Patent Publication Number: US-2023157667-A1

Title: Flexible substrate with recesses for intraluminal ultrasound imaging devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to intraluminal medical imaging and, in particular, to the distal structure of an intraluminal imaging device. For example, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging catheter has a flexible substrate with recesses that allow adhesive penetration for coupling to other components with increased tensile strength. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is widely used in interventional cardiology as a diagnostic tool for assessing a diseased vessel, such as an artery, within the human body to determine the need for treatment, to guide the intervention, and/or to assess its effectiveness. An IVUS device including one or more ultrasound transducers is passed into the vessel and guided to the area to be imaged. The transducers emit ultrasonic energy in order to create an image of the vessel of interest. Ultrasonic waves are partially reflected by discontinuities arising from tissue structures (such as the various layers of the vessel wall), red blood cells, and other features of interest. Echoes from the reflected waves are received by the transducer and passed along to an IVUS imaging system. The imaging system processes the received ultrasound echoes to produce a cross-sectional image of the vessel where the device is placed. 
     Solid-state (also known as synthetic-aperture) IVUS catheters are one of the two types of IVUS devices commonly used today, the other type being the rotational IVUS catheter. Solid-state IVUS catheters carry a scanner assembly that includes an array of ultrasound transducers distributed around its circumference along with one or more integrated circuit controller chips mounted adjacent to the transducer array. The controllers select individual acoustic elements (or groups of elements) for transmitting an ultrasound pulse and for receiving the ultrasound echo signal. By stepping through a sequence of transmit-receive pairs, the solid-state IVUS system can synthesize the effect of a mechanically scanned ultrasound transducer but without moving parts (hence the solid-state designation). Since there is no rotating mechanical element, the transducer array can be placed in direct contact with the blood and vessel tissue with minimal risk of vessel trauma. Furthermore, because there is no rotating element, the electrical interface is simplified. The solid-state scanner can be wired directly to the imaging system with a simple electrical cable and a standard detachable electrical connector, rather than the complex rotating electrical interface required for a rotational IVUS device. 
     Manufacturing solid-state IVUS devices that can efficiently traverse anatomic structures within the human body is challenging. IVUS devices must be extremely narrow to successfully pass through the human vasculature without damaging tissue. Despite their extremely small size, intraluminal imaging devices must also have high tensile strength to ensure that the device or parts of the device do not separate during a procedure. Such a breakage may cause parts of an intraluminal imaging device to be left within the heart or vasculature. Connections between various components of intraluminal imaging devices provide generally weaker tensile strength and are more prone to separation of other components of intraluminal imaging devices. In addition, current methods of connecting components of intraluminal imaging devices often require increased overall diameters of the device which may limit the ability of the device to maneuver through a patient&#39;s vasculature. An increased diameter at connections may also make the device less smooth and more disposed to agitate or damage tissues within the body. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to connections of an intraluminal imaging device, such intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter, at a distal and proximal end that overcome the limitations described above. For example, an IVUS imaging assembly is attached at a proximal end to electrical wires that transmit imaging data to and from a control and processing system and other elongate structures. The IVUS imaging assembly is also attached to at a distal end to a tip member of the catheter. The IVUS imaging assembly has a flexible substrate on which the ultrasound transducer elements are positioned. The flexible substrate also has multiple recesses (e.g., two or more recesses at the distal end of the flexible substrate and two or more recesses at the proximal end of the flexible substrate). The proximal end of the tip member has a smaller diameter than the distal end of the flexible substrate. During assembly of the catheter, a gap is created between the two components when the proximal end of the tip member and the distal end of the flexible substrate in its rolled form are brought together. The recesses in the flexible substrate are positioned over the gap. Adhesive is injected into the gap through one of the recesses to bond the two components. The second recess serves as a vent through which any air within the gap may escape. Similarly, two recesses at the proximal end of the flexible substrate may be positioned over a similar gap between the flexible substrate and an inner and outer catheter shaft. Adhesive passes through one recess and air passes through the other like a vent. This connection method results in increased tensile strength of bonds between components of the IVUS catheter and ensures a smaller overall diameter. 
     In an exemplary aspect, an intraluminal imaging catheter is provided. The intraluminal imaging catheter includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; an ultrasound imaging assembly coupled to the flexible elongate member at the distal portion, wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly comprises: a flexible substrate comprising a first surface and an opposite, second surface; and an ultrasound transducer array disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate comprises a first recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly is coupled to the flexible elongate member via a first adhesive positioned in a space between the flexible substrate and the flexible elongate member via the first recess. 
     In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a second recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the second recess is configured to vent air within the space when the first adhesive is positioned in the space between the flexible substrate and the flexible elongate member via the first recess. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the first recess and second recess are disposed at the proximal portion of the flexible substrate. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a rolled configuration, and the first recess and the second recess are disposed on opposite sides of the ultrasound imaging assembly when the flexible substrate is in the rolled configuration. In some aspects, the intraluminal imaging catheter further includes a tip member coupled to the ultrasound imaging assembly, the flexible substrate comprises a third recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the tip member is coupled to the ultrasound imaging assembly via a second adhesive positioned in a space between the flexible substrate and the tip member via the third recess. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a fourth recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the fourth recess is configured to vent air within the space when the second adhesive is positioned in the space between the flexible substrate and the tip member via the third recess. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the third recess and fourth recess are disposed at the distal portion of the flexible substrate. In some aspects, the ultrasound imaging assembly further comprises a support member, the flexible substrate is disposed around the support member, and the first adhesive is in contact with the support member, the flexible substrate, and the flexible elongate member. In some aspects, the flexible elongate member comprises an inner member and an outer member disposed around the inner member, and the first adhesive is positioned in the space between flexible substrate and at least one of the inner member or the outer member. 
     In an exemplary aspect, an intraluminal imaging catheter is provided. The intraluminal imaging catheter includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; an ultrasound imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a tip member coupled to the ultrasound imaging assembly, wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly comprises: a flexible substrate comprising a first surface and an opposite, second surface; and an ultrasound transducer array disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate comprises a first recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly is coupled to the tip member via a first adhesive positioned in a space between the flexible substrate and the tip member via the first recess. 
     In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a second recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the second recess is configured to vent air within the space when the first adhesive is positioned in the space between the flexible substrate and the tip member via the first recess. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the first recess and second recess are disposed at the distal portion of the flexible substrate. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a rolled configuration, and the first recess and the second recess are disposed on opposite sides of the ultrasound imaging assembly when the flexible substrate is in the rolled configuration. In some aspects, the flexible elongate member is coupled to the ultrasound imaging assembly, the flexible substrate comprises a third recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the flexible elongate member is coupled to the ultrasound imaging assembly via a second adhesive positioned in a space between the flexible substrate and the flexible elongate member via the third recess. In some aspects, the flexible substrate comprises a fourth recess extending from the first surface to the second surface, and the fourth recess is configured to vent air within the space when the second adhesive is positioned in the space between the flexible substrate and the flexible elongate member via the third recess. In some aspects, wherein the flexible substrate comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the third recess and fourth recess are disposed at the proximal portion of the flexible substrate. In some aspects, the ultrasound imaging assembly further comprises a support member, the flexible substrate is disposed around the support member, and the first adhesive is in contact with the support member, the flexible substrate, and the tip member. In some aspects, an outer surface of the tip member comprises a first taper and an opposite, second taper, and the space between the flexible substrate and the tip member comprises a space between the first taper and the flexible elongate member. 
