Intravascular Device Connector Segmentation and Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intravascular guidewires with electronic components face challenges due to limited space, stiffness, and fragility, affecting their performance and maneuverability during procedures, particularly in the context of heart disease treatments where precise localization and monitoring of stenosis are crucial.

Innovation Solution

The development of improved connectors and connector portions for intravascular devices, involving methods such as exposing conductors within tubular members, positioning conductive and insulating members, and electrically coupling them to facilitate efficient communication and data transmission while minimizing the impact of space constraints and stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electronic components are integrated into guidewires to enable pressure sensing and data transmission, then measurement capability is improved, but handling performance and maneuverability deteriorate due to space constraints, stiffness, and fragility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure measurement capabilityVSAvoidhandling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guidewire is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible distal portion with electronic components for measurement, and a separate proximal connector portion for data transmission. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the distal portion for maneuverability and the proximal portion for connectivity without compromising overall performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic components (pressure sensors, conductors) are nested within the guidewire structure, with conductors embedded in the tubular member wall. This nesting approach minimizes the space required for electronic components while maintaining the guidewire's flexibility and maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the proximal connector portion is made small to fit within the guidewire, then device size is reduced, but the connector becomes fragile and prone to kinking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector sizeVSAvoidfragility and kinking resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proximal connector portion is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to bend and flex without kinking. The connector can be detached and reattached during procedures, providing operational flexibility while maintaining structural integrity through its flexible yet durable construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the guidewire is coupled to the proximal connector for data transmission, then communication capability is improved, but maneuverability and handling are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of the proximal connector from the distal guidewire portion allows the connector to remain attached for continuous data transmission while the distal portion can be freely manipulated during the procedure. This segmentation resolves the conflict between maintaining communication capability and ensuring maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If space is allocated for conductors and electronic components, then measurement functionality is enabled, but the core wire space is reduced affecting guidewire performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic functionalityVSAvoidcore wire space allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Conductors are embedded within the wall structure of the tubular member, utilizing the wall thickness space rather than occupying the central lumen. This nesting approach maximizes the core wire space while accommodating multiple conductors and electronic components, maintaining guidewire performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductors are arranged in a radial pattern around the central axis, utilizing the circumferential dimension of the tubular member wall. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple conductors to be packed efficiently without compromising the central core wire space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10251569B2Connection structures for intravascular devices and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORP

AI summary

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.