Variable Rigidity Guidewire Inner Coil for Stenosis Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guidewires with flexible distal portions face challenges in accurately determining the degree of stenosis in blood vessels and navigating through stenosed sites due to insufficient rigidity and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A guidewire design featuring a wire main body with a variable inner coil that adjusts its rigidity by changing the interval between wire rods, allowing for enhanced operability and precise placement within blood vessels, including radiopacity for improved visualization under X-ray fluoroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distal portion of the guidewire is made flexible using a coil structure, then operability and blood vessel followability are improved, but the ability to obtain sufficient tactile information about stenosed degree deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire applies local quality by providing a flexible distal portion with a coil structure for improved operability, while maintaining a relatively rigid proximal portion for stable tactile feedback. This spatial differentiation of mechanical properties allows the distal end to navigate blood vessels effectively while the proximal end transmits sufficient tactile information to the operator about stenosed degree.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible distal portion with coil structure for navigation, and a stiffer proximal portion for tactile feedback transmission. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
2Ease of operation
If the distal portion of the guidewire is made flexible, then blood vessel selectivity is improved, but the ability to pass through stenosed sites deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire implements local quality by making only the distal portion flexible through coil structure while keeping the proximal portion relatively rigid. This localized flexibility improvement enhances blood vessel selectivity and followability, while the rigid proximal section provides the necessary pushability to reliably pass through stenosed sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire structure is segmented into a flexible distal navigation section and a rigid proximal push section. This segmentation enables the distal end to selectively follow blood vessel paths while the proximal end delivers sufficient force to penetrate stenosed areas effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guidewires with different rigidities are used to address different procedural needs, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire achieves universality by integrating multiple functional characteristics into a single device: the distal coil portion provides flexibility for navigation and blood vessel followability, while the proximal rigid portion delivers pushability for stenosed site penetration. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to exchange between multiple specialized guidewires, reducing procedural complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidewire merges previously separate functions (flexible navigation guidewire and rigid penetration guidewire) into a single integrated device. The combination of coil structure at the distal end with a stiffer proximal section allows one guidewire to perform both navigation and penetration tasks that previously required multiple different guidewires.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed guidewire includes a wire main body possessing an elongated shape and a cylindrical body possessing a cylindrical shape. The distal portion of the wire main body is positioned in the cylindrical body. The guidewire has an inner coil disposed between the wire main body and the cylindrical body. The inner coil includes a wire rod wound in a spiral shape along the outer circumferential portion of the wire main body. There is an interval between the wire rods adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the wire main body that is adjustable. The guidewire also has an operation member that changes the interval between the wire rods of the inner coil.