     In an exemplary aspect, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging catheter is provided. The IVUS imaging catheter includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; an ultrasound imaging assembly comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; and a tip member coupled to the distal portion of the ultrasound imaging assembly, wherein the flexible elongate member is coupled to the proximal portion of the ultrasound imaging assembly, wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly comprises: a flexible substrate comprising a first surface and an opposite, second surface; and an ultrasound transducer array disposed on the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate comprises a first recess, a second recess, a third recess, and a fourth recess each extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the first recess and the second recess are disposed at the proximal portion of the ultrasound imaging assembly, wherein the third recess and the fourth recess at the distal portion of the ultrasound imaging assembly, and wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly is coupled to the flexible elongate member via a first adhesive positioned in a space between the flexible substrate and the flexible elongate via the first recess while air is vented out of the second recess, and wherein the ultrasound imaging assembly is coupled to the tip member via a second adhesive positioned in a space between the flexible substrate and the tip member via the third recess while air is vented out of the fourth recess such that the flexible substrate defines an outer profile of the IVUS imaging catheter without the first or the second adhesive forming a larger profile than the outer profile. 
     Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagrammatic schematic view of an intraluminal imaging system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top of a scanner assembly in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagrammatic perspective view of the scanner assembly shown in  FIG.  2    in a rolled configuration around a support member, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of the scanner assembly shown in  FIG.  3   , according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of a scanner assembly in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the proximal connection between the scanner assembly, the support member, the inner member, and/or the outer member before adhesive is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the proximal connection between the scanner assembly, the support member, the inner member, and/or the outer member after adhesive is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the distal connection between the scanner assembly and the tip member before adhesive is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the distal connection between the scanner assembly and the tip member after adhesive is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagrammatic top view of another embodiment of the scanner assembly in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a diagrammatic top view of another embodiment of the scanner assembly in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a diagrammatic top view of another embodiment of the scanner assembly in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is a flow diagram of a method of assembling an intraluminal imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of the scanner assembly shown in  FIG.  5    in rolled configuration, positioned around a support member, the support member supported by an assembly mandrel, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of the scanner assembly, support member, and assembly mandrel shown in  FIG.  14    with an inner member passing through the center of the scanner assembly and support member, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  16    is a side view of the scanner assembly, support member, assembly mandrel, and inner member shown in  FIG.  15    with an outer member positioned over the proximal leg of the flexible substrate and inner member, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  17    is a side view of the scanner assembly, support member, assembly mandrel, inner member, and outer member shown in  FIG.  16    with a tip member coupled to the distal end of the scanner assembly, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, systems, and methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated and included within the present disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. For example, while the focusing system is described in terms of cardiovascular imaging, it is understood that it is not intended to be limited to this application. The system is equally well suited to any application requiring imaging within a confined cavity. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, however, the numerous iterations of these combinations will not be described separately. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagrammatic schematic view of an intraluminal imaging system  100 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The intraluminal imaging system  100  can be an ultrasound imaging system. In some instances, the system  100  can be an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system. The system  100  may include an intraluminal imaging device  102  such as a catheter, guide wire, or guide catheter, a patient interface module (PIM)  104 , an processing system or console  106 , and a monitor  108 . The intraluminal imaging device  102  can be an ultrasound imaging device. In some instances, the device  102  can be an IVUS imaging device, such as a solid-state IVUS device. The intraluminal imaging device  102  may also be referred to as an intraluminal imaging catheter. The intraluminal imaging device may also be referred to as an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging catheter. 
     At a high level, the IVUS device  102  emits ultrasonic energy from a transducer array  124  included in scanner assembly  110  mounted near a distal end of the catheter device. The ultrasonic energy is reflected by tissue structures in the medium, such as a vessel  120 , or another body lumen surrounding the scanner assembly  110 , and the ultrasound echo signals are received by the transducer array  124 . In that regard, the device  102  can be sized, shaped, or otherwise configured to be positioned within the body lumen of a patient. The PIM  104  transfers the received echo signals to the console or computer  106  where the ultrasound image (including the flow information) is reconstructed and displayed on the monitor  108 . The console or computer  106  can include a processor and a memory. The computer or computing device  106  can be operable to facilitate the features of the IVUS imaging system  100  described herein. For example, the processor can execute computer readable instructions stored on the non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. 
     The PIM  104  facilitates communication of signals between the IVUS console  106  and the scanner assembly  110  included in the IVUS device  102 . This communication includes the steps of: (1) providing commands to integrated circuit controller chip(s)  206 A and  206 B, illustrated in  FIG.  2   , included in the scanner assembly  110  to select the particular transducer array element(s), or acoustic element(s), to be used for transmit and receive, (2) providing the transmit trigger signals to the integrated circuit controller chip(s)  206 A and  206 B included in the scanner assembly  110  to activate the transmitter circuitry to generate an electrical pulse to excite the selected transducer array element(s), and/or (3) accepting amplified echo signals received from the selected transducer array element(s) via amplifiers included on the integrated circuit controller chip(s) 126  of the scanner assembly  110 . In some embodiments, the PIM  104  performs preliminary processing of the echo data prior to relaying the data to the console  106 . In examples of such embodiments, the PIM  104  performs amplification, filtering, and/or aggregating of the data. In an embodiment, the PIM  104  also supplies high- and low-voltage DC power to support operation of the device  102  including circuitry within the scanner assembly  110 . 
     The IVUS console  106  receives the echo data from the scanner assembly  110  by way of the PIM  104  and processes the data to reconstruct an image of the tissue structures in the medium surrounding the scanner assembly  110 . The console  106  outputs image data such that an image of the vessel  120 , such as a cross-sectional image of the vessel  120 , is displayed on the monitor  108 . Vessel  120  may represent fluid filled or surrounded structures, both natural and man-made. The vessel  120  may be within a body of a patient. The vessel  120  may be a blood vessel, as an artery or a vein of a patient&#39;s vascular system, including cardiac vasculature, peripheral vasculature, neural vasculature, renal vasculature, and/or or any other suitable lumen inside the body. For example, the device  102  may be used to examine any number of anatomical locations and tissue types, including without limitation, organs including the liver, heart, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas, lungs; ducts; intestines; nervous system structures including the brain, dural sac, spinal cord and peripheral nerves; the urinary tract; as well as valves within the blood, chambers or other parts of the heart, and/or other systems of the body. In addition to natural structures, the device  102  may be used to examine man-made structures such as, but without limitation, heart valves, stents, shunts, filters and other devices. 
