Intraluminal imaging device with wire interconnection for imaging assembly

Abstract

An intraluminal imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a lumen within a body of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis; an imaging assembly coupled to the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly comprising: a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements disposed around the longitudinal axis of the flexible elongate member; a plurality of controllers configured to control the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements to obtain imaging data associated with the lumen; and a plurality of electrical wires extending between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer elements and the plurality of controllers and configured to facilitate communication between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer elements and the plurality of controllers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter comprising:
 a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a blood vessel and comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion, and a distal portion; 
 a first flexible substrate positioned at the distal portion and comprising an ultrasound transducer array, wherein the first flexible substrate comprises a cylindrical configuration such that the ultrasound transducer array is positioned around the longitudinal axis; 
 a second flexible substrate spaced from the first flexible substrate along a length of the IVUS catheter, wherein the second flexible substrate comprises a plurality of integrated circuit chips, wherein the second flexible substrate comprises the cylindrical configuration such that the plurality of integrated circuit chips is positioned around the longitudinal axis; and 
 a plurality of electrical wires extending between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer array and the plurality of integrated circuit chips, wherein the plurality of electrical wires is separate from the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a quantity of ultrasound transducer elements in the ultrasound transducer array equals a quantity of the plurality of electrical wires. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first flexible substrate comprises:
 a first plurality of connection pads; and 
 a first plurality of conductive traces extending between the first plurality of connection pads and the ultrasound transducer array, 
   wherein the plurality of electrical wires is separate from the first plurality of conductive traces.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein ultrasound transducer elements in the ultrasound transducer array and the first plurality of connection pads comprise a one-to-one relationship. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the second flexible substrate comprises:
 a second plurality of connection pads; and 
 a second plurality of conductive traces extending between the second plurality of connection pads and the plurality of integrated circuit chips, 
   wherein the plurality of electrical wires is separate from the second plurality of conductive traces.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of integrated circuit chips and the second plurality of connection pads comprise a one-to-multiple relationship. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a first end of the plurality of electrical wires is coupled to the first plurality of connection pads and an opposite, second end of the plurality of electrical wires is coupled to the second plurality of connection pads. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the IVUS catheter further comprises a support member around which the first flexible substrate is positioned,   wherein the support member defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire,   wherein the support member is positioned completely distal of the second flexible substrate along the length of the IVUS catheter such that the second flexible substrate is not positioned around the support member.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second flexible substrate is positioned at the proximal portion, and   wherein the plurality of electrical wires extend between the proximal portion and the distal portion.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a central portion positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion,   wherein the second flexible substrate is positioned at the central portion, and   wherein the plurality of electrical wires extend between the central portion and the distal portion.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the IVUS catheter further comprises:
 a connector positioned at the proximal portion; and 
 a plurality of conductors extending between the connector and the second flexible substrate, 
   wherein the plurality of conductors is separate from the first flexible substrate, the second flexible substrate, and the plurality of electrical wires.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the flexible elongate member comprises:
 an outer member; and 
 an inner member positioned inside the outer member, 
   wherein the plurality of conductors and the plurality of electrical wires extend within a space between the outer member and the inner member.