Pressure-Sensing Guidewire

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an intravascular treatment device comprising: (a) a proximal end configured to transmit a pressure signal to a receiver; (b) a distal end including a pressure sensor based on (i) a piezoelectric polymer layer and (ii) a first electrode and a second electrode that are electrically insulated from each other and each contact the piezoelectric polymer layer, the pressure sensor deriving a pressure signal from the first electrode and the second electrode; and (c) a device body providing one or more conductors for transmitting the pressure signal from the distal end to the proximal end.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly to intravascular treatment devices (e.g., guidewires and catheters) that provide tactile feedback to an operator as the medical device traverses a patient's vasculature. [Background technology]

[0002] Intravascular devices, such as guidewires and catheters, are used to treat a variety of vascular diseases. Such guidewires are flexible wires that provide a rail along which larger, more rigid catheters can be safely guided into the target vasculature. A typical intravascular device is approximately 100 cm long and designed to navigate a patient's tortuous anatomical structures, from the groin to the brain. During use, whether diagnostic or therapeutic (e.g., stent placement), physicians rely on finely tuned senses to safely navigate the intravascular device to the target treatment site while being guided by simultaneously captured two-dimensional x-ray images. In this regard, physician judgment is not entirely based on sight or touch, but rather on a complex interpretation of the movement of the intravascular device relative to expectations. This is a skill honed through extensive practice and experience, but it is by no means perfect.

[0003] Procedures using endovascular devices carry many risks, including accidental vessel perforation by guidewires or catheters. These risks are also significantly increased when performed by inexperienced physicians with limited technical skills. Often, a physician's nightmare is suddenly losing track of how the endovascular device is functioning, putting the patient at risk in the presence of a medical fellow-in-training.

[0004] Recently, many manufacturers have developed endovascular robotic systems that manipulate and control catheters and guidewires to perform therapeutic procedures (e.g., Corindus, available from Hansen Medical). These robotic systems offer many advantages, including the ability for physicians to move away from the X-ray source and into the safety of a cockpit, where they can electronically control the movement of endovascular devices with extremely fine resolution. Furthermore, many smaller facilities face numerous medical emergencies that require immediate access to highly skilled physicians, yet are not performed frequently enough to warrant on-site deployment. A prime example is endovascular treatment of stroke (i.e., thrombectomy). Given the sudden nature of these cases and the fact that they frequently occur late at night, it would be beneficial for physicians to be able to operate the robot remotely from home to care for patients admitted to local hospitals or to cover for colleagues working at different times.

[0005] A major obstacle to widespread adoption of such robotic systems is the lack of tactile feedback provided to physicians to assess in real time the pressure an endovascular device is exerting on the vasculature. Prior art endovascular devices (e.g., catheters) often have tubing along their length to measure fluid pressure at the catheter's distal end. This leaves physicians feeling as though they are operating the device solely by sight, without the critical feel for its operation, resulting in low adoption rates for such systems.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a method or device that provides tactile measurements that enable robotic control of catheters and guidewires that can be used by skilled physicians for diagnosis and to aid medical fellows in their practice. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment, an endovascular treatment device of the present invention comprises: (a) a proximal end configured to transmit a pressure signal to a receiver; (b) a distal end including a pressure sensor based on (i) a piezoelectric polymer layer and (ii) first and second electrodes electrically isolated from each other and in contact with the piezoelectric polymer layer, the pressure sensor deriving the pressure signal from the first and second electrodes; and (c) a device body providing one or more conductors for transmitting the pressure signal from the distal end to the proximal end. In some embodiments, the receiver interprets the pressure signal and provides a representation of the pressure signal to a user through a response via an audio, visual, or tactile interface.

[0008] In some embodiments, the conductors of the device body may comprise: (i) extending parallel to and along substantially the entire length of the core wire; (ii) comprising an insulated coil wire wrapped around the core wire for substantially the entire length of the core wire; (iii) comprising parallel wound conductive wires; (iv) comprising parallel wires extending along and wrapped around the core wire; (v) comprising conductive ink applied to the surface of an electrically insulated core wire; or (vi) a conductor threaded through a hollow nitinol hypotube that electrically insulates the stylet except at its distal end.

