Importance

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Abstract

An improved ultrasonic imaging catheter assembly (4) includes an elongate tubular assembly (8) having an imaging assembly (12) at one end (14) and one or more connectors (16) at the other end (17). The catheter assembly includes a digital identification circuit (26), used to permit the automatic identification of the catheter assembly, having a common ID terminal (32) and at least first (34) and second (36) signal terminals. The common ID terminal is connected to each of the first and second signal terminals in one of four different ways: a short circuit, an open circuit, by a diode (80a) with the cathode of the diode towards the common ID terminal, and by a diode (80b) with the cathode of the diode towards the signal terminal. An oscillating signal is applied to the common terminal and to four optocouplers (54-60), which are also connected to the signal terminals, to create a four digit binary signal corresponding to the way in which the common ID and signal terminals are connected and thus corresponding to the identification of the catheter assembly.

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First Claim