# US 9,750,458 B2 · 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 9,750,458 B2 - Document ID: US9750458B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/167,568 - Filed: 2016-05-27 - Published: 2016-09-22 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-28 - Assignees: Volcano Corporation - Applicants: Volcano Corporation - Inventors: David H. Burkett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750458B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/6851: {Guide wires} - A61M 25/09: Guide wires - A61B 5/0215: by means inserted into the body - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61M 2025/0002: {with a pressure sensor at the distal end} - A61M 2025/09083: {having a coil around a core} - A61M 2025/09175: {having specific characteristics at the distal tip} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - 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 electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An intravascular system, comprising: an intravascular device, comprising: a first flexible element; a second flexible element coupled to the first flexible element in a position proximal to the first flexible element; a third flexible element coupled to the second flexible element in a position proximal to the second flexible element; a distal core extending within the first flexible element; a mounting structure positioned within the second flexible element and fixedly secured to the distal core; at least one sensing component mounted to the mounting structure; a proximal core fixedly attached to the mounting structure and extending proximally from the mounting structure through the second and third flexible elements; and at least one conductor having a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the distal section of the at least one conductor is coupled to the at least one sensing component and the proximal section of the at least one conductor is coupled to at least one connector; and a computing device in communication with the at least one sensing component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The intravascular system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is coupled to the at least one connector and in communication with the at least one sensing component via the at least one conductor and the at least one connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The intravascular system of claim 1, wherein the computing device receives data associated with a human vasculature from the at least one sensing component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The intravascular system of claim 3, wherein the computing device displays at least one of an image associated with the data. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The intravascular system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensing component is at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an imaging component, an optical fiber, or an ultrasound transducer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The intravascular system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensing component is at least one of an electronic component, an optical component or an electro-optical component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The intravascular system of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensing component is at least one of an optical component or an electro-optical component, and wherein the intravascular system further comprises: at least one optical fiber coupled to the at least one sensing component; and at least one optical connector coupled to the at least one optical fiber and in communication with the at least one sensing component and the computing device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The intravascular system of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector facilitates wireless communication between the computing device and the at least one sensing component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The intravascular device of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector comprises a coil. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The intravascular device of claim 8, wherein a wire forming the coil has a rectangular cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The intravascular device of claim 8, wherein a wire forming the coil has a circular cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The intravascular device of claim 8, wherein a wire forming the coil has a semi-circular cross-sectional profile with a rounded portion of the semi-circular cross-sectional profile extending outwardly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The intravascular device of claim 8, wherein a wire forming the coil has a semi-circular cross-sectional profile with a rounded portion of the semi-circular cross-sectional profile extending inwardly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The intravascular device of claim 8, wherein the proximal section of the at least one conductor is soldered to an inner portion of the coil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The intravascular device of claim 8, wherein the coil is at least partially embedded within a polymer tubing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The intravascular device of claim 1, wherein the proximal core includes a first section that is fixedly attached to the mounting structure and a second section extending proximally from the first section, wherein the first section is formed of a first material and the second section is formed of a second material different than the first material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The intravascular device of claim 16, wherein the proximal core further includes a third section extending proximally from the second section, wherein the third section is formed of a third material different than the second material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The intravascular device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor consists of three conductors and the at least one connector consists of three connectors. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The intravascular device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor has a non-circular cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The intravascular device of claim 19, wherein the at least one conductor has a rounded, rectangular cross-sectional profile.