[0009] In one embodiment, the piezoelectric polymer layer of the pressure sensor comprises one or more piezoelectric or ferroelectric copolymers, such as a copolymer of vinylidene difluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), and has a thickness of 5.0 to 50.0 μm, preferably 10.0 to 30.0 μm, and more preferably about 20 μm.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor is formed from a core wire coated with a piezoelectric polymer layer. The core wire may include a distal portion with a straight or stepped tapered end to enhance flexibility. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric polymer layer is applied to the tapered end of the core wire using a dip coating method or by direct application. The core wire is covered with an electrically insulating hypotube (e.g., a nitinol hypotube). In that embodiment, the tapered end is exposed outside the hypotube. The pressure sensor further includes a coil wound around the piezoelectric polymer layer.

[0011] The present invention can be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary intravascular treatment device 150 (eg, a guidewire) comprising a proximal end 153, a device body 152, and a distal end 157. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a pressure sensor 200 provided in the form of a wire distal end coated with a piezoelectric polymer, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a pressure sensor 300 located at the distal end of a guidewire configured as a hypotube, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a pressure sensor 400 at the distal end of a guidewire, according to one embodiment of the present invention, including a piezoelectric polymer layer 402 and a coil 404 wrapped around the piezoelectric polymer layer 402 and serving as a return signal path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides an integrated pressure sensor at the distal end of an intravascular treatment device, such as a guidewire or catheter. The integrated pressure sensor is configured to transmit a signal representative of pressure, acceleration, or both (the "pressure signal") to the proximal end of the intravascular treatment device. The integrated pressure sensor includes one or more piezoelectric or ferroelectric copolymers, such as, for example, a copolymer of vinylidene difluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE) (e.g., P(VDF-TrFE)). P(VDF-TrFE) is available from Piezotech, a subsidiary of Arkema SA. In this detailed description, the present invention will be described in terms of a guidewire. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is also applicable to other intravascular treatment devices, such as catheters.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary intravascular treatment device 150 comprising a proximal end 153, a device body 152, and a distal end 157. An example of an intravascular treatment device 150 is a guidewire, (a) a proximal end 153 having a connection 154 to a receiver (which may be part of a pitch-catch electronic drive system that causes detection of the electrical signals); (i) receiving one or more specific electrical signals; (ii) amplifying the received signals as needed; (iii) interpreting the received signals; and (iv) notifying the user of each of the received signals using one or any combination of an audio, visual, or tactile interface response; (b) a distal end 157 provided with a piezoelectric polymer-based sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor); (c) a guidewire body 152 providing one or more conductors electrically connected to an integrated pressure sensor. The (c) guidewire body 152 described above may be of conventional guidewire construction and material, such as a guidewire including (i) a core including a nitinol wire and a Teflon (registered trademark), polyurethane, or Pebax (registered trademark) jacket, and (ii) an outer layer coated with a thin hydrophilic coating to improve lubricity when passing through the vasculature. The conductor of the guidewire main body 152 (c) is (i) one or more conductors extending parallel to the core wire along the entire length of the core wire; (ii) an insulated coil wire wrapped around the core wire over the entire length of the core wire; (iii) parallel wound conductive wires; (iv) parallel wires extending along and wrapped around the core wire; (v) a conductive ink applied to the surface of an electrically insulated core wire; or (vi) a conductor threaded through a hollow nitinol hypotube that electrically insulates the core wire forming the stylet to its distal end;

[0015] The sensor may include an approximately 20 μm thick piezoelectric polymer layer (e.g., a P(VDF-TrFE) layer) disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode and configured to transmit an electrical signal (e.g., a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode).

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 illustrates a pressure sensor 200 provided in the form of a wire distal end coated with a piezoelectric polymer. As shown in FIG. 2, a core wire 203 (i.e., a grounded nitinol guidewire) has a tapered end 204, either linear or stepped, at its distal end. By reducing the diameter of the core wire 203, the flexibility of the tapered end 204 of the core wire 203 can be improved. For example, a piezoelectric polymer layer 202 (e.g., a 20 μm thick layer) can be formed on the surface of the tapered end 204 using a dip coating method or by direct application. A conductive electrode 201, electrically connected to the proximal end (not shown), e.g., via one of the guidewire body components described above, is provided on the surface of the piezoelectric polymer layer 202 in contact with the polymer layer. The core wire 203 and pressure sensor 200 may be coated with a polymer jacket for electrical insulation and lubricity.

