Antithrombogenic Coated Pressure Sensing Guidewire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as guidewires, face challenges in effectively measuring and monitoring blood pressure within blood vessels due to issues like thrombus formation and measurement drift, which can interfere with the accuracy of pressure sensors.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensing guidewire with a tubular member having a distal portion with varying wall thickness and slots, incorporating an anti-thrombogenic coating on the inner or outer surfaces, and strategically positioning a pressure sensor within the thinned region to minimize exposure to fluid pressure, along with apertures for fluid access, reduces thrombus formation and enhances measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is exposed to fluid pressure for accurate measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but thrombus formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire is divided into distinct regions: a first region with slots for fluid access and a second region housing the pressure sensor. This segmentation allows the sensor to be protected from direct fluid exposure while still enabling pressure measurement through the thinned wall region, thereby reducing thrombus formation while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thinned wall region acts as an intermediary between the fluid-filled vessel and the pressure sensor. It transmits pressure information to the sensor while minimizing direct fluid contact, thus reducing thrombus formation on the sensor surface while still enabling accurate pressure measurement.
2Ease of manufacture
If the guidewire structure is simplified, then manufacturing ease is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire features localized variations in wall thickness, with a thinned wall region specifically designed for pressure sensing. This local quality change enables reliable pressure measurement without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire guidewire, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while improving measurement reliability.
3Reliability
If the wall thickness is reduced for sensor housing, then sensor protection is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular member has varying wall thickness along its length, with the thinned wall region localized to where the pressure sensor is housed. This allows adequate sensor protection in the critical region while maintaining sufficient structural strength in other regions of the guidewire.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire is segmented into regions with different wall thicknesses: a thinned wall region for sensor housing and stronger regions for structural support. This segmentation allows the structure to be optimized for both protection and strength in different locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces thrombus formation and maintains the accuracy of blood pressure measurements by minimizing exposure of the pressure sensor to fluid pressure and providing a pathway for blood flow, thereby preventing coagulation and ensuring reliable fractional flow reserve calculations.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-thrombogenic coating disposed on an inner surface, an outer surface, or both of the second region of the distal portion of the tubular member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
AI summary
Pressure sensing guidewires are disclosed. The pressure sensing guidewires may include a tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The distal portion may have a first wall thickness along a first region and a second wall thickness smaller than the first wall thickness along a second region. A pressure sensor may be disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member and housed within the second region. An anti-thrombogenic coating may be disposed on an inner surface, an outer surface, or both of the second region of the distal portion of the tubular member.