     In some embodiments, the IVUS device includes some features similar to solid-state IVUS catheters, such as the EagleEye® catheter available from Volcano Corporation and those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,101 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, the IVUS device  102  includes the scanner assembly  110  near a distal end of the device  102  and a transmission line bundle  112  extending along the longitudinal body of the device  102 . The transmission line bundle or cable  112  can include a plurality of conductors, including one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more conductors  218  ( FIG.  2   ). It is understood that any suitable gauge wire can be used for the conductors  218 . In an embodiment, the transmission line bundle or cable  112  can include a four-conductor transmission line arrangement with, e.g., 41 AWG gauge wires. In an embodiment, the cable  112  can include a seven-conductor transmission line arrangement utilizing, e.g., 44 AWG gauge wires. In some embodiments, 43 AWG gauge wires can be used. 
     The transmission line bundle  112  terminates in a PIM connector  114  at a proximal end of the device  102 . The PIM connector  114  electrically couples the transmission line bundle  112  to the PIM  104  and physically couples the IVUS device  102  to the PIM  104 . In an embodiment, the IVUS device  102  further includes a guide wire exit port  116 . Accordingly, in some instances the IVUS device is a rapid-exchange catheter. The guide wire exit port  116  allows a guide wire  118  to be inserted towards the distal end in order to direct the device  102  through the vessel  120 . 
       FIG.  2    is a diagrammatic top view of a portion of a flexible assembly  110 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The flexible assembly  110  includes a transducer array  124  formed in a transducer region  204  and transducer control logic dies or controllers  206  (including dies  206 A and  206 B) formed in a control region  208 , with a transition region  210  disposed therebetween. The transducer array  124  includes an array of ultrasound transducers  212 . The transducer control logic dies  206  are mounted on a flexible substrate  214  into which the transducers  212  have been previously integrated. The flexible substrate  214  is shown in a flat configuration in  FIG.  2   . Though six control logic dies  206  are shown in  FIG.  2   , any number of control logic dies  206  may be used. For example, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more control logic dies  206  may be used. 
     The flexible substrate  214 , on which the transducer control logic dies  206  and the transducers  212  are mounted, provides structural support and interconnects for electrical coupling. The flexible substrate  214  may be constructed to include a film layer of a flexible polyimide material such as KAPTON™ (trademark of DuPont). Other suitable materials include polyester films, polyimide films, polyethylene napthalate films, or polyetherimide films, liquid crystal polymer, other flexible printed semiconductor substrates as well as products such as Upilex® (registered trademark of Ube Industries) and TEFLON® (registered trademark of E.I. du Pont). In the flat configuration illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the flexible substrate  214  has a generally rectangular shape. As shown and described herein, the flexible substrate  214  is configured to be wrapped around a support member  230  ( FIG.  3   ) in some instances. Therefore, the thickness of the film layer of the flexible substrate  214  is generally related to the degree of curvature in the final assembled flexible assembly  110 . In some embodiments, the film layer is between 5 μm and 100 μm, with some particular embodiments being between 5 μm and 25.1 μm, e.g., 6 μm. 
     The set of transducer control logic dies  206  is a non-limiting example of a control circuit. The transducer region  204  is disposed at a distal portion  221  of the flexible substrate  214 . The control region  208  is disposed at a proximal portion  222  of the flexible substrate  214 . The transition region  210  is disposed between the control region  208  and the transducer region  204 . Dimensions of the transducer region  204 , the control region  208 , and the transition region  210  (e.g., lengths  225 ,  227 ,  229 ) can vary in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the lengths  225 ,  227 ,  229  can be substantially similar or, the length  227  of the transition region  210  may be less than lengths  225  and  229 , the length  227  of the transition region  210  can be greater than lengths  225 ,  229  of the transducer region and controller region, respectively. 
     The control logic dies  206  are not necessarily homogenous. In some embodiments, a single controller is designated a master control logic die  206 A and contains the communication interface for cable  112 , between a processing system, e.g., processing system  106 , and the flexible assembly  110 . Accordingly, the master control circuit may include control logic that decodes control signals received over the cable  112 , transmits control responses over the cable  112 , amplifies echo signals, and/or transmits the echo signals over the cable  112 . The remaining controllers are slave controllers  206 B. The slave controllers  206 B may include control logic that drives a transducer  212  to emit an ultrasonic signal and selects a transducer  212  to receive an echo. In the depicted embodiment, the master controller  206 A does not directly control any transducers  212 . In other embodiments, the master controller  206 A drives the same number of transducers  212  as the slave controllers  206 B or drives a reduced set of transducers  212  as compared to the slave controllers  206 B. In an exemplary embodiment, a single master controller  206 A and eight slave controllers  206 B are provided with eight transducers assigned to each slave controller  206 B. 
     To electrically interconnect the control logic dies  206  and the transducers  212 , in an embodiment, the flexible substrate  214  includes conductive traces  216  formed in the film layer that carry signals between the control logic dies  206  and the transducers  212 . In particular, the conductive traces  216  providing communication between the control logic dies  206  and the transducers  212  extend along the flexible substrate  214  within the transition region  210 . In some instances, the conductive traces  216  can also facilitate electrical communication between the master controller  206 A and the slave controllers  206 B. The conductive traces  216  can also provide a set of conductive pads that contact the conductors  218  of cable  112  when the conductors  218  of the cable  112  are mechanically and electrically coupled to the flexible substrate  214 . Suitable materials for the conductive traces  216  include copper, gold, aluminum, silver, tantalum, nickel, and tin, and may be deposited on the flexible substrate  214  by processes such as sputtering, plating, and etching. In an embodiment, the flexible substrate  214  includes a chromium adhesion layer. The width and thickness of the conductive traces  216  are selected to provide proper conductivity and resilience when the flexible substrate  214  is rolled. In that regard, an exemplary range for the thickness of a conductive trace  216  and/or conductive pad is between 1-5 μm. For example, in an embodiment, 5 μm conductive traces  216  are separated by 5 μm of space. The width of a conductive trace  216  on the flexible substrate may be further determined by the width of the conductor  218  to be coupled to the trace/pad. 
