Catheter with integrated controller for imaging and pressure sensing

Abstract

An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device that includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a controller coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; an ultrasound transducer disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member and in communication with the controller; a pressure transducer disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member and in communication with the controller; and plurality of conductors extending from the controller to the proximal portion of the catheter, at least one conductor of the plurality of conductors being configured to carry both the signals representing information captured by the ultrasound transducer and information captured by the pressure transducer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an intravascular catheter configured to be positioned within a blood vessel of a patient,   wherein the intravascular catheter comprises:
 a flexible drive shaft configured to be rotated; and 
 a sensing assembly coupled to a distal portion of the flexible drive shaft, and wherein the sensing assembly comprises:
 a housing; 
 a single ultrasound transducer element; and 
 a single pressure sensor. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein single ultrasound transducer element and the single pressure sensor are oriented in different directions. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the single pressure sensor is positioned distal of the single ultrasound transducer element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the single pressure sensor forms a distal-facing surface of the sensing assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the housing comprises a nose with a rounded portion,   wherein the rounded portion is interrupted by a cutout,   wherein the pressure sensor is positioned proximate to the cutout.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing assembly further comprises an adhesive disposed within the housing and in contact with the single ultrasound transducer element and a single pressure sensor is mounted on the adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the sensing assembly further comprises at least one lead coupled to the single pressure sensor and configured carry signals associated with single pressure sensor,   wherein the adhesive is in contact with the at least one lead.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sensing assembly further comprises at least one lead coupled to the single pressure sensor and configured carry signals associated with single pressure sensor,   wherein the at least one lead is positioned within the housing.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one lead extends only within the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one lead extends around the single ultrasound transducer element. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the single ultrasound transducer element comprises a first surface and an opposite, second surface,   wherein the first surface is configured to emit an ultrasound beam, and   wherein the at least one lead extends proximate to the second surface.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensing assembly further comprises:
 a controller configured for communication to the single pressure sensor via the least one lead.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one lead extends lengthwise within the housing between the controller and the single pressure sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the controller comprises a first bond pad configured to establish the communication with the single pressure sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 ,
 wherein the controller is configured for communication with the single ultrasound transducer element,   wherein the controller comprises a second bond pad configured to establish the communication with the single ultrasound transducer element.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the intravascular catheter further comprises a sheath,   wherein the sensing assembly is positioned within the sheath, and   wherein the sheath comprises at least one of an open end or an aperture such that a pressure measured by the pressure sensing within the sheath is indicative of a pressure outside of the sheath.