Variable-Rigidity Coil Structure for Catheter Torque Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotation transmission structures in medical devices lack the ability to adjust rigidity while maintaining effective rotation transmission properties.

Innovation Solution

A rotation transmission structure with a reinforcing body that connects adjacent wires, featuring varying connection portion densities, pitches, and material moduli to adjust rigidity and improve rotation transmission properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reinforcing body is added to improve rotation transmission properties, then rotation transmission properties are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation transmission propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing body is constructed from multiple connection portions with different Young's moduli (first material with higher modulus, second material with lower modulus) to create a composite structure that optimizes both rotation transmission and rigidity control within a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the reinforcing body have different material properties - connection portions in the first region use material with higher Young's modulus while connection portions in the second region use material with lower Young's modulus, allowing localized optimization of mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the reinforcing body uses uniform material throughout, then manufacturing is simplified, but rigidity cannot be adjusted in different regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidrigidity adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing body incorporates connection portions made from different materials with different Young's moduli in different regions, enabling localized adjustment of rigidity properties while maintaining functional effectiveness in rotation transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The Young's modulus parameter is varied across different connection portions by using materials with different elastic properties, allowing the rigidity of the reinforcing body to be adjusted in different regions to match specific functional requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4098308B1Rotation transmission structure, catheter, and guide wire
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 ASAHI INTECC CO LTD
  • EP4098308B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098308B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4098308B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a technique for improving the rotation transmission performance of a rotation transmission member and enabling adjustment of the rigidity of a rotation transmission structure. A rotation transmission structure (20) is provided with: a coil body (30) formed by winding element wires (31); and a reinforcing body (40) for connecting adjacent element wires (31) of the coil body (30). The reinforced body (40) is provided such that when the element wires (31) of the coil body (30) are connected to one another, the rigidity of a predetermined region (21) in the longitudinal direction is lower than the rigidity of another region (22).