Multi-material Core Wire for Intravascular Guide Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular guide wires with electronic, optical, or electro-optical components face performance issues due to limited space, stiffness, and fragility, leading to reduced maneuverability and increased risk of damage during procedures, along with complex assembly challenges that affect their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A guide wire with a core wire formed of multiple materials, where two different metals are co-drawn to create a robust core surrounded by an outer layer embedded with electrical conductors, allowing for improved mechanical strength, reduced need for adhesives and solder, and enhanced durability, while enabling the integration of multiple sensors like pressure, flow, and temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If guide wires contain electronic components (pressure sensors, imaging elements, conductors), then diagnostic functionality is improved, but handling performance and maneuverability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the core wire structure with electrical conductors by embedding the conductors within the multi-material core wire itself, rather than using separate conductor wires. This integration eliminates the need for separate conductor assemblies while maintaining both mechanical support and electrical signal transmission functions, thereby improving handling performance without sacrificing diagnostic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The core wire is constructed from multiple materials (e.g., stainless steel, Nitinol, polymers) with different properties. The outer material provides structural strength and support for handling, while inner materials provide flexibility and embed the conductors. This composite structure allows the guide wire to maintain good handling characteristics despite containing electronic components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If guide wires contain electronic components, then diagnostic capabilities are enhanced, but the guide wire becomes more fragile and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductors are embedded within the core wire structure itself, eliminating separate conductor wires that are prone to breaking. The conductors become an integral part of the core wire, protected by the surrounding materials, which significantly reduces the risk of conductor breakage and improves overall reliability during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-material construction provides protective layers around the conductors and sensor elements. The outer structural materials shield the fragile electronic components from mechanical damage, while the overall core wire structure is designed to withstand procedural stresses, thereby enhancing reliability.
3Reliability
If separate conductive wires are used for electronic components, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductors are integrated into the core wire during the core wire formation process itself, rather than being assembled separately. This merging of conductor installation with core wire manufacturing eliminates multiple assembly steps, reduces the need for separate conductor routing, and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductors are embedded within the core wire materials during the core wire drawing process, before the guide wire is fully assembled. This preliminary placement of conductors eliminates the need for subsequent conductor installation steps and reduces assembly complexity, while ensuring proper electrical connectivity from the outset.
4Adaptability or versatility
If space is allocated for conductors and electronic components, then functionality is improved, but the space available for supportive core structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The core wire is constructed from multiple materials with complementary properties. The outer structural materials provide the necessary strength and support, while inner materials provide space for embedding conductors and sensors. This composite approach allows both functional components and structural support to coexist within the limited space of the guide wire.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductors and electronic components are embedded within the cross-sectional area of the core wire rather than adding external bulk. By utilizing the internal dimensionality of the core wire structure, the design accommodates functional components without significantly increasing the overall outer diameter or compromising the external supportive structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire having a core wire formed of multiple materials. For example, a sensing guide wire is provided that includes a core member having an inner section and an outer section surrounding the inner section, wherein the inner section is formed of a first material and the outer section is formed of a second material that is different than the first material; and a sensing element coupled to a distal portion of the core member. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.