Oscillating Guidewire Feeder Mechanism for Bending Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Percutaneous medical procedures often face difficulties in efficiently advancing and managing guidewires due to manual handling challenges, which can lead to guidewire bending and inefficiencies during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A guidewire feeder system comprising a first housing, a second housing, and a tubular member that oscillates to advance the guidewire, with a guidewire-engaging element to facilitate one-way movement, allowing for efficient advancement and withdrawal of guidewires during medical procedures while preventing bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of guidewire is used, then flexibility and ease of threading are improved, but guidewire bending and procedural efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire feeder employs a dynamic oscillating mechanism where the tubular member reciprocates relative to the housing, creating a feeding action that alternates between gripping and releasing the guidewire. This dynamic motion enables automated advancement while maintaining control, resolving the contradiction between manual handling ease and procedural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire-engaging element automatically grips and releases the guidewire through the oscillating motion of the tubular member, enabling the system to feed the guidewire without continuous manual intervention. This self-service mechanism improves procedural efficiency while reducing the risk of guidewire bending associated with manual handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual handling of guidewire is used, then adaptability to complex pathways is improved, but guidewire bending and control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular member acts as an intermediary between the operator and the guidewire, providing a controlled interface that reduces direct manual handling. The oscillating motion of the tubular member allows the guidewire to be advanced in a controlled manner, maintaining stability and reducing bending while still enabling adaptability to complex pathways through the feeding mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If guidewire-engaging element is engaged, then guidewire advancement control is improved, but ease of threading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire-engaging element operates through periodic engagement and disengagement cycles driven by the oscillating tubular member. During the engagement phase, the guidewire is gripped for controlled advancement; during the disengagement phase, the guidewire can be freely threaded. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between advancement control and threading ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A guidewire is slidable through a percutaneous medical device. A distal end of the percutaneous medical device is moved in a proximal direction away from an anatomical site of a body of a subject. Simultaneously, a position of a distal end of the guidewire, with respect to the anatomical site, is maintained by moving a housing toward another housing that is coupled to the medical device. Other embodiments are also described.