Wire Guide Recessed Coil Flush Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire guides face challenges in navigating tortuous anatomy due to inconsistent surfaces and increased profiles from solder attachment, making it difficult to insert medical components while maintaining sufficient flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A wire guide design featuring a core member with recessed portions and coiled members, where the coiled members are spaced to allow solder between turns, reducing the overall profile and providing a smooth surface, along with a second coiled member for enhanced visibility and a shaping ribbon for customizable curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solder is used to attach the coil to the core wire, then the coil is securely fixed, but the surface becomes bumpy and the overall profile increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recessed portion in the core wire as an intermediary structure between the coil and the core wire body. This recessed portion allows the coil to be seated within it, creating a flush exterior surface while maintaining secure attachment through soldering or other bonding methods applied within the recessed area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distal region is made flexible to navigate tortuous anatomy, then navigation capability improves, but the region becomes susceptible to kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions of the wire guide. The distal region incorporates a coil structure that provides flexibility for navigating tortuous anatomy, while the proximal region maintains a more rigid construction for stability and control. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
3Reliability
If the distal region is made rigid to prevent kinking, then kink resistance improves, but the ability to navigate tortuous anatomy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire guide features a gradient of rigidity from proximal to distal regions. The proximal region is more rigid for stability, while the distal region with the coil structure becomes progressively more flexible, enabling navigation through tortuous vasculature without compromising overall structural integrity or kink resistance.
4Ease of operation
If the overall profile is reduced to facilitate insertion, then insertion ease improves, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is nested within a recessed portion of the core wire, allowing the attachment structure to be contained within the overall profile of the wire guide. This nesting approach maintains a reduced diameter profile for easy insertion while preserving the structural integrity provided by the recessed portion and secure attachment method.
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 design enhances navigability through tortuous vasculature with a reduced diameter profile and smooth surface, facilitating the advancement of medical components while maintaining flexibility and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The coil may be adhered to the core wire using techniques such as soldering
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a wire guide (20) suitable for use in a body vessel, such as a peripheral vessel. The wire guide comprises a core member (22) and a first coiled member (40), each having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the core member comprises at least one recessed portion (36), wherein the proximal end of the first coiled member is seated at least partially within the recessed portion to form a substantially flush exterior surface with the core member. The wire guide further preferably comprises a second coiled member (50) having proximal and distal ends, wherein the second coiled member is disposed distal to the first coiled member. The distal end of the first coiled member may be partially intertwined with the proximal end of. the second coiled member. A shaping ribbon (60) may be disposed substantially beneath the second coiled member to achieve a desired curvature at the distal tip of the wire guide.