SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR CONNECTION OF COMPONENTS IN INTRALUMINAL DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

1 . An intraluminal imaging device, comprising:

a flexible elongate member configured for positioning within a vessel of a patient;

a support member coupled to the flexible elongate member; and

an imaging assembly coupled to the support member;

wherein the support member includes a proximal section with a first cross-sectional profile configured to interface with a distal portion of the flexible elongate member and a distal section with a second cross-sectional profile configured to interface with a proximal portion of the imaging assembly, wherein the first cross-sectional profile is different than the second cross-sectional profile.

2 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first cross-sectional profile is circular.

3 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 2 , wherein the second cross-sectional profile is a geometrical shape including between four and twelve sides.

4 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the support member further includes a lumen and an opening extending through a wall in communication with the lumen, the opening configured to receive a communication cable.

5 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 4 , wherein a connection interface of the imaging assembly is mounted to an outer surface of the support member adjacent to the opening.

6 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 5 , wherein the connection interface includes a flex circuit.

7 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 5 , further comprising the communication cable extending through the opening and electrically coupled to the connection interface of the imaging assembly.

8 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a lumen and wherein an adhesive within the lumen fixedly secures the imaging assembly to the support member.

9 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 8 , wherein a connection interface of the imaging assembly is positioned within the lumen.

10 . The intraluminal imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging assembly comprises an ultrasound transducer array.

11 . A method of forming an intraluminal imaging device, comprising:

providing a support member comprising a proximal section with a first cross-sectional profile and a distal section with a second cross-sectional profile, wherein the first cross-sectional profile is different than the second cross-sectional profile;

coupling a distal portion of a flexible elongate member configured for positioning within a vessel of a patient to the proximal section of the support member; and

coupling a proximal portion of an imaging assembly to the distal section of the support member.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first cross-sectional profile is circular.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the second cross-sectional profile is a geometrical shape including between four and twelve sides.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the support member further includes a lumen and an opening extending through a wall in communication with the lumen, the method further comprising introducing a communication cable through the opening.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising mounting a connection interface of the imaging assembly to an outer surface of the support member adjacent to the opening.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising electrically coupling the communication cable to the connection interface of the imaging assembly.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising introducing an adhesive within a lumen of the support member to fixedly secure the imaging assembly to the support member.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising positioning a connection interface of the imaging assembly within the lumen.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the connection interface is electrically coupled to a communication cable extending at least partially through the lumen.