Guide Wire Distal Structure for Flexibility Without Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide wires lack sufficient flexibility and breakage prevention mechanisms, particularly when the distal end gets stuck in hardened lesions, leading to potential breakage of the core shaft due to increased tensile load.

Innovation Solution

A guide wire design featuring a core shaft with pseudoelastic properties and an auxiliary wire parallel to the distal end, which is more flexible, stronger, and has shorter breaking elongation than the core shaft, preventing core shaft breakage by distributing tensile stress to the auxiliary wire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the outer diameter of the safety wire is increased to prevent breakage due to tensile load, then the breaking strength is improved, but the flexibility of the distal end portion decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreaking strength of safety wireVSAvoidflexibility of distal end portion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wire is segmented into a core shaft and a safety wire, where the core shaft handles primary structural functions and the safety wire provides backup support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the core shaft can be made thinner for flexibility while the safety wire provides the necessary strength reserve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety wire acts as a pre-prepared backup mechanism that cushions against the harmful effect of core shaft breakage. By having the safety wire in place beforehand, the system prepares for potential failure of the core shaft, allowing the distal end to be pulled back safely without causing damage to the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the core shaft is made more flexible to navigate curved blood vessels, then the ease of operation is improved, but the breaking strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for navigating curvatureVSAvoidbreaking strength of core shaft

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wire structure is divided into a core shaft and a safety wire, allowing the core shaft to be optimized for flexibility while the safety wire provides the strength reserve. This segmentation enables the core shaft to be thinner and more flexible for navigating vessel curvature, while the safety wire ensures overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety wire serves as a pre-prepared backup that cushions against the weakness of the thinner core shaft. By having the safety wire in place, the system compensates for the reduced breaking strength of the flexible core shaft, allowing the guide wire to navigate curved vessels safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the distal end portion is made thinner to improve flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the breaking strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of distal end portionVSAvoidbreaking strength of distal end portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wire is segmented into a core shaft and a safety wire, with the safety wire running parallel to the distal end portion. This allows the distal end to be made thinner for flexibility while the safety wire provides a backup strength mechanism that prevents complete failure if the core shaft breaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety wire acts as a pre-prepared cushion against the reduced breaking strength of the thinner distal end portion. By having this backup mechanism in place beforehand, the system allows the distal end to be optimized for flexibility while ensuring that breakage does not lead to dangerous situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 design maintains the flexibility of the distal end while effectively preventing core shaft breakage by ensuring the auxiliary wire absorbs excessive stress, thus maintaining operability and avoiding plastic deformation.

Implementation Method 1

a distal end portion having a pseudoelastic property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPseudoelastic property: Pseudoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

the auxiliary wire is more flexible than the distal end portion of the core shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12594404B2Guide wire

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 ASAHI INTECC CO LTD

AI summary

A guide wire including a core shaft including a distal end portion having a pseudoelastic property, a tip joined to a distal end of the distal end portion of the core shaft, and an auxiliary wire that is arranged parallel to the distal end portion of the core shaft. The auxiliary wire has a distal end joined to the tip and a rear end joined to the core shaft. The auxiliary wire has a high flexibility, a high breaking strength, and a short breaking elongation compared to the distal end portion of the core shaft.