least one electrical contact.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic component of the intravascular device is a pressure sensing component.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic component of the intravascular device is an intravascular imaging component.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the intravascular imaging component includes at least one of an ultrasound transducer and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging element.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second connection piece is translatable relative to the first connection piece between the open and closed positions.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first connection piece includes at least one opening and the second connection piece includes at least one projection for movably engaging the at least one opening of the first connection piece such that the at least one opening guides translation of the first connection piece relative to the second connection piece.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the second connection piece is pivotable relative to the first connection piece between the open and closed positions.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes at least one element that is configured to remove fluid from a surface of the intravascular device when the second connection piece is moved between the open position and the closed position.

17. A connector for an intravascular device, comprising:

a first connection piece having a recess and an alignment feature positioned adjacent the recess, wherein the recess is sized and shaped to receive a proximal connection portion of an intravascular device and the alignment feature is configured to engage a section of the proximal connection portion having a reduced diameter;

a second connection piece movably coupled to the first connection piece; and

at least one electrical contact secured to the second connection piece;

wherein the second connection piece is movable relative to the first connection piece between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the second connection piece is spaced from the recess of the first connection piece to allow insertion of the proximal connection portion of the intravascular device into the recess in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device and wherein in the closed position the second connection piece is positioned such that the at least one electrical contact extends at least partially across the recess of the first connection piece.

18. The connector of claim 17, further comprising a bias element that urges the first and second connection pieces towards the closed position.

19. The connector of claim 17, wherein the at least one electrical contact comprises a split open comb electrical contact.

20. The connector of claim 17, wherein the second connection piece is translatable relative to the first connection piece between the open and closed positions.

21. The connector of claim 17, wherein the second connection piece is pivotable relative to the first connection piece between the open and closed positions.

22. The connector of claim 17, further comprising at least one element configured to remove fluid from a surface of the proximal connection portion of the intravascular device when the second connection piece is moved between the open position and the closed position.

23. A method, comprising:

providing a connector having a first component, a second component, and at least one electrical contact;

moving the connector to an open position such an elongated opening of the second component of the connector is exposed;

inserting a connection portion of an intravascular device into the elongated opening in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device such that an alignment feature of the second connection piece engages a first section of the connection portion having a diameter less than a second section of the connection portion adjacent to the first section; and

moving the connector to a closed position to electrically couple the at least one electrical contact of the connector to at least one electrical contact of the connection portion of the intravascular device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein engagement of the alignment feature of the second connection piece with the first section of the connection portion aligns at least one electrical contact of the connection portion of the intravascular device with the at least one electrical contact of the connector.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one electrical contact of the connection portion of the intravascular device is electrically connected to an electronic component positioned at a distal portion of the intravascular device.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein moving the connector to a closed position passes an element across a surface of the intravascular device to remove fluid from the surface.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the connection portion of the intravascular device includes at least two electrical contacts and wherein the surface of the intravascular device is a surface of a non-conductive material positioned between two of the at least two electrical contacts.