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 . An intravascular system, comprising:
 an intravascular guidewire comprising:
 a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a blood vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; 
 a physiological sensor disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; 
 a conductive material disposed at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member; and 
 an electrical conductor extending along a length of the flexible elongate member between the physiological sensor and the conductive material, wherein the conductive material is communication with the physiological sensor via the electrical conductor; and 
   a connector configured to attach to the proximal portion of the intravascular guidewire, wherein the connector comprises:
 an electrical contact configured to form an electrical coupling with the conductive material; and 
 an indicator configured to represent a state of the electrical coupling. 
   
     
     
         2 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator configured to provide a visual signal to represent the state of the electrical coupling. 
     
     
         3 . The intravascular system of  claim 2 , wherein the visual indicator comprises a light. 
     
     
         4 . The intravascular system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being a full electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the light is configured to illuminate a first color; and   wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being no electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the light is configured to provide no illumination.   
     
     
         5 . The intravascular system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being a full electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the light is configured to illuminate a first color;   wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being no electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the light is configured to illuminate a second color; and   wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being a partial electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the light is configured to illuminate a third color.   
     
     
         6 . The intravascular system of  claim 5 , wherein the second color is the same as the third color. 
     
     
         7 . The intravascular system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being a full electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the visual indicator is configured to display a first symbol;   wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being no electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the visual indicator is configured to display a second symbol; and   wherein, responsive to the state of electrical coupling being a partial electrical connection between the electrical contact and the conductive material, the visual indicator is configured to display a third symbol.   
     
     
         8 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises an audio indicator configured to provide an audio signal to represent the state of the electrical coupling. 
     
     
         9 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is configured to represent the state of the electrical coupling with both an audio signal and a visual signal. 
     
     
         10 . The intravascular system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the intravascular guidewire comprises:
 an additional conductive material disposed at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member; and 
 an additional electrical conductor, 
   wherein the additional conductive material is in communication with the physiological sensor via an additional electrical conductor, and   wherein the connector comprises an additional electrical contact configured to form an additional electrical coupling with the additional conductive material.   
     
     
         11 . The intravascular system of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator is configured to represent the state of the electrical coupling and a state of the additional electrical coupling. 
     
     
         12 . The intravascular system of  claim 10 , wherein the connector comprises an additional indicator, wherein the additional indicator is configured to represent a state of the additional electrical coupling.