Laser-Cut Intravascular Tube for Flexibility and Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular devices face challenges in achieving a balanced stiffness profile, particularly in requiring flexible distal ends with effective torque transmission for navigating tortuous anatomy, due to limitations in micro-machining techniques for cut geometry and parameters.
Innovation Solution
Intravascular devices with a tube member featuring distinct cut patterns and parameters, including varying pitches, cut lengths, and widths in the distal and proximal portions, along with a transition section, to enhance flexibility, torsional rigidity, and tensile strength, using laser cutting techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If micro-machining techniques are used to create reinforcement layers, then torque transmission is improved, but manufacturing speed and cut geometry flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical micro-machining techniques with laser cutting technology. The laser cutting system uses optical energy instead of mechanical cutting elements to create precise cuts in the hypotube, achieving superior cut geometry flexibility and manufacturing speed while maintaining the structural integrity needed for torque transmission in intravascular devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes laser cutting parameters (power, speed, focal position, gas pressure) to precisely control cut depth, width, and geometry. By adjusting these parameters, the system can create various cut patterns (through-cuts, partial cuts, angled cuts) that optimize both the stiffness profile for torque transmission and the manufacturing efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform cut patterns are applied throughout the tube, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but variable stiffness profile and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different cut patterns to different sections of the hypotube. The distal portion receives a first cut pattern with specific pitch and depth to optimize flexibility for navigating tortuous anatomy, while the proximal portion receives a second cut pattern to maintain stiffness for torque transmission. This localized differentiation allows the device to have varying mechanical properties along its length
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hypotube into distinct regions (distal portion and proximal portion) with different cut patterns. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each section's mechanical properties - the distal section for flexibility and trackability, and the proximal section for structural support and torque transmission - while maintaining a unified manufacturing process
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 solution provides improved flexibility and torque transmission capabilities, enabling effective navigation through complex vasculature while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
using laser cutting techniques
Data Source
AI summary
An intravascular device includes a tube member. The tube member comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion. Each of the distal portion and the proximal portion of the tube member comprises a plurality of cuts circumferentially extending around a longitudinal axis of the tube member. The plurality of cuts of the distal portion of the tube member comprises a first pitch, a first cut length, and a first uncut length, the plurality of cuts of the proximal portion of the tube member comprises a second pitch, a second cut length, and a second uncut length, and the first pitch is less than the second pitch, the first cut length is greater than the second length, and the first uncut length is less than the second uncut length.