Variably Insulated Electrosurgical Guidewire for Mechanical Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical guidewires face a trade-off between mechanical and electrosurgical performance due to the need for insulation, compromising mechanical properties to achieve adequate electrosurgical effectiveness, especially when a significant thickness of insulation is required.
Innovation Solution
The guidewire features a variably insulated design with different thicknesses of electrical insulation materials, a thicker layer near the active electrode and a thinner layer elsewhere, optimized for mechanical strength and flexibility, with a transition portion for smooth device delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform insulation material is applied over the entire guidewire length, then electrosurgical performance is improved through minimized charge dispersion, but mechanical performance deteriorates due to reduced core wire diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire applies different insulation thicknesses to different sections: a first thickness (greater than 0.001 inches) at the distal tip for optimal electrosurgical performance, and a second thickness (less than 0.001 inches) at the shaft for adequate insulation with minimal mechanical compromise. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each section for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire is divided into distinct segments with different insulation characteristics: a distal core wire portion with thicker insulation for electrosurgical effectiveness and a shaft portion with thinner insulation for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its primary function.
2Reliability
If core wire diameter is reduced to accommodate thicker insulation, then electrosurgical effectiveness is improved, but mechanical characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thicker insulation (first thickness greater than 0.001 inches) is applied only to the distal core wire portion where electrosurgical effectiveness is critical, while the shaft portion uses thinner insulation (second thickness less than 0.001 inches). This allows the core wire diameter to be maintained at adequate levels for mechanical strength while still providing sufficient insulation where needed for electrosurgical function.
3Reliability
If thicker insulation is applied to the shaft portion, then electrosurgical performance is improved, but ability to deliver bulky devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft portion uses thinner insulation (second thickness less than 0.001 inches) to maintain a streamlined profile that facilitates smooth delivery of bulky devices through catheters, while the distal tip uses thicker insulation (first thickness greater than 0.001 inches) to ensure optimal electrosurgical performance when the tip is deployed.
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 both mechanical and electrosurgical performance, enabling efficient over-the-wire delivery of bulky devices while maintaining effective tissue vaporization.
Implementation Method 1
The remainder of the electrosurgical guidewire must be insulated to minimize charge dispersion and related loss of electrosurgical effect
Implementation Method 2
The distal tip or terminus of the electrosurgical guidewire usually serves as the 'active electrode' in the system, where electric current density is highly concentrated to effect tissue vaporization
Implementation Method 3
where electric current density is highly concentrated to effect tissue vaporization
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical guidewire including a core wire including a distal core wire portion, a shaft portion, an active electrode, a first electrical insulation material, and a second electrical insulation material. The distal core wire portion is located at a distal portion of the electrosurgical guidewire. The shaft portion is located at a proximal portion of the electrosurgical guidewire and includes an electrical connection portion configured to provide an electrical connection to an electrosurgical generator. The first electrical insulation material has a first thickness covering the distal core wire portion. The second electrical insulation material has a second thickness covering the shaft portion. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.