University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed a novel handheld oscillating wire torquing device to assist the delivery of interventional guidewires. Developed using an Eccentric Rotating Mass vibration motor (ERM), this device could improve guidewire access during percutaneous vascular interventions (PVI), lowering the risk of blood vessel trauma or complications from PVI failure, improving outcomes in patients and reducing health care costs.
Description
In PVI, a procedure used to surgically remove a blockage in a blood vessel, a guidewire is used to navigate through the vasculature from the access site to the blockage. Speed and accuracy are of the essence when performing these procedures and intravascular friction, tortuous anatomy, or calcification can all hinder the journey of the guidewire to the blockage. This delay can lead to failure of the procedure, requiring a second attempt which increases healthcare costs and has poorer patient outcomes. Oscillation of the guidewire at a high frequency using a miniature ERM could provide a cost-effective method to overcome these challenges and improve the success rates of PVI.
Applications
- Percutaneous vascular interventions
- Atherosclerotic disease
- Thrombosis
Advantages
Current approaches to navigate guidewires during PVI include manual torquing, vascular microcatheters, vascular balloons, and hydrophilic polymer-jacketed guidewires. However, these can complicate the procedure increasing the risk of thrombosis, vessel dissection, and vessel perforation. These approaches also require highly specialized equipment and training which increases the associated healthcare costs.
This novel approach is designed to be low-cost, easily manufactured, hand-held, and disposable. Through harnessing the vibrational force of a miniature ERM, guidewires can be oscillated at high frequencies. The oscillations reduce kinetic wire friction improving the navigability of the wire, reducing the risk of wire vessel trauma. Another key advantage is the lack of additional equipment to be delivered within the vasculature reducing the need for additional training and could be a standard feature of all interventional torque devices in the future.
Invention Readiness
A working prototype has been developed. Work is now required to validate and optimize this approach.
IP Status
Patent pending
