Side-Loading Connectors for Use With Intravascular Devices and Associated Systems and Methods

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guidewire, comprising:
 a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a mounting structure positioned within a flexible element coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the mounting structure configured to have at least one sensing component mounted thereto;   at least one sensing component mounted to the mounting structure;   a proximal core fixedly attached to the mounting structure and extending proximally from the mounting structure;   wherein the flexible elongate member and the flexible element each have an outer diameter of 0.035″ or less.   
     
     
         2 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible element comprises a ribbon coil. 
     
     
         3 . The guidewire of  claim 2 , wherein the ribbon coil is embedded in a polymer tubing, the polymer tubing having a thickness between about 0.0005″ and about 0.003″. 
     
     
         4 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal core includes a first section that is fixedly attached to the mounting structure and a second section extending proximally from the first section, wherein the first section is formed of a first material and the second section is formed of a second material different than the first material. 
     
     
         5 . The guidewire of  claim 4 , wherein the proximal core further includes a third section extending proximally from the second section, wherein the third section is formed of a third material different than the second material. 
     
     
         6 . The guidewire of  claim 5 , wherein the third material is the same as the first material. 
     
     
         7 . The guidewire of  claim 5 , wherein the first material is a shape memory alloy, the second material is stainless steel, and the third material is a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensing component mounted to the mounting structure includes at least one electronic component and wherein the guidewire further includes at least one conductor having a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the distal section of the at least one conductor is coupled to the at least one electronic component and the proximal section of the at least one conductor is coupled to at least one conductive element, wherein the at least one conductor has a non-circular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         9 . The guidewire of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one conductor has a rounded, rectangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         10 . The guidewire of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one conductor consists of three conductors and the at least one conductive element consists of three conductive elements. 
     
     
         11 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductive element comprises a coil. 
     
     
         12 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , wherein a wire forming the coil has a rectangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         13 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , wherein a wire forming the coil has a circular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         14 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , wherein a wire forming the coil has a semi-circular cross-sectional profile with a rounded portion of the semi-circular cross-sectional profile extending outwardly. 
     
     
         15 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , wherein a wire forming the coil has a semi-circular cross-sectional profile with a rounded portion of the semi-circular cross-sectional profile extending inwardly. 
     
     
         16 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal section of the at least one conductor is soldered to an inner portion of the coil. 
     
     
         17 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , wherein the coil is at least partially embedded within a polymer tubing. 
     
     
         18 . The guidewire of  claim 11 , further comprising an insulating layer positioned between the coil and a proximal portion of the core. 
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a guidewire, comprising:
 providing a polymer tubing having a conductive coil embedded therein;   removing a first portion of the polymer tubing to expose a first portion of the conductive coil;   electrically coupling a proximal portion of a first conductor to the first portion of the conductive coil, wherein a distal portion of the first conductor is coupled to at least one sensing component.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein electrically coupling the proximal portion of the first conductor to the first portion of the conductive coil comprises soldering the first portion of the first conductor to the first portion of the conductive coil. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein removing the first portion of the polymer tubing comprises laser ablating the polymer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer is ablated such that the first portion of the conductive coil extends between about 0.0001″ and about 0.0005″ above the polymer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 removing a second portion of the polymer tubing to expose a second portion of the conductive coil; and   electrically coupling a proximal portion of a second conductor to the second portion of the conductive coil, wherein a distal portion of the second conductor is coupled to at least one sensing component.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 electrically isolating the first portion of the conductive coil from the second portion of the conductive coil.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein electrically isolating the first portion of the conductive coil from the second portion of the conductive coil comprises forming an opening in a sidewall of the polymer tubing that severs a portion of the conductive coil positioned between the first and second portions of the conductive coil. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: coupling the polymer tubing to a proximal portion of an intravascular device.