Guide Wire Transition Grooves for Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide wires for PTCA procedures face issues with blood vessel followability and pushability due to significant changes in cross-sectional shape and rigidity, leading to twisting and buckling at the transition portion, which impede effective torque and force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A guide wire design featuring a core portion with a spiral coil and a resin covering on the distal side, along with groove formations in the transition portion to reduce rigidity and prevent twisting, enhancing flexibility and reshaping capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flat plate portion with thin plate thickness is provided on the distal side of the core portion to improve flexibility, then blood vessel followability is improved to some degree, but the transverse cross sectional shape greatly changes from the transition portion over the flat plate portion, causing significant change in rigidity, leading to twisting and buckling that decreases torque transmission and blood vessel followability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cross-sectional shape parameters along the guide wire length. The core portion transitions from a circular cross-section to an oval cross-section with controlled aspect ratios. Specifically, the first transition portion has an oval cross-section with a long diameter gradually changing from the circular diameter to a larger value, while the second transition portion has an oval cross-section with a long diameter gradually changing from the larger value to the plate width. This gradual parameter change ensures smooth rigidity transition without sudden changes that would cause twisting or buckling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flat plate portion is provided on the distal side to improve reshaping capability, then the guide wire can more easily follow bent and bifurcated blood vessels, but the great change in transverse cross sectional shape from the transition portion causes twisting of the flat plate portion when the proximal portion is rotated, decreasing torquability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a dynamic gradient in the cross-sectional shape along the guide wire. The oval cross-section portions provide intermediate states between the circular main body and the flat plate, allowing progressive adaptation of rigidity. This dynamic transition structure enables the guide wire to maintain torquability while achieving reshaping capability, as the gradual shape change prevents sudden twisting moments that would occur with abrupt transitions.
3Reliability
If the distal portion is made flexible with a thin plate thickness to improve safety and blood vessel followability, then the guide wire can better conform to blood vessel shape, but the buckling of the flat plate portion in the vicinity of the boundary between the transition portion and the flat plate portion prevents effective transmission of pushing force from the proximal portion to the distal portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different cross-sectional shapes at different locations along the guide wire. The main body portion has a circular cross-section providing high rigidity for pushing force transmission, while the distal portion has a flat plate configuration providing flexibility for blood vessel followability. The transition portions have oval cross-sections that provide intermediate rigidity, ensuring smooth force transmission without buckling. This localized differentiation of structural properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and force transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A guide wire (1) includes a core portion (2A) formed of an elongated object having flexibility, in which the core portion (2A) includes a main body portion (3) formed on a proximal side, a flat plate portion (5) formed on a distal side, and a transition portion (4) which connects the main body portion (3) and the flat plate portion (5), and in which at least one groove portion extending in a direction different from a length direction is formed on a slope of the transition portion (4) in the length direction. In addition, the guide wire (1) includes a coil portion (6) disposed so as to cover the distal side of the core portion (2A).