# US 9,750,418 B2 · Pressure-sensing intravascular devices, systems, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,418 B2 - Document ID: US9750418B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/133,348 - Filed: 2013-12-18 - Published: 2014-06-26 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-21 - Assignees: Volcano Corporation - Applicants: Volcano Corporation - Inventors: Bret C. Millett; David H. Burkett; Paul Douglas Corl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750418B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/0215: by means inserted into the body - A61B 5/6851: {Guide wires} - A61B 5/0066: {Optical coherence imaging} - A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)} - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction} - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An intravascular sensor assembly comprising: a flexible elongate member; a core member disposed inside the flexible elongate member; an electrical conductor extending along the core member; and an elongated substrate disposed distal to the core member and inside the flexible elongate member, the elongated substrate comprising: a plurality of electrodes disposed within the elongated substrate and extending through the elongated substrate in a longitudinal direction, the plurality of electrodes being uniformly distributed around a longitudinal axis (LA) of the elongated substrate, wherein the electrical conductor is coupled to at least one electrode; and a sensor circuit disposed on a distal surface of the elongated substrate, the sensor circuit coupled to at least one electrode, wherein the sensor circuit comprises an intravascular pressure sensor circuit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises three electrodes configured to be coupled to three different terminals of the sensor circuit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the flexible elongate member comprises at least one through hole at a distal end so as to expose the sensor circuit to an intravascular ambient. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated substrate has a substantially cylindrical shape with the cylindrical axis along the LA. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated substrate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, a silicon-germanium alloy, silica, quartz, sapphire, a ceramic material, a plastic material, and a combination thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cable along the core member between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the cable including the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode on a proximal surface of the elongated substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the sensor circuit comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The intravascular sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated substrate is bonded to the core member using an adhesive selected from the group consisting of urethane acrylate, cyanoacrylate, silicone, epoxy, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 9 A sensor structure for use in an intravascular device assembly, the sensor structure comprising: a substrate comprising an elongated shape with a length defined along a longitudinal axis (LA) and a width extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the shape further comprising: a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, each extending substantially perpendicular to the LA; and an outer surface extending substantially parallel to the LA; a plurality of electrodes disposed within the substrate and extending longitudinally through the substrate, the plurality of electrodes being uniformly distributed around the LA, wherein at least one electrode is coupled to an electrical conductor of the intravascular device assembly; and a sensor circuit disposed on the distal surface, the sensor circuit comprising at least one lead coupled to at least one electrode, wherein the sensor circuit comprises an intravascular pressure sensor circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sensor structure of claim 9 wherein the substrate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, a silicon-germanium alloy, quartz, glass, sapphire, a ceramic material, a plastic material, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The sensor structure of claim 9 wherein at least one electrode extends from the distal surface to the proximal surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The sensor structure of claim 9 wherein at least one electrode extends from the distal surface towards the proximal surface such that a proximal end of the electrode is spaced distally from the proximal surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The sensor structure of claim 9 wherein the sensor circuit is bonded to the distal surface in a flip chip configuration. ### Claim 14 A system for performing measurements using a sensor exposed to an intravascular environment, the system comprising: an intravascular device comprising: a flexible elongate member; a core member disposed inside the flexible elongate member; an electrical conductor extending along the core member; and an elongated substrate disposed distal to the core member and inside the flexible elongate member, the elongated substrate comprising: a plurality of electrodes disposed within the elongated substrate and extending through the elongated substrate in a longitudinal direction, the plurality of electrodes uniformly distributed around a longitudinal axis (LA) of the elongated substrate, wherein the electrical conductor is coupled to at least one electrode; and a sensor circuit disposed on a distal surface of the elongated substrate, the sensor circuit coupled to at least one electrode, wherein the sensor circuit comprises an intravascular pressure sensor circuit; and a control console coupled to the intravascular device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 further comprising an interface device positioned between the control console and the intravascular device, wherein the interface device provides power to the sensor circuit and processes a signal from the sensor circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the interface device comprises an analog to digital converting circuit to provide a digital signal to the console. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the control console outputs a graph of a blood pressure along a longitudinal axis in the intravascular environment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the elongated substrate has a substantially cylindrical shape with the cylindrical axis along the LA. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein the elongated substrate is bonded to the core member using an adhesive.