An intravascular system (100,200), comprising: an intravascular device having a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and at least one electrical connector secured to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, wherein the at least one electrical connector is electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a connector 202 for coupling to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, the connector having a first connection piece 204 including a recess sized and shaped to receive a portion of the intravascular device, a second connection piece 206) including an opening, wherein the second connection piece is translatable relative to the first connection piece between an open position and a closed position, at least one electrical contact configured to interface with the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device, and wherein in the open position, the opening of the second connection piece is positioned over the recess of the first connection piece to form a pathway to facilitate insertion of the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device, and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device received between the first and second connection pieces and a communication cable extends from the connector in a direction coaxial with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intravascular device when the intravascular device is received between the first and second connection pieces. an intravascular device having a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and at least one electrical connector secured to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, wherein the at least one electrical connector is electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and at least one electrical connector secured to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, wherein the at least one electrical connector is electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a connector 202 for coupling to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, the connector having a first connection piece 204 including a recess sized and shaped to receive a portion of the intravascular device, a second connection piece 206) including an opening, wherein the second connection piece is translatable relative to the first connection piece between an open position and a closed position, at least one electrical contact configured to interface with the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device, and wherein in the open position, the opening of the second connection piece is positioned over the recess of the first connection piece to form a pathway to facilitate insertion of the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device, and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device received between the first and second connection pieces and a communication cable extends from the connector in a direction coaxial with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intravascular device when the intravascular device is received between the first and second connection pieces. a first connection piece 204 including a recess sized and shaped to receive a portion of the intravascular device, a second connection piece 206) including an opening, wherein the second connection piece is translatable relative to the first connection piece between an open position and a closed position, at least one electrical contact configured to interface with the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device, and wherein in the open position, the opening of the second connection piece is positioned over the recess of the first connection piece to form a pathway to facilitate insertion of the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device, and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device received between the first and second connection pieces and a communication cable extends from the connector in a direction coaxial with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intravascular device when the intravascular device is received between the first and second connection pieces.