Guidewire Shapeable Tip Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guidewire devices face challenges in balancing torquability and shapeability, as increased friction within the vasculature hinders the transmission of torsional forces to the distal tip, and existing designs often result in a loss of customized tip shape due to resilient forces from superelastic tubes.
Innovation Solution
A guidewire device with a core and a distal section that tapers into a tube structure, featuring an inner coil and an outer coil to enhance torque transmission while maintaining a shapeable tip, utilizing materials like stainless steel, nitinol, and radiopaque materials to minimize disruption of the tip's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a distally placed micro-machined hypotube is used to transmit torque, then torque transmission is improved, but shapeability of the guidewire tip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire is segmented into distinct functional zones: a proximal torquable section with the micro-machined hypotube for torque transmission, and a distal shapeable tip section that extends beyond the tube. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the guidewire have different structural qualities - the proximal section has a rigid tube structure for torque transmission, while the distal tip has a more flexible construction (without the constraining tube) that allows it to be shaped and maintain custom configurations.
2Length of moving object
If the guidewire is passed further into the vasculature, then the target location is reached, but torque transmission deteriorates due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-machined hypotube is pre-installed on the guidewire core before insertion, creating a dedicated torque transmission pathway that is prepared in advance to handle the frictional forces that will be encountered during deep vasculature navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire uses a composite structure combining the hypotube material (for torque resistance) with the core wire material (for flexibility and navigation), creating a multi-material system that simultaneously achieves deep insertion capability and maintained torque transmission.
3Force
If a tube structure is used to direct torsional forces distally, then torque transmission is improved, but the tendency for resilient forces to disrupt tip shape increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube structure is deliberately terminated before the distal tip, extracting the torque transmission function to a specific zone while leaving the tip section free from the tube's constraining influence, allowing the tip to maintain stable custom shapes without resilient forces from the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the torque transmission function to a proximal dimension (where the tube is located) while preserving shape stability in the distal dimension (where the tip extends beyond the tube), effectively separating these two functions across different spatial dimensions of the guidewire.
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
The guidewire device effectively transmits torque to the distal tip, allowing for customizable shaping and maintaining the tip's orientation throughout procedures, overcoming the limitations of previous designs by balancing torquability and shapeability.
Implementation Method 1
The guidewire device includes an inner coil that encompasses at least a portion of the distal portion of the core and an outer coil coupled to a distal end of the tube structure and extending distally from the tube structure
Implementation Method 2
utilizing materials like stainless steel, nitinol, and radiopaque materials to minimize disruption of the tip's shape
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to guidewire devices having shapeable tips and effective torquability. A guidewire device includes a core having a proximal section and a tapered distal section. A tube structure is coupled to the core such that the tapered distal section of the core extends into and distally beyond the tube structure. The portion of the core extending distally beyond the tube forms a shapeable tip. One or more coils also extend distally beyond the tube. The tip is configured to reduce the tendency of resilient forces from the tube structure to disrupt a customized shape of the tip.