Guidewire Locking Channel With Friction Control for Loop Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guidewire locking devices are cumbersome to operate and fail to prevent wire loops from forming, leading to unintended movement and potential patient trauma during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A wire locking device with a body, channel, and wire locking features that guide and immobilize guidewires, featuring channels with varying friction coefficients and protrusions to control wire movement and prevent loop formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid body with locking features is used to immobilize guidewires, then the guidewire stability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidewire stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion that interfaces with the endoscope, a channel portion that guides the wire, and a locking feature portion that secures the wire. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall device structure and making it easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If traditional locking features are used without wire guiding portions, then the device structure is simpler, but wire loops form causing unintended movement and patient trauma

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpatient trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The channel portion acts as an intermediary element between the wire and the locking feature. It provides a controlled path that guides the wire into the locking feature, preventing the wire from forming loops or bending sharply. This intermediary structure eliminates the harmful effect of wire loops that could cause patient trauma, while the channel's friction characteristics ensure proper wire engagement without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device effectively maintains guidewires in a stationary position, reducing the risk of unintended movement and loop formation, thereby minimizing patient trauma and procedure duration.

Implementation Method 1

The channel is configured to guide the wire along a path between the body and the wire locking feature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The wire is configured to slip past the protrusion during insertion of the wire into the channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3866668B1Guidewire locking device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 GYRUS ACMI INC
  • EP3866668B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3866668B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3866668B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A medical device is provided. The device includes a body that includes an opening through which a wire is configured to extend. The body further includes an edge and a skirt having only three surfaces surrounding the opening and extending further downwardly in a direction away from the opening than the edge.