Intravascular Monitoring Guidewire With Laser-Etched Hypotube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular diagnosis equipment for monitoring stenosis severity is bulky and consists of multiple separate parts, limiting its portability and efficiency in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A portable intravascular diagnosis apparatus featuring a monitoring guidewire with a core wire and a pressure sensor in its distal region, surrounded by a hypotube with laser etching for enhanced flexibility and torque response, paired with a compact display unit for real-time data processing and display, allowing for accurate fractional flow reserve calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing intravascular diagnosis equipment is used, then monitoring functionality is provided, but the equipment is bulky and consists of multiple separate parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate monitoring components into a single integrated guidewire assembly. The pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and core wire are merged into one cohesive device that can be inserted through a single catheter, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and improving portability while maintaining full monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the core wire is surrounded by the hypotube, which in turn is surrounded by the sensor assembly. This nested configuration allows multiple functional elements to be contained within a compact outer diameter, reducing overall device complexity and improving ease of insertion and manipulation.
2Length of moving object
If a thin core wire is used, then flexibility is improved, but torque response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a thin core wire (0.007 inches or less) with a surrounding hypotube (0.013-0.014 inches outer diameter). The hypotube is made of materials with specific mechanical properties that provide enhanced torque response and structural support, while the thin core wire maintains flexibility. This composite approach allows the device to achieve both flexibility and adequate torque response that neither component could provide alone.
3Length of moving object
If hypotube outer diameter is reduced, then flexibility is improved, but torque response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the hypotube to optimize the balance between flexibility and torque response. The outer diameter is constrained to 0.013-0.014 inches, wall thickness to 0.002-0.004 inches, and length to at least 40 cm. These parameter changes ensure the hypotube provides adequate structural support for torque transmission while maintaining the flexibility needed for navigation through vasculature.
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
Enables precise and portable monitoring of stenosis severity within the vasculature, providing quantitative measurements and aiding in treatment decisions through real-time data display and computation of fractional flow reserve, improving clinical workflow and diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the hypotube having laser etching along at most a 40cm length of a distal portion of the hypotube, wherein the hypotube has an outer diameter between 0.033 and 0.036cm (0.013 and 0.014 inches)
Data Source
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AI summary
Intravascular diagnosis apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosed technology, a monitoring guidewire includes a core wire having or made of one or more of MP35N, L605, Elgiloy, and an alloy of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and chromium, a sensor disposed in a distal region of the core wire, and a housing substantially coextensive with the core wire and surrounding the core wire, the housing being more flexible than the core wire for at least the distal portion of the housing.