Shape Memory Guide Wire with Temperature-Controlled Distal Tip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Guide wires with fixed distal portions struggle to navigate tortuous body channels, particularly when entering branch sections, due to their rigid shape, making it difficult to access specific inner body areas effectively.

Innovation Solution

A guide wire with a distal portion made of shape memory material that can change shape in response to temperature, allowing it to transition from a straight to a curved configuration, facilitating navigation through body channels by controlling the shape memory alloy's phase changes using a fluid passage to cool or heat the distal portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the distal portion of the guide wire has a fixed shape (straight or curved), then the guide wire structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to navigate through tortuous body channels and enter branch sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidguide wire structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distal portion of the guide wire is constructed from shape memory material that can dynamically change its shape between a first configuration (straight or curved) and a second configuration (different shape) in response to temperature changes. This dynamic shape transformation enables the guide wire to adapt to tortuous body channels and enter branch sections, resolving the contradiction between navigation capability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shape memory material undergoes phase changes (austenite martensitic transformation) triggered by temperature parameter changes. By controlling the temperature of the distal portion, the guide wire can transition between different shapes, enabling easy navigation through complex body channels while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distal portion is made of shape memory material with two way memory effect, then the guide wire can adapt its shape to navigate body channels easily, but the device complexity increases due to the need for fluid passage and temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoidfluid passage system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wire design integrates multiple functions into a single device: the elongated member serves as both the structural backbone and the fluid passage conduit. The fluid passage system is used for dual purposes - cooling the distal portion to induce shape changes for navigation, and potentially for delivering therapeutic agents. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, mitigating the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If fluid is used to cool or heat the distal portion to control shape changes, then navigation through tortuous channels is improved, but the time required to reach target sites increases due to temperature control cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation easeVSAvoidtime to reach target

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wire is pre-cooled to a temperature below the transition temperature of the shape memory material before insertion into the body. This preliminary cooling allows the distal portion to be in the desired shape configuration (e.g., curved or J-shaped) for easy insertion and initial navigation. Once in position, the shape can be changed by heating, eliminating the need for time-consuming cooling cycles during the procedure and reducing overall treatment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables easier navigation through tortuous body channels by allowing the guide wire to adapt its shape, reducing the time to reach target sites and minimizing exposure to fluoroscopy, while maintaining shape memory properties through multiple phase changes.

Implementation Method 1

The distal portion of the elongated member can include a shape memory material with two way memory effect. The shape memory material can have a transition temperature less than a body temperature such that the distal portion has a first shape at the body temperature and a second shape different from the first shape at a temperature less than the transition temperature.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

maintaining shape memory properties through multiple phase changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10149965B2Shape memory guide wire

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A guide wire is described for navigating body channels such as vessels. The guide wire can include an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a fluid passage to transport a fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The distal portion of the elongated member can include a shape memory material with two way memory effect. The shape memory material can have a transition temperature less than a body temperature such that the distal portion has a first shape at the body temperature and a second shape different from the first shape at a temperature less than the transition temperature.