Guide Wire Grid Marker for Rotation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide wires with monochromatic markers lack steerability due to ambiguous visual cues, causing operators to misinterpret rotation as axial movement, leading to poor control during insertion and navigation in intracorporeal lumens.

Innovation Solution

A guide wire with a grid-like marker system featuring intersecting first and second line-form portions, where the pitch and width of each portion can vary, providing distinct visual cues for rotation and axial movement, and a coating layer for enhanced visibility and reduced friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a helical mark is provided on the guide wire surface, then the guide wire becomes visible under fluoroscopy, but the operator cannot distinguish between rotation and axial movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of guide wireVSAvoidsteerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The marker is segmented into two distinct line-form portions (first and second lines) that intersect to form a grid-like pattern. This segmentation allows each line to provide different visual information: one line indicates axial movement while the other indicates rotation, enabling the operator to distinguish between these two types of motion clearly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The marker transitions from a single helical line (one-dimensional indication) to an intersecting grid pattern formed by two helical lines (two-dimensional indication). This dimensional enhancement allows the marker to simultaneously encode both axial position and rotational angle, providing comprehensive motion feedback in multiple dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a monochromatic marker is used on the guide wire, then the guide wire structure remains simple, but the marker cannot provide clear visual feedback for both rotation and movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarker structureVSAvoidmotion feedback information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The marker is divided into two functional segments (first and second line-form portions) with different helical parameters. This segmentation enables each segment to convey specific motion information independently, preventing information loss while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using conventional techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If the marker lines are made wider to improve visibility, then the marker becomes more visible, but the guide wire diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarker visibilityVSAvoidguide wire diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The marker lines are designed with optimized local dimensions where the width and pitch parameters are carefully selected to provide sufficient visual contrast and information differentiation. This local optimization ensures adequate visibility while minimizing the overall diameter increase of the guide wire, balancing visual requirements with dimensional constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2229974B1Guide wire
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 TERUMO KK
  • EP2229974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2229974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2229974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a guide wire, which comprises a lengthy wire body, and a marker disposed in at least the tip side portion of the wire body all over the circumference and having a function to indicate the position of the wire body in a living body. The marker is formed into a lattice shape as a whole by causing a first filament portion and a second filament portion to intersect with each other at a plurality of portions. Moreover, the intersecting portions of the first filament portion and the second filament portion are formed in plurality in the marker. Noting a predetermined one of those intersecting portions, therefore, the predetermined intersecting portion looks, as if it moves radially of the guide wire, when the guide wire is turned on its axis. Thus, it is possible to confirm reliably that the guide wire has been turned.