Variable-Filar Distal Coil for Flexible Yet Buckle-Resistant Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intracorporeal medical devices face challenges in achieving optimal flexibility and stiffness characteristics, particularly at the distal end, which affects their ability to navigate complex anatomical structures effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a coil with varying filar regions and diameters, processed to have different flexibility and stiffness properties, integrated with a tubular member and optionally an outer layer, to tailor the device's performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different structural components are combined to achieve optimal flexibility and stiffness, then the device can navigate complex anatomical structures, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is designed with varying cross-sectional diameters and pitches along its length, creating different flexibility characteristics in different regions. This allows the single component to provide both flexible distal sections for navigating tortuous anatomy and stiffer proximal sections for pushability, eliminating the need to assemble multiple components with different properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies geometric parameters of the coil (cross-sectional diameter, pitch, wire diameter) along its length to achieve different mechanical properties in different regions. This parameter variation allows a single manufactured component to replace what would otherwise require multiple assembled parts, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the desired flexibility and stiffness characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different structural components are combined to achieve optimal flexibility and stiffness, then the device can navigate complex anatomical structures, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional requirements (different flexibility zones, support structures, flexibility characteristics) into a single coil component. This consolidation eliminates the need for assembling multiple separate components, thereby reducing manufacturing time and improving productivity while still achieving the optimal flexibility and stiffness distribution needed for navigating complex anatomical structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coil cross-sectional diameter is reduced through processing solutions, then the flexibility is enhanced, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The processing solutions (acid etching, electropolishing) are applied selectively to reduce the cross-sectional diameter of the coil in specific regions where enhanced flexibility is needed, such as the distal portion. The proximal regions may retain larger cross-sectional dimensions to maintain structural strength and pushability. This localized material removal allows the device to achieve both flexibility in critical navigation zones and sufficient strength in support zones within a single component.
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 tailored design enhances the device's ability to navigate tortuous anatomy while minimizing buckling, providing efficient advancement and navigation through complex vasculature.
Implementation Method 1
disposing a coil in a processing solution reduces the cross-sectional diameter of at least a portion of the filar
Implementation Method 2
disposing a coil in a processing solution reduces the cross-sectional diameter of at least a portion of the filar
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes an elongate shaft having a distal region and a coil disposed along the distal region. The coil is formed from a winding member having a first filar region and a second filar region. The winding member has a first cross-sectional diameter along the first filar region, a second cross-sectional diameter different from the first cross-sectional diameter along the second filar region, a first centroid at a first position along the first filar region and a second centroid at a second position along the second filar region. The first centroid and the second centroid are axially-aligned.