Guidewire Core Centering Mechanism for Stable Rotational Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Guidewires experience undesirable 'whip' and 'snap' movements due to off-centering of the core within the outer tube, disrupting rotational control and increasing the risk of procedural delays and tissue injury.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of centering mechanisms, such as centering coils, polymer fillers, or inner tubes, within the annular space between the core and outer tube to maintain axial alignment and reduce misalignment, enhancing rotational control and tactile handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the core diameter is reduced to increase flexibility, then the flexibility of the guidewire is improved, but the core becomes off-center in the outer tube causing whip and snap movements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidrotational control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A centering mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the core and outer tube to maintain proper alignment. This mediator prevents the core from becoming off-center while preserving the flexibility benefits of the reduced core diameter design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The centering mechanism is applied locally at specific positions within the outer tube rather than uniformly throughout. This allows the guidewire to maintain flexibility in certain sections while providing centering support where needed to prevent whip and snap movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a centering mechanism is added to maintain core alignment, then rotational control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational controlVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering mechanism utilizes flexible materials such as elastic memory material or polymer coatings that can deform and adapt to the guidewire's bending and twisting movements. This flexibility allows the centering function to be achieved without rigid structures that would increase complexity and compromise guidewire performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The centering mechanism employs composite material structures, such as combining elastic memory material with polymer coatings or integrating multiple functional layers. These composite materials provide both centering capability and flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12551666B2Guidewire with core centering mechanism

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SCIENTIA VASCULAR INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to guidewire devices with an outer tube and a core. The distal section of the core extends into and is surrounded by the outer tube. One or more centering mechanisms are also disposed within the outer tube and are arranged to fill a portion of the annular space between the core and the inner surface of the tube. The one or more centering mechanisms thereby assist in keeping the distal section of the core axially aligned within the tube, which enables effective control of the device and minimizes undesirable whip movements of the guidewire.