     The flexible substrate  214  can include a conductor interface  220  in some embodiments. The conductor interface  220  can be in a location of the flexible substrate  214  where the conductors  218  of the cable  112  are coupled to the flexible substrate  214 . For example, the bare conductors of the cable  112  are electrically coupled to the flexible substrate  214  at the conductor interface  220 . The conductor interface  220  can be tab extending from the main body of flexible substrate  214 . In that regard, the main body of the flexible substrate  214  can refer collectively to the transducer region  204 , controller region  208 , and the transition region  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor interface  220  extends from the proximal portion  222  of the flexible substrate  214 . In other embodiments, the conductor interface  220  is positioned at other parts of the flexible substrate  214 , such as the distal portion  221 , or the flexible substrate  214  may lack the conductor interface  220 . A value of a dimension of the tab or conductor interface  220 , such as a width  224 , can be less than the value of a dimension of the main body of the flexible substrate  214 , such as a width  226 . In some embodiments, the substrate forming the conductor interface  220  is made of the same material(s) and/or is similarly flexible as the flexible substrate  214 . In other embodiments, the conductor interface  220  is made of different materials and/or is comparatively more rigid than the flexible substrate  214 . For example, the conductor interface  220  can be made of a plastic, thermoplastic, polymer, hard polymer, etc., including polyoxymethylene (e.g., DELRIN®), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), nylon, Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), and/or other suitable materials. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of the device  102  with the scanner assembly  110  in a rolled configuration. In some instances, the imaging assembly  110  is transitioned from a flat configuration ( FIG.  2   ) to a rolled or more cylindrical configuration ( FIG.  3   ). For example, in some embodiments, techniques are utilized as disclosed in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,763, titled “ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ARRAY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,417, titled “HIGH RESOLUTION INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND SENSING ASSEMBLY HAVING A FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In some embodiments, the transducer elements  212  and/or the controllers  206  can be positioned in an annular configuration, such as a circular configuration or in a polygon configuration, around a longitudinal axis  250  of a support member  230 . It will be understood that the longitudinal axis  250  of the support member  230  may also be referred to as the longitudinal axis of the scanner assembly  110 , the flexible elongate member  121 , and/or the device  102 . For example, a cross-sectional profile of the imaging assembly  110  at the transducer elements  212  and/or the controllers  206  can be a circle or a polygon. Any suitable annular polygon shape can be implemented, such as one based on the number of controllers/transducers, flexibility of the controllers/transducers, etc., including a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, etc. In some examples, the plurality of transducer controllers  206  may be used for controlling the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements  212  to obtain imaging data associated with the vessel  120 . 
     The support member  230  can be referenced as a unibody in some instances. The support member  230  can be composed of a metallic material, such as stainless steel, or non-metallic material, such as a plastic or polymer as described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/985,220, “Pre-Doped Solid Substrate for Intravascular Devices,” filed Apr. 28, 2014, (&#39;220 application) the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The support member  230  can be a ferrule having a distal flange or portion  232  and a proximal flange or portion  234 . The support member  230  can be tubular in shape and define a lumen  236  extending longitudinally therethrough. The lumen  236  can be sized and shaped to receive the guide wire  118 . The support member  230  can be manufactured using any suitable process. For example, the support member  230  can be machined and/or electrochemically machined or laser milled, such as by removing material from a blank to shape the support member  230 , or molded, such as by an injection molding process. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , shown there is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of a distal portion of the intraluminal imaging device  102 , including the flexible substrate  214  and the support member  230 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The support member  230  can be referenced as a unibody in some instances. The support member  230  can be composed of a metallic material, such as stainless steel, or non-metallic material, such as a plastic or polymer as described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/985,220, “Pre-Doped Solid Substrate for Intravascular Devices,” filed Apr. 28, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The support member  230  can be ferrule having a distal portion  262  and a proximal portion  264 . The support member  230  can define a lumen  236  extending along the longitudinal axis LA. The lumen  236  is in communication with the entry/exit port  116  and is sized and shaped to receive the guide wire  118  ( FIG.  1   ). The support member  230  can be manufactured according to any suitable process. For example, the support member  230  can be machined and/or electrochemically machined or laser milled, such as by removing material from a blank to shape the support member  230 , or molded, such as by an injection molding process. In some embodiments, the support member  230  may be integrally formed as a unitary structure, while in other embodiments the support member  230  may be formed of different components, such as a ferrule and stands  242 ,  244 , that are fixedly coupled to one another. In some cases, the support member  230  and/or one or more components thereof may be completely integrated with inner member  256 . In some cases, the inner member  256  and the support member  230  may be joined as one, e.g., in the case of a polymer support member. 
     Stands  242 ,  244  that extend vertically are provided at the distal and proximal portions  262 ,  264 , respectively, of the support member  230 . The stands  242 ,  244  elevate and support the distal and proximal portions of the flexible substrate  214 . In that regard, portions of the flexible substrate  214 , such as the transducer portion  204  (or transducer region  204 ), can be spaced from a central body portion of the support member  230  extending between the stands  242 ,  244 . The stands  242 ,  244  can have the same outer diameter or different outer diameters. For example, the distal stand  242  can have a larger or smaller outer diameter than the proximal stand  244  and can also have special features for rotational alignment as well as control chip placement and connection. To improve acoustic performance, any cavities between the flexible substrate  214  and the surface of the support member  230  are filled with a liquid backing material  246 . The liquid backing material  246  can be introduced between the flexible substrate  214  and the support member  230  via passageways  235  in the stands  242 ,  244 . In some embodiments, suction can be applied via the passageways  235  of one of the stands  242 ,  244 , while the liquid backing material  246  is fed between the flexible substrate  214  and the support member  230  via the passageways  235  of the other of the stands  242 ,  244 . The backing material can be cured to allow it to solidify and set. In various embodiments, the support member  230  includes more than two stands  242 ,  244 , only one of the stands  242 ,  244 , or neither of the stands. In that regard the support member  230  can have an increased diameter distal portion  262  and/or increased diameter proximal portion  264  that is sized and shaped to elevate and support the distal and/or proximal portions of the flexible substrate  214 . 
     The support member  230  can be substantially cylindrical in some embodiments. Other shapes of the support member  230  are also contemplated including geometrical, non-geometrical, symmetrical, non-symmetrical, cross-sectional profiles. As the term is used herein, the shape of the support member  230  may reference a cross-sectional profile of the support member  230 . Different portions of the support member  230  can be variously shaped in other embodiments. For example, the proximal portion  264  can have a larger outer diameter than the outer diameters of the distal portion  262  or a central portion extending between the distal and proximal portions  262 ,  264 . In some embodiments, an inner diameter of the support member  230  (e.g., the diameter of the lumen  236 ) can correspondingly increase or decrease as the outer diameter changes. In other embodiments, the inner diameter of the support member  230  remains the same despite variations in the outer diameter. 
     A proximal inner member  256  and a proximal outer member  254  are coupled to the proximal portion  264  of the support member  230 . A flexible elongate member may comprise the inner member  256  and/or the proximal outer member  254 . The proximal inner member  256  can be received within a proximal flange  234 . The outer member  254  may abut and be in contact with the proximal end  555  ( FIG.  5   ) of flexible substrate  214 . In other embodiments, the outer member  254  may be positioned within the lumen created by the inner surface of flexible substrate  214  and the outer surface of support member  230 . The outer surface of outer member  254  may be in contact with the inner surface of flexible substrate  214 . A distal tip member  252  is coupled to the distal portion  262  of the support member  230 . For example, the distal member  252  is positioned around the distal flange  232 . The tip member  252  can abut and be in contact with the distal end  550  ( FIG.  5   ) of flexible substrate  214  and the stand  242 . In other embodiments, the proximal end of the tip member  252  may be received within the distal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214  in its rolled configuration. In some embodiments there may be a gap between the flexible substrate  214  and the tip member  252 . The distal member  252  can be the distal-most component of the intraluminal imaging device  102 . 
