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Bio-Inspired Micro-Fin-Assisted Multi-Modal Vascular Intervention
Xu Liu1, Qiang Luo2, Zhuoqun Cao1
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, Kowloon, P. R. China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|November 27, 2025
Summary
New magnetic guidewires with micro-fins enhance vascular navigation. This innovation improves steerability in complex anatomy, reducing procedure time and enabling safer interventions in vascular medicine.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Precise navigation in vascular medicine is challenging due to guidewire limitations in tortuous anatomy.
- Existing magnetic guidewires require bulky external magnetic field control systems, limiting their use in confined interventional rooms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel magnetic guidewire with a micro-fin-integrated tip for enhanced multimodal vascular intervention.
- To improve guidewire control, efficiency, and maneuverability in complex vascular environments.
Main Methods:
- Development of a magnetic guidewire featuring a micro-fin-integrated tip.
- Utilizing micro-fins to generate additional torques via fluid drag and vessel wall contact, supplementing magnetic forces.
- In vivo testing in rabbit vascular models to evaluate performance compared to commercial guidewires.
Main Results:
- The micro-fin guidewire successfully navigated bifurcations using lower magnetic field strength (15 mT compared to 34 mT).
- The device demonstrated tolerance to external field misalignments up to 45 degrees.
- In vivo tests showed a ≈50% reduction in procedure time and rapid access to major arteries.
Conclusions:
- Micro-fin integration significantly enhances the control and efficiency of magnetic guidewires.
- This technology offers improved steerability and maneuverability for interventional procedures in complex vasculature.
- The novel design overcomes limitations of conventional magnetic guidewires, paving the way for safer and faster vascular interventions.
