Distal Shield for Guidewire Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Guidewires with delicate extreme distal ends tend to migrate or become damaged during transportation and handling due to their structural fragility and tendency to curve, posing a risk of bending or other damage during shipping, storage, and medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A protective shield or packaging insert with perpendicularly disposed hooks or engagement means is used to retain the guidewire carrier adjacent to a base, preventing the distal tip from being bent or damaged, featuring a flat base with L-shaped hooks that snap onto the carrier coils to secure the guidewire in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the guidewire is stored in a tubular carrier with larger inside diameter, then ease of handling and fluid flushing are improved, but the guidewire tip may migrate or emerge from the dispenser causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidguidewire tip protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective shield or packaging insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the guidewire tip and the external environment. This shield prevents direct contact and potential damage to the delicate guidewire tip while allowing the guidewire to remain in the tubular carrier for ease of handling and fluid flushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective packaging system is segmented into distinct components: the tubular carrier for holding the guidewire and a separate protective shield or insert specifically designed to protect the distal tip. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the guidewire tip is intentionally maintained outside the carrier, then its memory configuration (J-tip or hooked) is preserved, but the tip is exposed to bending or damage during shipping and storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidewire memory configurationVSAvoidbending or damage during shipping

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield is designed to counteract potential harmful effects before they occur. By positioning the shield to cover or support the guidewire tip beforehand, the system prevents bending or damage that could occur during shipping and storage, while still allowing the tip to maintain its memory configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective packaging insert provides beforehand cushioning or support for the delicate guidewire tip. This protective element is in place before any potential damage can occur, cushioning the tip against bending forces while preserving its intended configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the guidewire tip is covered or supported by a protective shield, then damage during handling is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidewire tip protectionVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield or packaging insert is designed using flexible shells or thin film materials that can conform to the guidewire shape while providing protection. This approach maintains simplicity in the protective component design while effectively preventing damage to the guidewire tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9345854B2Distal shield for packaged guidewire

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 LAKE REGION MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A distal tip protector, protection shield, or packaging insert to protect the distal segment of a guidewire projecting from a guidewire carrier.