     One or more adhesives can be disposed between various components at the distal portion of the intraluminal imaging device  102 . For example, one or more of the flexible substrate  214 , the support member  230 , the distal member  252 , the proximal inner member  256 , and/or the proximal outer member  254  can be coupled to one another via an adhesive. 
       FIG.  5    is a top view of the scanner assembly  110  in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The scanner assembly  110  may include a flexible substrate  214  on which various components may be disposed. The flexible substrate  214  may include a distal end  550  and a proximal end  555 . As previously mentioned, the flexible substrate may include control region  208 , transducer region  204 , and transition region  210  positioned therebetween. Flexible substrate  214  comprises a first or outer surface and a second or inner surface such that when the flexible substrate is in its rolled configuration, the first or outer surface is positioned radially outward and the second or inner surface is positioned radially inward creating a lumen. 
     Coupled to the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214  may be a proximal leg  510 . The proximal leg  510  may extend proximally to the flexible substrate  214  as shown in  FIG.  5   . The proximal leg  510  may be positioned along the center line of the scanner assembly  110  in its flat configuration or may be positioned in any other suitable location along the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214 . The proximal leg also need not extend exactly proximally from the scanner assembly  110  but may extend in any direction relative to the scanner assembly  110 . The proximal leg  510  may extend toward one side of the center line of the scanner assembly  110  as shown in  FIG.  5    such that the proximal leg wraps in a spiral manner around the outer surface of the outer member  254  and the inner member  256  when the scanner assembly  110  is in its rolled configuration. Conductive traces, other conductors, electrical components, integrated circuit controller chips, or various other suitable components may be disposed on the surface of the proximal leg  510 . Proximal leg  510  may be used to mechanically and electrically couple the scanner assembly  110  to the transmission line bundle or cable  112 . The proximal leg  510  may be constructed of the same material as the flexible substrate  214 . For example, proximal leg  510  may be constructed of a flexible polyimide material or any other materials including polyester films, polyimide films, polyethylene napthalate films, or polyetherimide films, liquid crystal polymer, or any other flexible printed semiconductor substrates. The proximal leg  510  may be of any suitable length. The exact dimensions of the proximal leg  510  are selected to ensure a secure coupling between the proximal leg  510  and the flexible substrate  214  and between the proximal leg  510  and the transmission line bundle or cable  112 . The dimensions of the proximal leg  510  may also be selected to ensure that the intraluminal imaging device  102  is sufficiently narrow and flexible to successfully maneuver through the vasculature of a patient. The intraluminal imaging device  102  may include features substantially similar to those described in International Publication No. WO 2017/168300, titled “Imaging Assembly for Intravascular Imaging Device and Associated Devices, Systems, and Methods,” and U.S. Application No. 62/789,099, titled “INCREASED FLEXIBILITY SUBSTRATE FOR INTRALUMINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING ASSEMBLY,” and filed Jan. 7, 2019 (Atty. Dkt. No. 2018PF00854/44755.1986PV01), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214  and the proximal leg  510  may also be configured with notches  540  and  545  disposed on either side of proximal leg  510  as shown in  FIG.  5   . Notches  540  and  545  may be configured to receive an additional component such as outer member  254 , or various other components of similar shape and dimension, while the scanner assembly  110  is in its rolled configuration. In its rolled configuration, the scanner assembly  110  may receive outer member  254  such that the distal end of the outer member  254  is received into notches  540  and  545  in such a way that the proximal leg  510  is positioned within the inner lumen of outer member  254  but the proximal region  565  is positioned around the outer surface of outer member  254 . When received into notches  540  and  545  of flexible substrate  214 , outer member  254  may abut the flexible substrate  214  at various locations along the edge of notches  540  and  545 . 
     A plurality of holes or recesses may be positioned within substrate  214 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , a first recess  520  and a second recess  525  are positioned within the distal region  560  of flexible substrate  214 . Although two recesses  520  and  525  are depicted in  FIG.  5   , any suitable number of at least two may be positioned within the distal region  560  of flexible substrate  214 , including, three, four, or more. Recesses  520  and  525  may be positioned within flexible substrate  214  in such a way that when the scanner assembly  110  is in its rolled configuration, recesses  520  and  525  are then positioned at generally opposite sides of the rolled scanner assembly  110 . In other embodiments, recesses  520  and  525  may be positioned in different locations along flexible substrate  214 . For example, recess  520  may be positioned substantially 90 degrees in a circumferential or azimuthal direction from recess  525  when scanner assembly  110  is in its rolled configuration. In other embodiments, recess  520  may be positioned further or closer to recess  525  depending on the specific application. In addition, recesses  520  and  525  need not be positioned at the same position longitudinally as is depicted in  FIG.  5   . For example, either recess  520  or  525  may be positioned further distally or proximally to one another. Recesses  520  and  525  extend completely through flexible substrate  214  such that recesses  520  and  525  extend from the first or outer surface of flexible substrate  214  to the second or inner surface of flexible substrate  214 . As discussed in more detail hereafter, recesses  520  and  525  may serve respectively as an inlet through which adhesive may be injected within the scanner assembly  110  in its rolled configuration and as a vent through which air within the scanner assembly  110  may escape during an adhesive injection process. Recess  520  may serve as an inlet and recess  525  may serve as a vent or vice versa. Any additional recesses introduced into the design of scanner assembly  110  may function in similar fashion as inlets or vents or may serve other purposes. The dimensions of recesses  520  and  525  may be selected according to the overall dimensions of the scanner assembly  110 , the viscosity or other characteristics of adhesive used, or various other parameters. For example, a minimum diameter of recesses  520  and  525  may be between 0.1″ and 0.2″. However, this diameter is merely exemplary, and the scanner assembly  110  and corresponding recesses  520  and  525  may be of any suitable dimension depending on the specific application (e.g., cardiac vasculature, peripheral vasculature, etc.). 
     A third recess  530  and a fourth recess  535  are positioned at the proximal region  565  of the flexible substrate  214  and may be configured in a substantially similar way to recesses  520  and  525 . Additional recesses may be positioned at or near the proximal region  565  of the flexible substrate  214 . For example, recesses  530  and  535  may be positioned within flexible substrate  214  in such a way that when the scanner assembly  110  is in its rolled configuration, recesses  530  and  535  are then positioned at generally opposite sides of the rolled scanner assembly  110 . Recess  530  and recess  535  may be disposed on opposite sides of the intraluminal imaging catheter or intraluminal imaging device  102  when the flexible substrate  214  is in its rolled configuration. Recess  520  and recess  525  may also be disposed on opposite sides of the intraluminal imaging catheter or intraluminal imaging device  102 . Recesses  530  and  535  may also be positioned in different circumferential or longitudinal directions from one another, similar to embodiments of recesses  520  and  525  as previously discussed. Similar to recesses  520  and  525 , recesses  530  and  535  extend completely through flexible substrate  214  such that recesses  530  and  535  extend from the first or outer surface of flexible substrate  214  to the second or inner surface of flexible substrate  214 . Recesses  530  and  535  may serve as an inlet through which adhesive may be injected and/or otherwise provided within the scanner assembly  110  in its rolled configuration and as a vent through which air within the scanner assembly  110  may escape during an adhesive injection process respectively or vice versa. Additional recesses may also be included within the proximal region  565  at various other locations to serve as adhesive inlets or air vents. Recesses  530  and  535  may be of substantially similar dimensions as recesses  520  and  525 , or may be substantially different. As previously noted in regard to recesses  520  and  525 , the dimensions of recesses  530  and  535  may be of any suitable dimension depending on the specific application. 
