Pressure sensor calibration systems and methods

Abstract

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated member and the system includes components to process the output signals according to various calibration parameters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular sensing system, comprising:
 an intravascular catheter or guide wire configured to be positioned within a blood vessel, wherein intravascular catheter or guide wire comprises an intravascular sensor configured to generate a sensor signal; and   one or more cables configured to extend between a signal processing system and the intravascular catheter or guide wire such that only the one or more cables communicatively couple the signal processing system and the intravascular catheter or guide wire, wherein the one or more cables comprises a connector, wherein the connector comprises:
 a connector housing; 
 a memory disposed within the connector housing, wherein the memory stores a calibration coefficient for the intravascular sensor; and 
 a processor disposed within the connector housing, wherein the processor configured to:
 receive the sensor signal from the intravascular sensor; 
 read the calibration coefficient from the memory; 
 calibrate the sensor signal based on the calibration coefficient such that the sensor signal is calibrated within the one or more cables during use of the intravascular catheter or guide wire; and 
 output the calibrated sensor signal from the connector to the signal processing system. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises an analog read only memory. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the memory comprises resistors. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to translate the calibration coefficient to a digital format for delivery to the signal processing system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises at least one of an analog to digital converter or a multiplexer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises an I2C interface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the intravascular sensor comprises at least one of an electrical, electronic, piezoelectric, mechanical, electromechanical, optical, or electro-optical sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the intravascular sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, an imaging element, an ultrasound transducer, a reflector, a mirror, a prism, an ablation element, or an RF electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the calibration coefficient comprises at least one of a pressure sensitivity, a zero-pressure offset, or a temperature compensation coefficient. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processing system is configured to receive a plurality of stored calibration information in a calibration database, and to identify the calibration coefficient for the intravascular sensor from the calibration database based on a unique identifier associated with the intravascular sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the memory stores the unique identifier comprising at least one of a serial number or a model number. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises programmable current sources to implement a temperature compensation calibration. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more cables comprises a first cable and a second cable, wherein the connector connects the first cable and the second cable. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the signal processing system.