Sensor Guide Wire Polymer Tip Layer for Vessel Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor guide wires face challenges in navigating small and tortuous vessels due to a balance between flexibility and pushability, and lack effective sensing capabilities to detect constrictions and bends, which complicates their introduction and positioning within the body.
Innovation Solution
A sensor guide wire with a polymer layer in the tip region, which provides a smoother surface for advancement and improved sensing capabilities, and can be radioopaque for enhanced visibility during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the core wire is made more flexible to improve maneuverability, then the guide wire can navigate tortuous vessels easier, but the pushability and torquability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer layer is applied selectively only to the tip region of the core wire rather than the entire wire. This local modification provides enhanced maneuverability and sensing capabilities at the distal end while preserving the pushability and structural integrity of the proximal region, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
2Ease of operation
If a distal coil is added to improve flexibility, then the guide wire can be introduced into small vessels, but the sensing capability to detect constrictions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensing function from the traditional coil structure and relocates it to the polymer-coated tip region. The polymer layer itself serves as the sensing element that detects constrictions and bends through changes in its physical state, eliminating the need for a separate distal coil and thereby maintaining both flexibility and sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer layer changes its physical parameters (such as shape, stiffness, or surface properties) in response to mechanical stimuli like constrictions or bends in the vessel. These parameter changes enable the tip to sense and transmit information about the vessel morphology without requiring a separate sensing mechanism, thus maintaining sensing capability while achieving flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If the tip region is made smoother to improve advancement, then the guide wire can be pushed easier into vessels, but the steering response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer layer is applied locally only to the tip region of the core wire. This localized coating provides a smooth surface that facilitates easy advancement into vessels while the core wire structure maintains the steering response. The polymer layer's local presence does not compromise the overall mechanical coupling between the proximal and distal regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor guide wire for an intravascular measurement of at least one physiological or other variable in a living body may have a proximal region, a distal sensor region, and a tip region. The sensor guide wire may further comprise a sensor element arranged in the sensor region, and comprising a sensor portion for measuring the variable and to generate a sensor signal in response to the variable. Furthermore, a core wire, having a longitudinal axis A, and comprising at least a tip core wire portion, extends essentially along the tip region of the sensor guide wire. The tip core wire portion may further comprise a distal tip. At least a major part of the tip core wire portion is provided with a polymer layer essentially enclosing the at least major part. The distal tip of the tip core wire portion may further comprise an enlargement.