Medical Guide Wire Distal Tapered Core Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical guide wires face challenges in flexibility, rotation transmission performance, and fatigue resistance when treating vascular lesions, particularly in bending and navigating through occlusions in blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A guide wire design featuring a core with a distal small-diameter body and a combined truncated cone structure, where the truncated cones are connected to enhance flexibility and rotation transmission, with a twist angle ratio between the distal small-diameter body and the truncated cone greater than 1, and a tapering outer coil to improve bending rigidity and buckling strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the guide wire uses a uniform core structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the flexibility for bending in U-shape is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The core is divided into multiple sections with different diameters: a large-diameter proximal section, a small-diameter intermediate section, and a tapered distal section. This segmentation allows each section to contribute differently to the overall performance, with the smaller distal sections providing enhanced flexibility for U-shaped bending while the larger proximal section maintains structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the core have different diameters and structural properties tailored to their specific functional requirements. The distal end has smaller diameter and tapered geometry to maximize flexibility where bending is needed, while the proximal end has larger diameter for strength and torque transmission
2Ease of manufacture
If the guide wire core is made with constant diameter, then the manufacturing is easier, but the rotation transmission performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The core diameter varies along its length, with the proximal section having larger diameter for optimal torque transmission and the distal section having smaller diameter for flexibility. This local variation in geometry optimizes rotation transmission performance where it is most needed while maintaining manufacturability
3Ease of manufacture
If the guide wire uses a simple core structure, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the fatigue resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The core is segmented into multiple sections with varying diameters, creating a more complex structure that enhances fatigue resistance. The tapered transitions between sections reduce stress concentration points, allowing the wire to better withstand repeated bending and rotation during use
Solution Approach 2:
The core diameter parameter changes progressively along the length of the guide wire, creating a tapered structure that optimizes both mechanical performance and fatigue resistance. This gradual parameter change avoids abrupt transitions that would create stress concentration
4Strength
If the guide wire distal end is made with large diameter, then the strength is higher, but the flexibility for U-shape bending is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of the core has a smaller diameter compared to the proximal end, specifically designed to provide the flexibility needed for U-shaped bending. The proximal sections maintain larger diameter for overall structural strength, while the distal sections are optimized for maneuverability
5Ease of operation
If the guide wire uses a tapered core structure, then the flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core features a tapered section only at the distal end where flexibility is most needed, while the proximal sections maintain constant diameter for simplicity. This localized application of tapering provides the necessary flexibility improvement with minimal increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a guide wire of the present invention, a distal end portion of a core has a distal small-diameter body and a combined truncated cone including a first truncated cone in order from a distal end side to a proximal end side. A twist angle of the distal small-diameter body is specified to be larger than the twist angle of the first truncated cone to increase flexibility for easily bending at the distal end. At least one truncated cone is connected on the proximal end side of the first truncated cone to form the structure of a combined truncated cone. Thus, the guide wire of the present invention has high rotation transmission performance toward the distal end side and other performances. Accordingly, the guide wire can be quickly reached to the vascular lesion and has high passability at the vascular lesion.