     Recesses  520 ,  525 ,  530 , and  535  may extend completely through flexible substrate  214 . For example, flexible substrate  214  comprises an upper surface, outer surface, or first surface  211  ( FIG.  6   ) and a lower surface or second surface  213  ( FIG.  6   ). Recesses  520 ,  525 ,  530 , and  535  extend from upper surface  211  of flexible substrate  214  completely through flexible substrate  214  to lower surface, inner surface, or second surface  213  of flexible substrate  214 . In this manner, the lumen created by flexible substrate  214  when it is in its rolled configuration is in direct communication with the environment (e.g., radially inward and radially outward) surrounding flexible substrate  214  by way of recesses  520 ,  525 ,  530 , and  535 . 
       FIG.  6    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the proximal connection between the flexible substrate  214 , the support member  230 , the inner member  256 , and/or the outer member  254  before adhesive is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  6   , the outer member  254  is positioned around the inner member  256 . In some embodiments, the overall diameter of the outer member  254  may be of a smaller diameter than the overall diameter of the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214 . In such an embodiment, distal end  615  of the outer member  254  may be received within the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214 . The distal end  615  of outer member  254  may be received within cavity or lumen  610  created between the inner surface of flexible substrate  214  and the outer surface of support member  230 . Distal end  615  of outer member  254  may extend any distance within cavity  610 . In other embodiments, the distal end  615  of the outer member  254  may abut the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214 . The distal end  615  of the outer member  254  may abut the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214  at a location distal to the proximal end  234  of the support member  230 . In other embodiments, the distal end  615  of the outer member  254  may abut the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214  at a location proximal to the proximal end  234  of the support member  230  or at the same general location of the proximal end  234  of support member  230 . In still other embodiments, the distal end  615  of the outer member  254  may not abut the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214 , but may leave a gap. Recesses  530  and  535  may be positioned on either side of scanner assembly  110 . Recesses  530  and  535  may be positioned over a cavity  610  within the proximal region of scanner assembly  110 . The cavity  610  may be located between the proximal end  234  of the support member  230 , the proximal region  565  of the flexible substrate  214 , and the distal end  615  of the outer member  254 . Cavity  610  may extend azimuthally or circumferentially around the cylindrical body of the imaging assembly and is therefore depicted both above and below lumen  236  of the support member  230  in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of  FIG.  6   . To mechanically couple the distal end of the outer member  254  to the proximal end of the scanner assembly  110 , one of either recesses  530  or  535  acts as an inlet and the other acts as a vent. Either recess  530  or recess  535  may be used as an inlet or a vent interchangeably, however, for the purposes of the present application, recess  530  will be described as an inlet, and recess  535  will be described as a vent. It is fully contemplated that recess  535  may be used as an inlet and recess  530  may be used as a vent. During the connection process, adhesive is injected and/or otherwise provided through the inlet recess  530 . To allow the adhesive to flow through inlet recess  530  and fill cavity  610 , vent recess  535  allows gases in cavity  610  to escape. Recess  530  may be configured to receive adhesive and recess  535  may be configured to vent air. 
       FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the proximal connection between the flexible substrate  214 , the support member  230 , the inner member  256 , and/or the outer member  254  after adhesive  710  is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  7   , after adhesive  710  is injected into the cavity  610 , adhesive  710  comes in direct contact with the flexible substrate  214 , the support member  230 , the inner member  256 , and/or the outer member  254  creating a strong mechanical coupling between these components. In addition, this method of connecting components of an ultrasound imaging assembly maintains the same overall diameter of the device at connection locations as shown in  FIG.  7    such that the outer diameter of the flexible substrate  214  is the largest overall outer diameter of any component longitudinally of the intraluminal imaging device  102 . This is due to the fact that adhesive  710  is positioned radially interior to the flexible substrate  214  through the use of recess  530  as an inlet and recess  535  as a vent, as opposed to using a fillet, or other method of connection surrounding the flexible substrate  214  and extending radially outward. In this manner, the flexible substrate  214  defines an outer profile of the IVUS imaging catheter  102  without the adhesive or other method of connection forming a larger profile than the outer profile. In some embodiments, adhesive  710  may flow proximally into cavity  720  defined as the region proximal to the scanner assembly  110  between the outer member  254  and the inner member  256 . In other embodiments, the amount of adhesive  710  which may flow into cavity  720  may be controlled by the amount of adhesive  710  injected into cavity  610 , the viscosity of adhesive  710 , the orientation of scanner assembly  110  during the adhesive injection process, or a variety of other factors. In still other embodiments, a barrier may be included with the scanner assembly  110  between cavity  720  and cavity  610 , or positioned at any other suitable location, which may prevent adhesive  710  from flowing proximally into cavity  720 . This barrier may be a separate component. It may also be a part of or connected to outer member  254 , a part of or connected to flexible substrate  214 , a part of or connected to support member  230 , or a part of or connected to inner member  256 . In other embodiments, a part of adhesive  710  may additionally flow along the exterior surface of outer member  254  in a longitudinally proximal direction. The amount of adhesive  710  which may flow over the exterior surface of outer member  254  may similarly be controlled by the amount of adhesive  710  injected, the viscosity of adhesive  710  and other previously mentioned factors. Physically barriers may also be placed as part of or connected to outer member  254  or as part of or connected to the flexible substrate  214  to restrict the flow of adhesive  710  over the exterior surface of outer member  254 . In some embodiments, the distal end  615  of outer member  254  may be completely surrounded by and adhered to adhesive  710 , such that a portion of the outer surface of outer member  254  comes in direct contact with adhesive  710  and a portion of the inner surface of outer member  254  comes in direct contact with adhesive  710 . In other embodiments, only an inner surface of outer member  254  may be in contact with adhesive  710 . In still other embodiments, only an outer surface of outer member  254  may be in contact with adhesive  710 . 
