Twisted Fiber Wire Coated Polymer Jacket Dilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dilation instruments for anatomical passageways require multiple instruments and adjustments for different procedures, and lack efficient visualization and control for single-operator use.

Innovation Solution

A dilation instrument with a guidewire and dilation catheter system that includes a flexible shaft assembly with deflection control, allowing for adjustable exit angles and rotation, and a fiber wire with a twisted fiber bundle core and flexible polymer jacket for enhanced flexibility and position sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional dilation instruments are used, then multiple instruments and adjustments are required for different procedures, but this increases device complexity and procedure time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different anatomical passagewaysVSAvoidnumber of instruments required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidewire is designed with multiple functions: it provides illumination through the distal light source, enables positioning through flexibility and deflection capability, and serves as a guide for advancing the dilation catheter. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate visualization and positioning instruments, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If traditional guidewires are used, then visualization of guidewire position is limited, but this worsens measurement precision and control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization of guidewire positionVSAvoidposition confirmation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guidewire incorporates a light source at its distal end that illuminates surrounding tissue, creating visible light patterns that indicate the guidewire's position and orientation. This optical signaling method transforms invisible guidewire placement into visible feedback, directly improving both visualization and position confirmation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If rigid wires are used for push-pull control, then deflection control is possible, but this decreases flexibility and increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection controlVSAvoidwire flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guidewire is constructed as a flexible wire that can be deflected by pushing or pulling its proximal portion. This flexible construction eliminates the need for rigid mechanical deflection mechanisms while maintaining the ability to control the guidewire's distal tip position, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11686043B2Pull wire with coated fibers

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 ACCLARENT INC

AI summary

A method is provided for making a fiber wire having a fiber bundle core and a polymer jacket. The method includes rotating a spool of fiber bundle about a first rotational axis to progressively unwind the fiber bundle from the spool. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of continuous synthetic fiber filaments. While the spool is rotated about the first rotational axis, the spool is simultaneously rotated about a second rotational axis to thereby twist the unwound fiber bundle about its longitudinal axis. The method further includes coating the twisted fiber bundle with a molten polymer, and permitting the molten polymer to cool to define a flexible outer jacket that encapsulates the twisted fiber bundle.