Intravascular devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular device, comprising:
 a guidewire comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the guidewire further comprising a metallic inner core and an outer insulating layer surrounding and directly contacting the metallic inner core, wherein the metallic inner core is configured to facilitate handling for the guidewire inside a vessel;   a plurality of conductors embedded in the outer insulating layer, wherein the outer insulating layer comprises a plurality of openings exposing portions of the plurality of conductors;   a connector disposed at the proximal portion of the guidewire and comprising a plurality of conductive sections positioned over the exposed portions of the plurality of conductors; and   a sensor coupled to the distal portion of the guidewire and electrically coupled to the connector via the plurality of conductors.   
     
     
         2 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein a first thickness of the metallic inner core is greater than a second thickness of the outer insulating layer. 
     
     
         3 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductors extends longitudinally and straight. 
     
     
         4 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductors extends helically around the guidewire. 
     
     
         5 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of each of the plurality of conductors is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive section. 
     
     
         6 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of openings are disposed at different longitudinal positions and spaced from one another, and   each of the plurality of conductors is electrically coupled to a single corresponding conductive section via a corresponding opening in the outer insulating layer, wherein at least one conductive section encircles the plurality of conductors at the proximal portion of the guidewire.   
     
     
         7 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of conductors comprises a first conductor and a second conductor electrically coupled to the sensor, and   the plurality of conductive sections comprises a first conductive section at a first longitudinal position and electrically coupled to the first conductor, and a second conductive section at a different second longitudinal position and electrically coupled to the second conductor.   
     
     
         8 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of conductors comprises a ribbon conductor having a flat surface. 
     
     
         9 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the guidewire terminates at a proximal end, wherein the connector further comprises a proximal end member at the proximal end of the guidewire, and wherein a proximal-most conductive section of the plurality of conductive sections is spaced from the proximal end of the guidewire by the proximal end member. 
     
     
         10 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer insulating layer comprises a single layer insulating:
 the plurality of conductors and the plurality of conductive sections from the metallic inner core;   the plurality of conductors from one another; and   the plurality of conductive sections from one another.   
     
     
         11 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the conductive sections comprises a conductive band formed of a metallic material. 
     
     
         12 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein each opening of the plurality of openings extends in a circumferential direction for only a portion of a circumference of the guidewire. 
     
     
         13 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The intravascular device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a flow sensor.