Side-Loading Intravascular Connector with Coaxial Cable Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intravascular devices with electronic components, such as guidewires, face challenges due to limited space, stiffness, and fragility, which affect their performance and maneuverability during procedures, particularly in navigating blood vessels and maintaining connectivity without kinking.

Innovation Solution

The development of an intravascular system with a flexible elongate member featuring a proximal connector that includes a movable second connection piece relative to a first, forming an elongated opening for easy insertion and electrical coupling, and a communication cable extending coaxially or parallel to the device, along with a bias element like a spring to ensure secure connection and reduced risk of kinking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are integrated into the guidewire, then functional capabilities are improved, but handling performance and maneuverability deteriorate due to limited space and increased stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidhandling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guidewire system is divided into separate functional segments: the flexible guidewire body for navigation and the separate proximal connector with electronic components for functionality. This segmentation allows the guidewire to maintain its flexibility and maneuverability while the electronic components are housed in the detached connector portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic components and their housing are extracted from the guidewire body and placed in a separate proximal connector. This extraction removes the source of stiffness and bulk from the critical navigation portion of the device, preserving its handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the proximal connector is attached to the guidewire, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but the guidewire becomes more fragile and prone to kinking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidresistance to kinking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The proximal connector is designed with movable connection pieces that can transition between open and closed positions. This dynamic design allows the connector to be opened for easy attachment/detachment and closed for secure electrical connection, while the overall flexible construction prevents kinking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the proximal connector is removed from the guidewire, then maneuverability is improved, but the risk of breaking during reattachment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidrisk of breaking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment features (protrusions and recesses) are pre-configured in the connector and guidewire to guide proper alignment during attachment. This preliminary alignment preparation ensures that the connection pieces engage correctly without requiring precise manual alignment, reducing the risk of breaking during reattachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If a rigid housing is used for electronic components, then structural support is improved, but flexibility and maneuverability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented so that the rigid housing containing electronic components is separated from the flexible guidewire body. The rigid housing provides structural support only where needed for electronics, while the flexible guidewire maintains its bending capabilities for navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design enhances the maneuverability and reliability of intravascular devices by ensuring secure electrical connections and reducing the likelihood of kinking, thereby improving handling and patient safety during procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a bias element like a spring to ensure secure connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3328270B1Side-loading connectors with inline cabling for use with intravascular devices and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.04.27 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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AI summary

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, side- loading electrical connectors for use with intravascular devices are provided. The side-loading electrical connector has at least one electrical contact configured to interface with an electrical connector of the intravascular device. A first connection piece of the side-loading electrical connector is movable relative to a second connection piece such that in an open position an elongated opening is formed between the first and second connection pieces to facilitate side- loading of the intravascular device into the connector and in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector of the intravascular device received between the first and second connection pieces and a communication cable extends from the connector in a direction coaxial with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the intravascular device.