Sensing guidewire with integrated proximal locking feature

Abstract

Intravascular devices, systems and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an intravascular system includes an intravascular guidewire that includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and a locking section integral with a metal core of the flexible elongate member at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member. The metal core has a first diameter. The locking section includes a first subsection and a second subsection. The first subsection has a second of diameter smaller than the first diameter and the second subsection transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular system, comprising:
 an intravascular guidewire, comprising:
 a flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the flexible elongate member further comprises a metal core, the metal core having a first diameter, 
 at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and 
 at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, a locking section integral with the metal core, 
 wherein the locking section comprises a first subsection and a second subsection, the first subsection having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the second subsection transitioning between the first diameter and the second diameter. 
   
     
     
         2 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion terminates at a proximal end, the proximal end comprising the first diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member further comprises a polymer layer over the metal core and a plurality of conductive ribbons embedded within the polymer layer. 
     
     
         4 . The intravascular system of  claim 3 , wherein the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member comprises an insulation layer formed over a proximal portion of the plurality of conductive ribbons, the insulation layer being distal to the locking section. 
     
     
         5 . The intravascular system of  claim 3 , wherein the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member comprises a conductive portion in communication with one of the plurality of conductive ribbons. 
     
     
         6 . The intravascular system of  claim 5 , wherein the conductive portion comprises a conductive ink. 
     
     
         7 . The intravascular system of  claim 5 , wherein the conductive portion comprises a metal ring. 
     
     
         8 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , wherein the metal core comprises an electrical ground for the electronic component. 
     
     
         9 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the locking section further comprises a third subsection,   wherein the first subsection is between the second subsection and the third subsection,   wherein the second subsection includes a first taper, a distal end of the first taper having the second diameter and a proximal end of the first taper having the first diameter, and   wherein the third subsection includes a second taper, a distal end of the second taper having the first diameter and a proximal end of the second taper having the second diameter.   
     
     
         10 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connector for coupling to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, the connector including a locking clip comprising a slit sized and shaped to receive the locking section of the flexible elongate member.   
     
     
         11 . The intravascular system of  claim 10 , wherein the locking clip comprises a top portion tilting proximally at a tilt angle. 
     
     
         12 . A method of fabricating an intravascular guidewire, comprising:
 providing a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a metal core and a polymer layer over the metal core, the metal core having a first diameter;   securing at least one electronic component to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and   forming a locking section in the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member by machining around a circumference of the flexible elongate member to remove a portion of the polymer layer and a portion of the metal core in the locking section.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible elongate member further comprises a plurality of conductive ribbons embedded within the polymer layer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming the locking section further comprises machining around a circumference of the flexible elongate member to remove a portion of the plurality of conductive ribbons in the locking section. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 forming an insulation layer over a proximal portion of the plurality of conductive ribbons, the insulation layer being distal to the locking section.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 removing a portion of the polymer layer over a conductive portion of the flexible elongate member such that one of the plurality of conductive ribbons is exposed, the conductive portion being adjacent to the locking section; and   forming a conductive layer over the exposed conductive ribbon.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a conductive ink. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a metal ring. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 machining a first subsection of the locking section until the first subsection has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and   machining a second subsection such that the second subsection transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter.