Enhanced Pressure Sensing Guidewires with Integrated Sensor Arrays
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present inventive concept pertains to advanced pressure sensing guidewires with integrated sensor arrays, enabling real-time pressure profiling and improved navigation through blood vessels.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent, 'Pressure sensing guidewires,' has limitations in providing accurate and reliable pressure measurements, particularly in complex blood vessel geometries. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by integrating multiple pressure sensors and temperature sensors, enabling more accurate and reliable pressure profiling.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced pressure sensing guidewire system comprises an elongated shaft with an integrated sensor array, including at least two pressure sensors spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The control unit receives pressure data from the sensor array and generates a pressure profile along the shaft. The guidewire's position can be adjusted within a blood vessel based on the generated pressure profile. Additionally, the system can include a temperature sensor to measure temperature fluctuations within the blood vessel and adjust the pressure sensing data accordingly. The flexible shaft is designed to navigate through tortuous blood vessels while maintaining accurate pressure sensing.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept's integrated sensor array and control unit provide a novel and non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent, enabling real-time pressure profiling and improved navigation through blood vessels.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include guidewires with varying sensor array configurations, different types of sensors, or alternative control unit algorithms. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use in other medical applications, such as cardiac catheterization or neurovascular interventions.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced pressure sensing guidewire system has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of interventional cardiology and neurovascular medicine. The system's ability to provide real-time pressure profiling and improved navigation through blood vessels could lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced procedure times.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B5/6851 |
| A | A61 | A61B5/02154 |
| A | A61 | A61B2562/0233 |
| A | A61 | A61B2562/0247 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically intravascular diagnostic instrumentation with a focus on pressure sensing guidewires for cardiovascular and interventional medical procedures
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, sensor integration, signal processing, and knowledge of medical imaging and diagnostic technologies with 3-5 years of professional experience
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that expanding the single pressure sensing mechanism in the source patent to a multi-sensor array with integrated control and profiling represents a predictable engineering variation. The technical challenges of sensor integration and signal processing are well-understood in medical device design, and the proposed modifications represent incremental improvements using known techniques. The PTD's proposed variations solve known limitations in pressure sensing by providing more comprehensive real-time diagnostic capabilities.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,345 |
|---|---|
| Title | Pressure sensing guidewires |
| Assignee(s) | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. |