       FIG.  8    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the distal connection between the scanner assembly  110  and a tip member  810  before adhesive is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The tip member  810  may substantially similar to distal tip member  252  of  FIG.  4   , or may differ substantially. Tip member  810  may be a generally conical shaped element with a small overall diameter at its distal end which gradually increases along slope or taper  812  to a point  815  of the same general diameter as the scanner assembly  110 . At the proximal end of tip member  810 , as shown in  FIG.  9   , the diameter of the tip member  810  may again gradually decrease along slope or taper  814  to a smaller diameter than that of the scanner assembly  110 . This taper  814  of the proximal end of the tip member  810  allows the proximal end  820  of the tip member  810  to be inserted into the distal end of the flexible substrate  214  in its rolled configuration. In some embodiments, the proximal end  820  of the tip member  810  may be inserted into the lumen created by the flexible substrate  214  in its rolled configuration until it abuts the stand  242  of the support member  230  or other parts of support member  230 . In other embodiments, the proximal end  820  of the tip member  810  may not abut stand  242  of support member  230  but may be positioned at some point distal of stand  242  of support member  230 . 
     The outer surface of tip member  810  may come in direct contact with the distal end  550  of flexible substrate  214 . A gap  850  may then be created between the outer surface of tip member  810  along taper  814 , the inner surface of flexible substrate  214 , and the distal end of the stand  242  of support member  230 , or other regions of support member  230 . As with cavity  610  of the proximal connection between the scanner assembly  110  and the outer member  254 , gap  850  may extend circumferentially around the cylindrical body of the imaging assembly and is therefore depicted both above and below the lumen  236  of the support member  230  in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of  FIG.  8   . To mechanically couple the proximal end of the tip member  810  to the distal end of the scanner assembly  110 , one of either recess  520  or  555 , depicted in  FIG.  8   , acts as an inlet and the other acts as a vent. Either recess  520  or recess  525  may be used as either an inlet or a vent interchangeably, however, for the purposes of the present application only, recess  520  will be described as an inlet, and recess  525  will be described as a vent. During the connection process, adhesive is injected and/or otherwise provided through the inlet recess  520 . To allow the adhesive to flow through inlet recess  520  and fill gap  850 , vent recess  525  allows gases in gap  850  to escape. Recess  520  may be configured to receive adhesive and recess  525  may be configured to vent air. 
       FIG.  9    is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the distal connection between the scanner assembly  110  and the tip member  810  after adhesive  910  is applied, according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  9   , after adhesive  910  is injected into the gap  850 , adhesive  910  comes in direct contact with the flexible substrate  214 , the stand  242  of the support member  230  or other region of support member  230 , and the tip member  810  creating a strong mechanical coupling between these components. In addition, this method of connecting components of an ultrasound imaging assembly maintains the same overall diameter of the device at connection locations as shown in  FIG.  13   . As previously mentioned, this is due to the fact that adhesive  910  is positioned radially interior to the flexible substrate  214  through the use of recess  520  as an inlet and recess  525  as a vent, as opposed to using a fillet, or other method of connection surrounding the flexible substrate  214  and extending radially outward. In some embodiments, gap  850  and subsequently adhesive  910  may come in contact directly with support member  230  rather than stand  242  of support member  230 . Adhesive  910  may be any particular type of suitable adhesive, such as epoxy, cyanoacrylate, urethane adhesive, and/or acrylic adhesives, as well as others. Adhesive  910  may be liquid of any suitable viscosity. 
     The tip member  810  depicted in  FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  17    is merely illustrative and can be of various sizes or shapes and may be constructed of various materials. For example, tip member  810  may be constructed of a polymer, silicone rubber, nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), latex, or other suitable materials. Further, tip member  810  may have general dimensions similar to those of the scanner assembly  110  or may be substantially larger or smaller than scanner assembly  110 . 
       FIG.  10    is a diagrammatic top view of another embodiment of the scanner assembly  110  in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. At the distal region  560  of the flexible substrate  214 , two recesses, recess  1010  and recess  1015  are depicted. These recesses may be substantially similar to recesses  520  and  525  of previous figures. However, recess  1015  is of a smaller diameter than recess  1010 . Despite the difference in size, recess  1010  may serve as an inlet and recess  1015  may serve as a vent or vice versa. It is fully contemplated that additional recesses of various different sizes may also be introduced in a design as additional inlets or vents. Similarly, recesses  1020  and  1025  are positioned in the proximal region  565  of flexible substrate  214 . Recesses  1020  and  1025  may be substantially similar to recesses  530  and  535  of previous figures. However, recess  1025  is of a smaller diameter than recess  1020 . Again, either recess may serve as an inlet or a vent as previously described. 
       FIG.  11    is a diagrammatic top view of another embodiment of the scanner assembly  110  in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. At the distal region  560  of the flexible substrate  214 , two recesses, recess  1110  and recess  1115  are depicted. These recesses may be substantially similar to recesses  520  and  525  of previous figures. However, recesses  1110  and  1115  are of a rectangular shape, rather than a circular shape as previously discussed. Despite the difference in shape, the recesses may still serve the same purpose as an inlet and vent or vice versa. It is fully contemplated that additional recesses of various different shapes may also be introduced in a design as additional inlets or vents. These shapes may include circles, rectangles, ovals, triangles, polygons, and other shapes. Similarly, recesses  1120  and  1125  are positioned in the proximal region  565  of flexible substrate  214 . Recesses  1120  and  1125  may be substantially similar to recesses  530  and  535  of previous figures. However, recesses  1120  and  1125  are also of a rectangular shape. Again, either recess may serve as an inlet or a vent as previously described and different shapes of all types are fully contemplated. 
       FIG.  12    is a diagrammatic top view of another embodiment of the scanner assembly in a flat configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure. At the distal region  560  of the flexible substrate  214 , a recess  1210  and a slit  1215  are depicted. Recess  1210  may be substantially similar to recess  520  of previous figures. However, a slit  1215  replaces previously presented recesses. Similarly, recess  1210  in some embodiments may similarly be a slit. Despite the difference in shape, the recesses or slits may still serve the same purpose as an inlet and vent or vice versa. It is fully contemplated that additional recesses or slits may also be introduced in a design as additional inlets or vents. Similarly, recess  1220  and slit  1225  are positioned in the proximal region  565  of flexible substrate  214 . Recess  1220  may be substantially similar to recess  530  of previous figures. However, slit  1225  replaces previously described recesses. Again, either recess  1220  or slit  1225  may serve as an inlet or a vent as previously described and different shapes or configurations of perforations in flexible substrate  214  of all types are fully contemplated. 
       FIG.  13    is a flow chart diagram of a method  1300  of assembling an intraluminal imaging device  102  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  1300  can include mechanically coupling outer member  254  to the flexible substrate  214  and support member  230 , and mechanically coupling tip member  810  to flexible substrate  214  and support member  230 . As illustrated, method  1300  includes a number of enumerated steps, but embodiments of method  1300  may include additional steps before, after, or in between the enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted, performed in a different order, or performed concurrently. The steps of method  1300  can be carried out by a manufacturer of the intraluminal imaging device  102 , a manufacturer of a subassembly including the scanner assembly  110 , the outer member  254 , the tip member  810 , and/or a manufacturer of any other component discussed in the present disclosure. Method  1300  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  14 - 17   , which are side views of various components of the ultrasound imaging assembly  102  during various steps of manufacturing. For example,  FIGS.  14 - 17    illustrate assembly steps for various components of the ultrasound imaging assembly  102 , such as the connection between the scanner assembly  110  and outer member  254  and the connection between the scanner assembly  110  and the tip member  810 . 
