Standalone flex circuit for intravascular imaging device and associated devices, systems, and methods

An intravascular imaging device comprising:

• a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising:
• a proximal portion and a distal portion along a longitudinal direction;
• an outer surface and an inner surface along a radial direction;
• an imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, wherein the imaging assembly comprises a flex circuit,
• wherein the flex circuit comprises:
• a length along the longitudinal direction;
• an outer surface and an inner surface along the radial direction;
• a plurality of transducers;
• and
• a plurality of controllers in communication with the plurality of transducers,
• wherein the flex circuit encircles the outer surface of the flexible elongate member at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member such that:
• the inner surface of the flex circuit forms a lumen of the intravascular imaging device;
• the distal portion of the flexible elongate member is disposed inside of the lumen and the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member is not disposed inside of the lumen;
• the outer surface of the flexible elongate member at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member faces the inner surface of the flex circuit;
• the entire length of the flex circuit is outside of the flexible elongate member in the radial direction at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member;
• the plurality of transducers and the plurality of controllers are outside of the flexible elongate member in the radial direction at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member;
• the flex circuit is an outermost component of the intravascular imaging device in the radial direction at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member;
• and
• the flexible elongate member is the outermost component of the intravascular imaging device proximal of the flex circuit.