Intravascular ultrasound imaging system with slip ring interface and associated devices, systems, and methods

An interface module for an intravascular ultrasound imaging system, the interface module comprising:

• a connector rotatably coupled to a transducer shaft of an intravascular device, the intravascular device comprising an ultrasound transducer and a first electronic component positioned at a distal end of the transducer shaft;
• a motor coupled to the connector;
• a spinning element coupled to the motor, wherein the spinning element comprises four conductive rings;
• a stationary element comprising a plurality of brushes, wherein the stationary element is disposed proximate the spinning element such that a different one of the plurality of brushes is in mechanical contact with each of the four conductive rings;
• a second electronic component in electrical communication with the intravascular device and coupled to the stationary element;
• and
• four conductors coupled to the connector and the spinning element such that the stationary element and the intravascular device are in electrical communication,
• wherein the stationary element is configured to receive AC return signals representative of ultrasound data from the ultrasound transducer via at least a first conductor of the four conductors, and to transmit DC signals supplied by the interface module to the first electronic component via at least a second conductor of the four conductors, and
• wherein the second electronic component is configured to perform signal processing on the received AC return signals and output the processed AC return signals.

An interface module for an intravascular ultrasound device, the interface module comprising:

• a connector rotatably coupled to a transducer shaft of the intravascular ultrasound device, the intravascular ultrasound device comprising an ultrasound transducer and a first electronic component positioned at a distal end of the transducer shaft;
• a motor coupled to the connector such that the connector rotates when the motor is activated, wherein the motor comprises a hollow shaft extending therethrough;
• a slip ring assembly coupled to the motor, wherein the slip ring assembly includes a plurality of conductive rings and a plurality of brushes, wherein each of the plurality of brushes are in mechanical contact with at least one of the plurality of conductive rings, and wherein the slip ring assembly is coupled to the motor such that the plurality of conductive rings rotates when the motor is activated;
• a second electronic component in electrical communication with the intravascular ultrasound device;
• and
• a plurality of conductors at least partially disposed within the hollow shaft, wherein the plurality of conductors electrically couple the connector and the plurality of conductive rings,
• wherein the slip ring assembly is configured to receive AC return signals representative of ultrasound data from the ultrasound transducer via at least a first conductor of the plurality of conductors, and to transmit DC signals supplied by the interface module to the first electronic component via at least a second conductor of the plurality of conductors,
• wherein the second electronic component is configured to perform signal processing on the received AC return signals and output the processed AC return signals.