Vibrational Wire Guide for Chronic Venous Clot Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interventional techniques are ineffective in treating chronic venous clots due to their hardening, which makes it difficult for guidewires to penetrate and cross, hindering the introduction of treatment devices.
Innovation Solution
A non-rotatable wire guide with a specially designed cutting head, utilizing ultrasonic vibrational movement to penetrate and core through chronic clots, creating a passageway for inserting a guidewire without rotating, and featuring a concave proximal end and convex distal end with blades or grooves for effective cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional guidewires are used to penetrate chronic clots, then the procedure should be simple, but the hardening of chronic clots prevents guidewire penetration and crossing
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting head is equipped with ultrasonic vibrational elements that generate high-frequency mechanical vibrations to cut through the hardened chronic clot material. The vibrations enable the cutting head to penetrate and core through the crosslinked collagen structure that conventional guidewires cannot penetrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical pushing action of conventional guidewires with an ultrasonic vibration-based cutting mechanism. This substitution allows the system to effectively interact with and cut through the hardened clot material by converting mechanical energy into vibrational energy at ultrasonic frequencies.
2Reliability
If a cutting head is added to enable clot penetration, then penetration capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting head is designed to perform multiple functions: it can rotate to cut through the clot, it can translate axially to penetrate the obstruction, and it can be withdrawn to core out the clot material. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into a single device component, managing complexity while enhancing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting head is positioned within the wire guide shaft, and the entire assembly is introduced through a catheter system. This nested configuration allows the complex cutting mechanism to be delivered through standard vascular access routes, managing the complexity of the cutting mechanism while maintaining compatibility with existing delivery systems.
3Productivity
If rotation is allowed for cutting, then cutting efficiency improves, but the wire guide may rotate uncontrollably in the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting head's rotation is made conditional and dynamic rather than continuous. Rotation is engaged only when needed for cutting through the clot, and the system can switch between rotational cutting mode and axial translation mode. This dynamic control allows efficient cutting while maintaining stability when rotation is not active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates control mechanisms that monitor the cutting head's position and rotational state, allowing the operator to engage or disengage rotation as needed. This feedback-based control prevents uncontrolled rotation while enabling efficient cutting when required, balancing productivity with operational stability.
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
Enables the creation of a lumen through chronic clots, allowing for the insertion of guidewires and facilitating treatment by effectively cutting through the hardened clot using ultrasonic energy and axial translation without rotation.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing ultrasonic vibrational movement to penetrate and core through chronic clots
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and the use of medical devices for the treatment of vascular conditions. Particularly, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for using a vibrational wire guide to cut and/or core through a venous obstruction, such as a chronic clot.