[0017] In some embodiments, the core wire 203 need not have a tapered end.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 illustrates a pressure sensor 300 mounted on the distal end of a hypotube-covered guidewire. As shown in FIG. 3, a core wire 303 (e.g., a nitinol core wire) is mounted as an electrically insulated inner core of the hypotube 301. The hypotube 301 provides insulation surrounding the core wire 303 except for the distal end (tip portion) of the core wire 303, where the tapered end of the core wire 303 is exposed. Similar to the pressure sensor 200 of FIG. 2, the core wire 303 may have a linear or step-like tapered end. The pressure sensor 300 is formed by covering the tapered end of the core wire 303 with a piezoelectric polymer layer 302 (e.g., a 20 μm thick layer). The piezoelectric polymer layer 302 can be formed, for example, using a dip coating method or by direct application. In this configuration, the core wire 303 functions as a return electrode. Conceptually, as an electrical device, pressure sensor 300 mimics a headphone jack.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates a pressure sensor 400 disposed at the distal end of a guidewire. The pressure sensor 400 includes a piezoelectric polymer layer 402 formed at the distal end of the guidewire and a coil 404 wound around the piezoelectric polymer layer 402 and serving as a return signal path. In FIG. 4, similar to pressure sensor 200 of FIG. 2 or pressure sensor 300 of FIG. 3, core wire 403 may have a straight or step-tapered end. Pressure sensor 400 is formed by covering the tapered end of core wire 403 with piezoelectric polymer layer 402 (e.g., a 20 μm thick layer). Piezoelectric polymer layer 402 can be formed, for example, using a dip coating method or by direct application. A coil 404 is wound around the piezoelectric polymer layer 402 (for clarity in FIG. 4, the coil 404 is shown "slid out" of the piezoelectric polymer layer 402; in this embodiment, the coil 404 is tightly wound around the piezoelectric polymer layer 402). The coil 404 is connected to the proximal end of the guidewire (not shown) by a wire 405. In this embodiment, both the coil 404 and the wire 405 are electrically insulated from the core wire 403 along the entire length of the core wire 403 and function as return electrodes relative to the active or counter electrode of the core wire 403. The guidewire, including the core wire 403, the coil 404, and the wire 405, may be covered with a non-conductive polymer jacket.

[0020] The above detailed description is provided merely to illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting. Various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intravascular treatment device, comprising: (a) a proximal end configured to transmit a pressure signal representative of pressure, acceleration, or both to a receiver; (b) a distal end including: (i) a core wire coated with a piezoelectric polymer layer and covered with an electrically insulating hypotube; and (ii) a pressure sensor based on first and second electrodes electrically isolated from each other and each in contact with the piezoelectric polymer layer, wherein the pressure sensor derives the pressure signal from the first and second electrodes; and (ii) the core wire includes a tip portion having a straight or stepped tapered end. (c) a device body portion interposed between the proximal end and the distal end portion, the device body portion providing one or more conductors for transmitting the pressure signal from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion; The receiver provides information to a user based on the pressure signal.

2. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the conductor extends parallel to the core wire along substantially the entire length of the core wire.

3. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the conductor comprises an insulated coil wire wrapped around the core wire for substantially the entire length of the core wire.

4. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the conductor comprises parallel wound conductive wires.

5. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, The conductor includes parallel wires extending along and wound around the core wire.

6. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, The conductor comprises a conductive ink applied to a surface of the core wire.

7. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the conductor is threaded through a hollow nitinol hypotube.

8. 8. The intravascular treatment device of claim 7, The endovascular treatment device further comprising a stylet electrically insulated to the distal end by the nitinol hypotube.

9. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, The receiver interprets the pressure signal and provides a representation of the pressure signal to a user through a response via an audio, visual, or tactile interface.

10. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, The intravascular treatment device is either a guidewire or a catheter.

11. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the piezoelectric polymer layer comprises one or more piezoelectric or ferroelectric copolymers.

12. 12. The intravascular treatment device of claim 11, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the piezoelectric polymer layer comprises a copolymer of vinylidene difluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE).

13. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the piezoelectric polymer layer has a thickness of 5 to 50 μm.

14. 14. The intravascular treatment device of claim 13, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the piezoelectric polymer layer has a thickness of 10.0 to 30.0 μm.

15. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the piezoelectric polymer layer is a coating layer formed directly on the surface of the core wire.

16. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, An endovascular treatment device, wherein the hypotube is made of nitinol.

17. 17. The intravascular treatment device of claim 16, An intravascular treatment device, wherein the tapered end is not electrically insulated by the hypotube.

18. 10. The intravascular treatment device of claim 1, The intravascular treatment device, wherein the pressure sensor further includes a coil wound around the piezoelectric polymer layer.

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