CONNECTORS FOR PATIENT INTERFACE MODULE AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE

1 . An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

a patient interface module communicatively positioned between an ultrasound imaging device and a console, the patient interface module comprising:

a proximal connector configured to interface with the console;

a distal connector configured to interface with a connector of the ultrasound imaging device; and

a cable extending between the proximal connector and the distal connector,

wherein the proximal connector comprises a plurality of transformers.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising the ultrasound imaging device.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasound imaging device comprises an intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter.

4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasound imaging device is configured to output signals via a plurality of channels, wherein a quantity of the plurality of transformers equals a quantity of the plurality of channels.

5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising the console, wherein the console is configured to process the signals output by the ultrasound imaging device and display an ultrasound image based on the processed signals.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the distal connector has a width of approximately 2 inches and a length of approximately 4.75 inches.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal connector has a width of approximately 3 inches and a length of approximately 4.36 inches.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the distal connector has a weight of approximately 0.2 lbs. and the proximal connector has a weight of approximately 0.6 lbs.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the distal connector comprises one or more electronic components.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more electronic components comprise a memory configured to facilitate communications between the ultrasound imaging device and the console.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more electronic components comprise a plurality of integrated circuits configured to increase signal integrity.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more electronic components comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to strengthen signals output by the ultrasound imaging device.

13 . An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

an ultrasound imaging device in communication with a console, comprising:

a flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;

an ultrasound transducer at the distal portion;

a plurality of conductive wires extending along the flexible elongate member; and

a connector at the proximal portion, wherein the connector comprises:

a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) configured to transmit imaging data obtained by the ultrasound transducer.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of conductive wires extends from the ultrasound transducer to the connector and provides an electrical connection between the ultrasound transducer and the connector.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the connector comprises a first substrate at which the plurality of conductive wires terminates and a second substrate in communication with the first substrate, wherein the PCBA is disposed on the second substrate.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first substrate is attached to a coupling module on the second substrate.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the proximal connector has a width of approximately 3 inches and a length of approximately 4.36 inches.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first substrate has a width of approximately 0.01 inch and a length of approximately 0.5 inch.

19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein each conductive wire serves as a data channel to transmit data from the ultrasound transducer to the connector.

20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the imaging data is stored in an EEPROM within the PCBA.