Guidewire interconnecting apparatus

Abstract

A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connecter section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

1 .- 68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . A female coupler for an elongate medical device, the female coupler comprising:
 a body defining a longitudinal cavity, the cavity configured to receive a male coupler;   one or more electrical contacts positioned along the cavity so as to electrically couple with one or more electrical contacts on the male coupler; and   a magnetic shielding layer disposed radially around the one or more electrical contacts.   
     
     
         70 . The female coupler of  claim 69 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer comprises at least one of mu-metal or nickel-iron. 
     
     
         71 . The female coupler of  claim 70 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer comprises a tube. 
     
     
         72 . The female coupler of  claim 71 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer is disposed radially between an outer portion of the body and the one or more electrical contacts. 
     
     
         73 . The female coupler of  claim 69 , further comprising:
 at least two electrical contacts arranged along the cavity, wherein the magnetic shielding layer is disposed radially around the at least two electrical contacts.   
     
     
         74 . The female coupler of  claim 69 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer comprises a tube. 
     
     
         75 . The female coupler of  claim 69 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer is disposed radially between an outer portion of the body and the one or more electrical contacts. 
     
     
         76 . The female coupler of  claim 69 , further comprising at least one electrical wire coupled with a respective one of the one or more electrical contacts. 
     
     
         77 . The female coupler of  claim 76 , wherein the at least one electrical wire passes within the cavity. 
     
     
         78 . The female coupler of  claim 76 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer is configured to shield the at least one electrical wire from electromagnetic interference. 
     
     
         79 . A female coupler for a guidewire comprising:
 a disposable part including:
 a disposable tubular body having an open end and a closed end; 
 at least one conducting spring coupled with the disposable tubular body such that the at least one conducting spring has a first portion in contact with an inner wall of the disposable tubular body and a second portion in contact with an outer wall of the disposable tubular body; and 
   a non-disposable part including:
 a non-disposable tubular body defining a longitudinal cavity, the cavity configured to receive a male coupler; 
   at least one electrical contact positioned along the cavity so as to electrically couple with one or more electrical contacts on the male coupler; and   a magnetic shielding layer disposed radially around the one or more electrical contacts;
 wherein the disposable part is insertable into the non-disposable part; and 
 wherein the at least one conducting spring is in electrical contact with the at least one electrical contact when the disposable part is fully inserted into the non-disposable part. 
   
     
     
         80 . The female coupler of  claim 79 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer comprises at least one of mu-metal or nickel-iron. 
     
     
         81 . The female coupler of  claim 79 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer comprises a tube. 
     
     
         82 . The female coupler of  claim 79 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer is disposed radially between an outer portion of the non-disposable tubular body and the one or more electrical contacts. 
     
     
         83 . The female coupler of  claim 69 , further comprising at least one electrical wire coupled with a respective one of the at least one electrical contact. 
     
     
         84 . The female coupler of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one electrical wire passes within the cavity. 
     
     
         85 . The female coupler of  claim 83 , wherein the magnetic shielding layer is configured to shield the at least one electrical wire from electromagnetic interference. 
     
     
         86 . The female coupler of  claim 79 , wherein the disposable part further includes a sheath coupled with the open end of the disposable tubular body and extending towards the closed end of the disposable tubular body. 
     
     
         87 . The female coupler of  claim 86 , wherein the sheath includes at least one locking jut located at an end of the sheath toward the closed end of the disposable tubular body, the at least one locking jut configured to slide over the end of non-disposable tubular body, thereby locking disposable tubular body in non-disposable tubular body. 
     
     
         88 . The female coupler of  claim 79 , wherein the disposable part further includes a collet coupled with the open end of the disposable tubular body for securing the male coupler within the disposable tubular body.