Steerable Guide Wire with Expandable Assembly for Vessel Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for temporary occlusion of blood vessels are inadequate, particularly in tortuous or branched segments, as they often migrate, fracture, or fail to provide precise occlusion, leading to recurrence of venous reflux and complications.
Innovation Solution
A steerable guide wire with an expandable assembly and pivotable joint that self-anchors using an adhesive mechanism, allowing for precise and temporary occlusion of tortuous or branched vessels, and includes a conductive core for electrical stimulation to induce vasospasm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent implantable devices are used for vessel occlusion, then occlusion reliability is improved, but device migration and fracture risk increase in tortuous vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a shape-memory alloy structure that transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded occluded configuration. The dynamic shape transformation allows the device to adapt to tortuous vessel geometry while maintaining occlusion reliability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and stability in complex vascular paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes phase transformation of shape-memory alloy materials to change its mechanical properties. By controlling temperature parameters, the device transitions between soft (deliverable) and rigid (occlusive) states, enabling reliable occlusion without migration or fracture in tortuous vessels.
2Duration of action of moving object
If balloon occlusion devices are used, then temporary occlusion is achieved, but precise occlusion in tortuous or branched segments cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion device is divided into multiple segments or struts that can be independently positioned and shaped. This segmentation allows precise adaptation to tortuous and branched vessel segments while maintaining temporary occlusion capability, resolving the contradiction between duration and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates curved and angled struts designed to match the natural curvature of tortuous vessels. This geometric adaptation enables precise occlusion in non-linear vessel paths, overcoming the limitation of straight balloon devices.
3Ease of operation
If liquid sclerosant drugs are injected directly into vessels, then injection simplicity is improved, but drug effectiveness decreases due to dilution and mixing with blood
Solution Approach 1:
A temporary occlusion device is introduced as an intermediary to block blood flow and prevent dilution of the sclerosant. This mediator allows direct liquid injection while maintaining drug concentration and effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between injection simplicity and treatment reliability.
4Strength
If stent implantation is performed, then vessel support is improved, but vessel geometry changes creating new angulations and increasing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides localized support and occlusion only at the treatment site rather than reinforcing the entire vessel. This localized approach maintains vessel geometry and avoids creating new angulations, reducing mechanical stress while providing necessary support.
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 device provides reliable, temporary occlusion with reduced risk of migration and fracture, enabling precise treatment of venous segments and efficient delivery of sclerosant foams, while the electrical stimulation aids in differentiating healthy from diseased vessels.
Implementation Method 1
A steerable guide wire with an expandable assembly and pivotable joint that self-anchors using an adhesive mechanism
Implementation Method 2
includes a conductive core for electrical stimulation to induce vasospasm
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a guide wire for use in a catheter assembly comprising: a) a distal end expandable assembly, wherein said expandable assembly is capable of being changed from a retracted state to an expanded state and wherein said expandable assembly is arranged in a substantially conical configuration; b) a pivotable joint connecting said expandable assembly to said guide wire. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a catheter assembly comprising a first tube and a guide wire according to the first aspect of the present invention, located within said first tube, optionally wherein said guide wire is located in a second tube positioned within said first tube, wherein said first and/or second tube is made of or covered with a non-sticking material and wherein said first tube comprises one or more side holes. A third aspect of the present invention relates to a guide wire for use in a catheter assembly, comprising: a) an expandable assembly; b) one or a plurality of contacts positioned on said expandable assembly, wherein each contact comprises an electrode element connected to a conductor; c) an electrically conducting pivotable joint connecting said expandable assembly to said guide wire, wherein said guide wire has an insulated conductive core; and d) a power supply capable of selectively generating an electrical signal transmitted to said one or a plurality of contacts via conductive core of said guide wire.