# US 11,076,765 B2 · FFR sensor head design that minimizes stress induced pressure offsets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,765 B2 - Document ID: US11076765B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/341,374 - Filed: 2014-07-25 - Published: 2015-01-29 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-26 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Roger W. McGowan; Gregory Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076765B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/02154: {by optical transmission} - A61B 5/0215: by means inserted into the body - G01L 11/025: {using a pressure-sensitive optical fibre} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract A pressure sensing medical device may include a guidewire including a tubular member having a lumen, the tubular member being translatable between a generally straightened position and a deflected position, and a pressure sensor attached at a distal end of a fiber optic extending within the lumen, the pressure sensor being disposed within a distal portion of the tubular member. The pressure sensor may include a pressure-sensitive membrane disposed on a distal end thereof. The pressure sensor may include one or more contact members capable of providing a contact point between the contact member and an inner surface of the tubular member when in the deflected position, the contact point being axially spaced apart from the membrane along a longitudinal axis of the pressure sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure sensing medical device, comprising: a guidewire including an elongate tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough; and an optical pressure sensor attached at a distal end of a fiber optic extending longitudinally within the lumen, the pressure sensor being disposed within a distal portion of the tubular member; wherein the pressure sensor includes a sensor head having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end disposed adjacent to the distal end of the fiber optic; wherein the pressure sensor further includes a contact member attached to the outer surface of the sensor head at a position between the proximal end and the distal end of the sensor head, the contact member being capable of providing one or more distinct contact points between the contact member and an inner surface of the tubular member, the one or more distinct contact points being axially spaced apart from a distal end of the pressure sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 1, including at least one attachment member fixedly attaching the fiber optic to the tubular member within the distal portion, the at least one attachment member being proximally spaced apart from the pressure sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 1, wherein the contact member is spaced apart from the inner surface of the tubular member in a generally straightened position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 1, wherein the contact member is disposed about the sensor head. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 1, wherein the contact member extends outward from the sensor head. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 1, wherein the contact member is integrally formed with the sensor head from a single monolithic piece of material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 6, wherein the contact member is formed as a step adjacent the distal end of the pressure sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 6, wherein the contact member is formed as one or more protrusions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 6, wherein the contact member is formed as an inward taper from the contact point distally toward the distal end of the pressure sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 9, wherein the inward taper forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the pressure sensor of less than about 45 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 9, wherein the inward taper forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the pressure sensor of more than about 45 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 1, wherein the contact member is separately formed from the pressure sensor and subsequently fixedly attached thereto. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 12, wherein the contact member is formed as a tubular sleeve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 12, wherein the contact member is formed as an annular ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 12, wherein the contact member is formed as one or more protrusions. ### Claim 16 A pressure sensing medical device, comprising: a guidewire including an elongate tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough, the tubular member being movable between a generally straightened position and a deflected position; and an optical pressure sensor attached at a distal end of a fiber optic extending longitudinally within the lumen, the pressure sensor being disposed within a distal portion of the tubular member; wherein the optical pressure sensor includes a sensor head having and a deflectable membrane coupled to a distal end region of the sensor head; wherein the sensor head has a proximal end disposed adjacent to the distal end of the fiber optic; wherein the pressure sensor further includes one or more contact members coupled to an outer surface of the sensor head at a position between the distal end region and the proximal end of the sensor head, the one or more contact members being capable of providing one or more distinct contact points between the one or more contact members and an inner surface of the tubular member when in the deflected position, the one or more distinct contact points being axially spaced apart from the membrane along a longitudinal axis of the pressure sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 16, wherein the one or more contact members extends outward from the pressure sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 16, wherein the one or more contact members is integrally formed with the pressure sensor from a single monolithic piece of material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The pressure sensing medical device of claim 18, wherein the one or more contact members is formed as an inward taper from the contact point distally toward the distal end of the pressure sensor. ### Claim 20 A pressure sensing medical device, comprising: a guidewire including an elongate tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough, the tubular member being movable between a generally straightened position and a deflected position; and an optical pressure sensor attached at a distal end of a fiber optic extending longitudinally within the lumen, the pressure sensor being disposed within a distal portion of the tubular member; wherein the pressure sensor includes a sensor head and a pressure-sensitive membrane disposed on a distal end of the sensor head; wherein the sensor head has a proximal end disposed adjacent to the distal end of the fiber optic; wherein the pressure sensor further includes one or more contact members secured to an exterior surface of the sensor head at a position between the distal end and the proximal end of the sensor head, the one or more contact members being capable of providing one or more distinct contact points between the one or more contact members and an inner surface of the tubular member when in the deflected position such that the membrane is spaced apart from the inner surface, the one or more distinct contact points being axially spaced apart from the membrane along a longitudinal axis of the pressure sensor.