Sensor mounted flexible guidewire

Abstract

A medical device comprising a corewire, sensor core, and coupler is presented. A portion of the corewire is disposed within a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core is disposed within a second end. Alternatively, the device comprises a corewire and a sensor assembly comprising a sensor core having first and second ends and a bore in the first end. A portion of the corewire is disposed within the bore. A method of manufacture comprises providing a corewire, sensor core, and coupler. The method further comprises inserting a portion of the corewire into a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core into a second end. Alternatively, the method comprises providing a sensor core having first and second ends, and a corewire. The method further comprises forming a bore in the first end, and inserting the corewire into the bore.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A medical device comprising:
 a corewire comprising a distal portion; and   a position sensor coupled to the distal portion of the corewire, the position sensor configured to produce an electrical signal indicative of a characteristic of a magnetic field in which the position sensor is disposed.   
     
     
         25 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the position sensor is a coil sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a strength and orientation of the magnetic field. 
     
     
         27 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein a processor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the position sensor; and wherein the processor is configured to determine a position and orientation of the position sensor based on the received electrical signal. 
     
     
         28 . The medical device of  claim 24 , further comprising a tubular spring placed around the distal portion of the corewire. 
     
     
         29 . The medical device of  claim 24 , further comprising a non-traumatic plug coupled with the distal portion of the corewire. 
     
     
         30 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the corewire further comprises a proximal portion and an intermediate portion; wherein the proximal portion has a first outer diameter, the intermediate portion has a second outer diameter, and the distal portion has a third outer diameter; and wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter and the second diameter is greater than the third diameter. 
     
     
         31 . The medical device of  claim 30 , wherein the proximal portion has a first wall thickness, the intermediate portion has a second wall thickness, and the distal portion has a third wall thick ness; and wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness and the second wall thickness is greater than the third wall thickness. 
     
     
         32 . The medical device of  claim 30 , wherein the medical device comprises a guidewire, wherein the guidewire includes a tubular proximal end, and wherein the proximal portion of the corewire is inserted into the tubular proximal end of the guidewire. 
     
     
         33 . A medical device comprising:
 a corewire comprising a distal portion; and   a coil sensor coupled to the distal portion of the corewire, the coil sensor configured to produce an electrical signal indicative of a characteristic of a magnetic field in which the coil sensor is disposed.   
     
     
         34 . The medical device of  claim 33 , wherein the coil sensor is a position sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The medical device of  claim 33 , wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a strength and orientation of the magnetic field. 
     
     
         36 . The medical device of  claim 33 , wherein a processor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the coil sensor; and wherein the processor is configured to determine a position and orientation of the coil sensor based on the received electrical signal. 
     
     
         37 . The medical device of  claim 33 , further comprising a sensor core upon which the coil sensor is mounted. 
     
     
         38 . The medical device of  claim 37 , wherein the sensor core comprises a metallic material. 
     
     
         39 . The medical device of  claim 37 , wherein the corewire further comprises a proximal portion with a first outer diameter; wherein the sensor core has a second outer diameter; and wherein the first and second outer diameters are substantially equal. 
     
     
         40 . The medical device of  claim 37 , wherein the sensor core comprises a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. 
     
     
         41 . The medical device of  claim 40 , wherein the sensor core includes a bore disposed within the proximal end. 
     
     
         42 . The medical device of  claim 39 , wherein the bore is configured to receive the distal portion of the corewire. 
     
     
         43 . The medical device of  claim 38 , further comprising a second corewire coupled with the distal end of the sensor core.