Coupling Wire Guide Tip for Vascular Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 0.014 inch floppy wire guides face challenges in navigating tortuous vessels due to conflicting requirements of flexibility and rigidity, leading to complications during procedures like balloon angioplasty, and the process of introducing a supplemental wire guide is time-consuming and prone to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A coupling wire guide with a resilient tip portion that can transition between aligned and non-aligned positions, allowing for easy and reliable traversal alongside a previously introduced wire guide, while maintaining a low profile for improved maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional 0.014 inch floppy wire guide is used for navigation through tortuous vessels, then the wire guide can navigate moderately tortuous vessels, but the wire guide tip may prolapse away from the target site and cannot provide adequate support to cross lesions or support medical catheter devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supplemental wire guide that is slidably coupled to and nested alongside the primary wire guide. The supplemental wire guide has a coupling head that interfaces with the primary wire guide, allowing it to be positioned and secured in a nested configuration. This nested structure enables the supplemental wire guide to provide additional support and stabilization to the primary wire guide without interfering with its navigation capability through tortuous vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the wire guide system by introducing a supplemental wire guide with different mechanical properties (greater rigidity and support capability) compared to the primary floppy wire guide. The supplemental wire guide has a coupling head with specific geometric parameters that allow it to interface with the primary wire guide while maintaining distinct mechanical characteristics that provide enhanced support without compromising navigation.
2Reliability
If a heavy-duty wire guide is used to provide sufficient rigidity and support, then the wire guide can cross lesions and support medical catheter devices, but the wire guide is too stiff for safe introduction and may cause injury to the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wire guide function into two separate components: a primary wire guide designed for safe navigation and introduction through tortuous vessels with minimal vessel injury risk, and a supplemental wire guide designed to provide rigid support and stabilization. Each component is optimized for its specific function, with the primary wire guide maintaining flexibility for safe introduction and the supplemental wire guide providing the necessary rigidity only when needed for support.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental wire guide is nested alongside the primary wire guide, allowing the system to combine the navigation capabilities of the floppy primary wire guide with the support capabilities of the rigid supplemental wire guide. The nested configuration enables both wire guides to coexist in the vascular system simultaneously, each performing its specialized function without interfering with the other.
3Reliability
If a supplemental wire guide is introduced to enhance the primary wire guide, then the wire guide provides greater support and enhances tracking of medical devices, but the navigation process becomes time-consuming and prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental wire guide is designed with a coupling head that can be preliminarily positioned and coupled to the primary wire guide in a controlled manner. The coupling mechanism allows for preliminary alignment and secure attachment before the wire guides are fully deployed in the target location, streamlining the navigation process and reducing the time required for supplemental wire guide introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling head acts as an intermediary mechanism between the supplemental wire guide and the primary wire guide. It facilitates smooth coupling and decoupling operations, enabling the supplemental wire guide to be introduced and positioned alongside the primary wire guide with minimal disruption to the navigation process and reduced contamination risk.
4Ease of operation
If the supplemental wire guide is made resilient to facilitate coupling, then the wire guide can transition between aligned and non-aligned positions for easy coupling, but the wire guide may deform during traversal through the vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the distal tip portion of the supplemental wire guide resilient and flexible, while the main body of the wire guide maintains its structural stability. The coupling head and proximal portion are constructed with sufficient rigidity to maintain the wire guide's shape and prevent deformation during vascular traversal, while the distal tip portion is made resilient to facilitate coupling with the primary wire guide through controlled flexing and alignment changes.
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
Facilitates smooth translation and secure coupling with the primary wire guide, reducing procedural time and complications by minimizing deformation and contamination risks, enhancing support for medical devices during intracorporeal procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The tip portion includes a coupling head defining a coupling passageway. The coupling head is operable between at least two positions including a first position generally aligned with the main body and a second position non-aligned with the main body.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide includes a main body having a distal section. The distal section includes an outer wire disposed over a safety wire. A loop wire is connected to the safety wire at two axially spaced points. At least a portion of the loop wire is positioned outside of the outer wire to define a loop area sized to receive the previously introduced wire guide.