Guidewire Locking Element for Atherectomy Catheter Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved management and positioning of guidewires during interventional catheter procedures to prevent uncontrolled movement and ensure safer, faster, and more effective treatments.
Innovation Solution
The development of an atherectomy system with a guidewire management device that includes a frame with frame rails, a movable tray, and a guidewire locking element to securely position and manage the guidewire, preventing both longitudinal and rotational movement relative to the frame, allowing for controlled advancement and rotation of the atherectomy apparatus over the guidewire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guidewire is left free during interventional procedures, then ease of manipulation is improved, but uncontrolled longitudinal and rotational movement occurs causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire locking element is designed to be dynamically adjustable between locked and unlocked states. During the procedure, the guidewire can be freely manipulated when unlocked, then secured in position when locked. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both manipulation freedom and positioning stability at different procedural stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the guidewire and the atherectomy apparatus. It provides controlled interaction by allowing the guidewire to transition from a free state to a secured state, mediating between the need for manipulation freedom and the need for positioning stability.
2Reliability
If the guidewire management device includes multiple locking and securing mechanisms, then guidewire control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking and securing functions are merged into a single integrated locking element. This element simultaneously prevents both longitudinal movement and rotational movement of the guidewire through its dual-action design, resolving the contradiction by providing comprehensive control without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed with multi-functionality to address multiple control requirements simultaneously. It serves both as a longitudinal position lock and a rotational position lock, providing universal guidewire control in a single component rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An atherectomy system may include an atherectomy apparatus including a drive housing, a catheter shaft extending distally from the drive housing, and a rotatable drive shaft extending within the catheter shaft and operably coupled to the drive housing, the rotatable drive shaft having a guidewire lumen configured to receive a guidewire; and a guidewire management device including: a frame including at least one frame rail extending longitudinally; a movable tray slidably coupled to the at least one frame rail; and a guidewire locking element fixed to the frame. The drive housing may be releasably secured to the movable tray.