     At step  1305 , method  1300  includes obtaining an imaging assembly  102  having flexible substrate  214  rolled around support member  230 . Step  1305  of obtaining an imaging assembly  102  may comprise a subprocess of manufacturing or assembling the imaging assembly  102  including positioning support member  230  on assembly mandrel  1410  and wrapping flexible substrate  214  around support member  230  and coming in contact with stands  242  and  244  of support member  230 . An assembly mandrel  1410  may be used to support the ultrasound imaging assembly  102  during various stages of manufacturing. Assembly mandrel  1410  may be of any suitable length. The diameter of assembly mandrel  1410  may correspond to the inner diameter of the inner member  256  or may differ. In other embodiments, ultrasound imaging assembly  102  may be constructed without the use of assembly mandrel  1410 .  FIG.  14    is a side view of the scanner assembly  110  similar to that shown in  FIG.  5    in rolled configuration during a stage of the assembly process. Specifically, in  FIG.  14   , scanner assembly  110  is depicted positioned around the support member  230 . The support member  230  is further supported by the assembly mandrel  1410  as previously stated, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The proximal leg  510  is also depicted proximal to the scanner assembly  110  and wrapped in a spiral manner around the proximal portion of the assembly mandrel  1410 . Recesses  520  and  530  are also depicted at the distal region  560  and proximal region  565  of the flexible substrate  214  respectively. Recesses  525  and  535  are not depicted as they are positioned on the opposite side of the scanner assembly  110  in its rolled configuration in this particular embodiment. In other embodiments, recesses  525  and  535  may be visible. The ultrasound transducer array may be disposed in a circumferential arrangement around a longitudinal axis of the scanner assembly  110 . 
     At step  1310 , method  1300  includes positioning inner member  256  within lumen  236  of support member  230 .  FIG.  7    is a side view of the scanner assembly  110 , support member  230 , and assembly mandrel  1410  shown in  FIG.  6    with the inner member  256  passing through the lumen  236  of the support member  230 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. Inner member  256  can comprise a flexible elongate member. Inner member  256  may be a flexible elongate member constructed of a polymer material that defines a lumen for various other components to pass through. Inner member  256  may be constructed of any number of suitable materials including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and other suitable materials that offer flexibility, resistance to corrosion, and lack of conductivity. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  15   , a strain relief layer  1520  may be positioned around inner member  256  near the scanner assembly  110 . Strain relief layer  1520  may include some features similar to those disclosed in U.S. Application No. 62/789,184 titled “STRAIN RELIEF FOR INTRALUMINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS,” and filed Jan. 7, 2019 (Atty. Dkt. No. 2018PF00451/44755.1946PV01), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     At step  1315 , method  1300  includes mechanically and electrically coupling conductors  218  of transmission line bundle or cable  112  to proximal leg  510  of flexible substrate  214 . As also shown in  FIG.  15   , a plurality of conductors  218  may be mechanically and electrically coupled to the proximal leg  510  at this stage of assembly. However, in other embodiments, conductors  218  may be mechanically and electrically coupled to proximal leg  510  at any other stage of the manufacturing process, including before the flexible substrate  214  is rolled around support member  230 , after tip member  810  is coupled to scanner assembly  110  or at any point therebetween. Conductors  218  may be housed together within the transmission line bundle or cable  112 , or may be independently positioned. Conductors  218  may be positioned around the outer layer of inner member  256  and extend proximally from scanner assembly  110  between scanner assembly  110  and PIM  104  or may be positioned in alternative locations along the scanner assembly  110  or inner member  256 . As previously discussed, control signals and echo or imaging data may be transmitted and received over the conductors  218 . 
     At step  1320 , method  1300  includes positioning outer member  254  over the outer surfaces of inner member  256  and strain relief layer  1520  to abut the proximal end  555  of the flexible substrate  214 .  FIG.  8    is a side view of the scanner assembly  110 , support member  230 , assembly mandrel  1410 , and inner member  256  with an outer member  254  positioned over the proximal leg  510  and inner member  256 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, and as previously shown in  FIG.  6   , the distal end  615  of outer member  254  may abut the proximal end  555  of flexible substrate  214 . However, in other embodiments, the distal end  615  may be situated beneath the proximal end  555  of flexible substrate  214  in such a way that the distal region of outer member  254  overlaps with the proximal region of flexible substrate  214 . In still other embodiments, the distal end  615  of outer member  254  may be positioned over or around the outer surface  211  of flexible substrate  214  such that the same overlapping of components is achieved, however, in reverse order. 
     At step  1325 , method  1300  includes injecting adhesive  710  through recess  530  to mechanically couple the outer member  254 , the flexible substrate  214 , the inner member  256  and/or the support member  230 . As has been discussed in more detail previously, after the distal end of outer member  254  is positioned proximate to, adjacent to, abutting, and/or in contact with the proximal region  565  of flexible substrate  214  in its rolled configuration, a cavity or lumen  610  exists between the flexible substrate  214 , the supporting member  230  and the outer member  254 . Adhesive may be injected through recess  530  and air within the gap may escape through recess  535  allowing the adhesive to fill the gap and couple flexible substrate  214  and supporting member  230  to outer member  254  resulting in both superior strength of the proximal connection and a lower profile around the area. 
     At step  1330 , method  1300  includes positioning the proximal end of tip member  810  within the lumen defined by the distal end of flexible substrate  214  in its rolled configuration and flange  232  of support member  230 .  FIG.  17    is a side view of the scanner assembly  110 , support member  230 , assembly mandrel  1410 , inner member  256 , and outer member  254  with a tip member  810  positioned within the distal region  560  of the flexible substrate  214 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. As has been previously discussed, the proximal end of the tip member  810  may be of a lesser overall diameter than the diameter of the lumen created by the distal region  560  of the flexible substrate  214  in its rolled configuration, such that the proximal end of the tip member  810  may be inserted into the lumen at the distal end of flexible substrate  214 . Recess  520  within the distal region  560  of flexible substrate  214  may then be positioned over the proximal region of tip member  810 . 
     At step  1335 , method  1300  includes injecting adhesive  910  into gap  850  to mechanically couple tip member  810 , flexible substrate  214 , and support member  230 . Similar to the adhesive injection process described in relation to the proximal connection of the outer member  254  with flexible substrate  214 , and discussed previously in more detail, a gap between the flexible substrate  214 , the support member  230  and the tip member  810  may exist within the lumen of the distal region  560  of the flexible substrate  214 . Subsequently, recess  520  may act as an inlet for adhesive and recess  525  may act as a vent for air within the gap to escape allowing the adhesive to fill the gap and couple flexible substrate  214  and supporting member  230  to tip member  810 . 
     Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus, systems, and methods described above can be modified in various ways. Accordingly, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments described above. In that regard, although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.