Ultrasonic imaging catheter assembly and method for identification of the same

An ultrasonic imaging catheter system comprising:

• a catheter assembly including an elongate tubular assembly, having distal and proximal ends, and an imaging assembly at the distal end;
• and
• means, removably coupled to the catheter assembly, for monitoring and controlling the imaging assembly;
• wherein the catheter assembly includes a digital ID circuit means for providing the monitoring and controlling means with a digital ID to identify the catheter assembly, wherein the digital ID to circuit means includes a common terminal and a first signal terminal connected by one of the following:
• an open circuit;
• a short circuit;
• a first ID diode with the cathode of the first ID diode towards the common terminal;
• or a first ID diode with the cathode of the first ID diode towards the first signal terminal.

An ultrasonic imaging catheter identification system for use with an ultrasonic imaging catheter assembly of the type including an elongate tubular assembly, having proximal and distal ends, and an imaging assembly at the distal end of the tubular assembly, the identification system comprising:

• a digital identification circuit carried by the catheter assembly including a plurality of ID terminals and circuit means for electrically coupling the ID terminals according to the identification of the catheter assembly, wherein the circuit includes:
• (a) a common ID terminal;
• (b) first and second signal terminals;
• (c) first means for connecting the common ID terminal to the first signal terminal by one of the following:
• a short circuit;
• an open circuit;
• a diode with the cathode of the diode towards the common ID terminal;
• the diode with the cathode towards the first signal terminal;
• and
• (d) second means for connecting the common ID terminal to the second signal terminal by one of the following:
• a short circuit;
• an open circuit;
• a second diode with the cathode of the second diode towards the common ID terminal;
• the second diode with the cathode of the second diode towards the second signal terminal;
• and
• means, having output terminals and having input terminals coupleable to the ID terminals, for creating a binary signal at the output terminals corresponding to the identification of the catheter assembly.

A method for identifying an ultrasonic imaging catheter assembly by type comprising the following steps:

• providing a catheter assembly with a digital ID circuit having at least first and second terminals, the first and second terminals connected by one of the following:
• an open circuit;
• a short circuit;
• a first ID diode with the cathode of the first ID diode towards the first terminal;
• the first ID diode with the cathode of the first ID diode towards the second terminal;
• applying an oscillating signal to the first terminal;
• coupling the first and second terminals to a digital sensing circuit having first and second digital outputs, the digital sensing circuit providing four different digital signal combinations at the digital outputs according to how the first and second terminals are connected;
• and
• monitoring the digital signals of at least the first and second digital outputs to identify the ultrasonic imaging catheter.