Titanium-Free Co-Ni-Cr-Mo Alloy Guide Wire Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Guide wires used in intravascular procedures face challenges in balancing torque transmission and kink resistance, with existing materials like stainless steel being prone to kinking and superelastic Ni—Ti alloys not effectively transmitting torque.

Innovation Solution

The use of a substantially titanium-free Co—Ni—Cr—Mo alloy, such as MP35NLT, which offers superior stiffness and yield strength, enhancing torque transmission and kink resistance by increasing Young's and shear moduli, and reducing titanium carbide and nitride inclusions to minimize breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If stainless steel is used for guide wire, then kink resistance is improved, but torque transmission deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekink resistanceVSAvoidtorque transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a titanium-free Co-Ni-Cr-Mo alloy with specifically controlled composition ranges (Co: 30-40%, Ni: 30-40%, Cr: 15-25%, Mo: 5-15%) and controlled cold work (10-95%) to achieve optimal balance between torque transmission and kink resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite alloy system combining cobalt, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum elements to create a material that exhibits both high torque transmission capability through superior elastic properties and enhanced kink resistance through high yield strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If superelastic Ni-Ti alloy is used for guide wire, then flexibility is improved, but torque transmission deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidtorque transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates titanium from the alloy composition and adjusts the proportions of cobalt, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum to achieve a material with superior elastic moduli compared to Ni-Ti, while maintaining flexibility through controlled cold work and alloy composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If titanium is added to Co-Ni-Cr-Mo alloy, then strength is improved, but kink resistance deteriorates due to carbide and nitride inclusions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyield strengthVSAvoidkink resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts titanium from the alloy composition entirely, creating a titanium-free Co-Ni-Cr-Mo alloy that eliminates the formation of brittle titanium carbide and nitride inclusions which cause kinking, while maintaining strength through the synergistic combination of cobalt, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of titanium addition by completely removing it, thereby eliminating the harmful carbide and nitride inclusions that cause kinking, while the removed titanium's strengthening function is compensated through optimized alloy composition and cold work processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS9061088B2Guide wire core wire made from a substantially titanium-free alloy for enhanced guide wire steering response

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Guide wire devices and methods for their manufacture. Guide wire devices include an elongate guide wire member that includes at least one section fabricated from a substantially titanium-free Co—Ni—Cr—Mo alloy. The substantially titanium-free Co—Ni—Cr—Mo alloy exhibits superior stiffness (i.e., greater Young's and shear moduli) as compared to stainless steel (e.g., 304V stainless steel) and nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) and a greater yield strength as compared to stainless steel. Increasing the Young's and shear moduli can significantly improve torque transmission and steerability of the guide wire device and increasing the yield strength can significantly improve the kink resistance of the guide wire device.