Medical Guidewire Resin Layer Prevents Coil Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical guidewires with existing configurations face damage when bent or curved due to interference between outer and inner coiled bodies, leading to deformation or breakage, and the use of resin or foamy substances to prevent this results in excessive hardening and loss of flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A medical guidewire design featuring a core shaft, an outer coiled body, and an inner coiled body with a resin layer formed only between them, preventing contact and deformation while maintaining flexibility by suppressing excessive bending or curvature of the core shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If resin or foamy substance is filled between the outer coiled body and the core shaft to prevent interference, then the bonding strength and structural stability are improved, but the flexibility of the front end portion is lost and the guidewire may damage organs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength between core shaft and coiled bodyVSAvoidflexibility of front end portion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by filling resin only in specific regions: between the core shaft and inner coiled body, and between inner and outer coiled bodies at portions where they contact each other, while leaving other regions without resin to maintain flexibility. This localized application resolves the contradiction by providing structural stability only where interference occurs, preserving flexibility in non-interference zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If outer coiled body and inner coiled body are arranged concentrically to improve flexibility and rotational force transmissibility, then the guidewire can be bent and curved, but the coiled bodies interfere with each other causing deformation or breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and rotational force transmissibilityVSAvoiddamage resistance of front end portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces resin as an intermediary substance between the inner and outer coiled bodies. This resin layer acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact and interference between the coiled bodies when the guidewire is bent or curved, thereby maintaining both the flexibility provided by the concentric arrangement and the reliability by preventing deformation or breakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resin is filled in advance between the coiled bodies to provide beforehand cushioning. This pre-positioned resin cushion prevents harmful interference before it can occur during bending or curving operations, allowing the concentric coiled body structure to maintain its flexibility while being protected from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If resin is filled between the outer coiled body and core shaft to prevent interference, then the structural stability is improved, but the front end portion becomes excessively hard and loses flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stability of guidewireVSAvoidflexibility of front end portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by restricting resin filling to specific locations: between the core shaft and inner coiled body, and between inner and outer coiled bodies at contact portions. This localized resin placement provides structural stability only where needed to prevent interference, while leaving other areas resin-free to maintain the flexibility required for ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2514475B1Medical guidewire
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 ASAHI INTECC CO LTD
  • EP2514475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2514475B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2514475B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a medical guidewire (1A) having a flexible and robust front end portion. The medical guidewire (1A) includes a resin layer (20). The resin layer (20) is formed by filling a resin material between an outer coiled body (3) and an inner coiled body (10). Even when the medical guidewire (1A) is bent or curved, therefore, the outer coiled body (3) and the inner coiled body (10) do not interfere with each other. In addition, the front end portion of the medical guidewire (1A) does not become too hard. Therefore, the medical guidewire (1A) has excellent flexibility and robustness.