Rod-Shaped Body With MRT Contrast Particles for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guidewires and catheters are not suitable for magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) procedures due to the presence of metals, which cause artifacts and inductive heating, and existing non-metallic materials lack stability, flexibility, and elasticity, making them unsuitable for effective visualization and use in MRT-guided interventions.
Innovation Solution
A rod-shaped body composed of non-metallic filaments, such as plastic or glass fibers, embedded in a non-ferromagnetic matrix material, with particles that generate artifacts in MRT, providing enhanced stiffness, flexibility, and visibility, allowing for the construction of MRT-compatible devices like catheters and guidewires that are visible over their entire length without compromising surrounding tissue identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal components are used in guidewires and catheters, then mechanical strength and stability are improved, but artifacts and inductive heating occur in MRT imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes metal components from guidewires and catheters by replacing them with non-metallic filaments (polymer, glass, or plastic fibers) embedded in a matrix material. This extraction of the harmful metal element eliminates artifacts and inductive heating while maintaining mechanical strength through the composite structure of non-metallic reinforcement fibers within the matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of non-metallic filaments (polymer, glass, or plastic fibers) embedded in a matrix material. This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical strength and stability previously achieved by metals, while being MRT-compatible. The composite design allows optimization of both mechanical properties and imaging characteristics.
2Reliability
If non-metallic materials are used to replace metals, then MRT compatibility is improved, but mechanical stability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with non-metallic filaments (polymer, glass, or plastic fibers) embedded in a matrix material to achieve both MRT compatibility and mechanical stability. The filaments provide structural reinforcement while the matrix provides flexibility and coherence, creating a balanced composite that meets both imaging and mechanical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the non-metallic composite materials, including fiber composition, matrix material properties, and reinforcement structure, to achieve the desired balance between MRT compatibility and mechanical stability. By adjusting these parameters, the device maintains adequate strength and flexibility without compromising imaging performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-metallic materials are used to replace metals, then inductive heating risk is reduced, but device visibility in MRT images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates contrast agents or markers into the non-metallic device structure that alter the magnetic resonance signal characteristics. These markers create visible contrast in MRT images through signal enhancement or suppression, allowing clear visualization of the device trajectory and position without requiring metal components that would cause harmful heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses contrast agents or markers as intermediaries between the non-metallic device structure and the MRT imaging system. These intermediaries convert the otherwise invisible non-metallic material into a visible structure by modifying local magnetic field properties, enabling detection while maintaining the safety benefits of non-metallic construction.
4Measurement precision
If high-resolution imaging is used to visualize small catheters, then device visibility is improved, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates markers or contrast agents that create strong signal changes in MRT images, making the catheter highly visible even at lower resolutions or faster imaging speeds. These markers produce sufficient contrast that high-resolution, slow imaging is no longer necessary, allowing rapid imaging sequences to adequately visualize the device while reducing imaging time.
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 enables MRT-compatible devices with improved mechanical properties and visibility, reducing the risk of inductive heating and artifacts, while maintaining stability and flexibility, allowing for effective use in MRT procedures without compromising tissue identification.
Implementation Method 1
particles which generate artifacts in magnetic resonance tomography are included into the matrix material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rod-shaped body comprised of one or more filaments and of a non-ferromagnetic matrix material. The matrix material surrounds the filament(s) and/or adheres them to one another. The rod-shaped body is also comprised of a dopant consisting of particles that generate magnetic resonance tomographic artifacts that is introduced into the matrix material. Rod-shaped bodies of this type can be used to construct guide wires, catheters and other instruments to be used in minimally invasive surgical interventions.