Size-Adjustable Surface Electrode for Laryngeal EMG

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laryngeal electromyography electrodes are limited in size and adaptability, making it difficult to accurately locate and monitor the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery, especially in pediatric patients, due to their fixed size and self-retaining designs, which increases the risk of vocal cord damage or paralysis.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, size-adjustable surface electrode with an electrical conductive plate and adhesive material that can be attached to an endotracheal tube or insert device, allowing for precise placement and monitoring of the cricothyroideus muscles without needing needle invasion, and is designed for use in pediatric patients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed size electrodes are used, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different patients especially pediatric patients is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different patientsVSAvoidelectrode design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode size is made adjustable through a cutting guide system with graduation marks that allow the electrode to be dynamically resized according to patient requirements, transforming a static fixed-size design into a dynamic adjustable design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode is designed with a cutting guide that segments the electrode body into adjustable sections, allowing portions to be removed to achieve the desired size for different patient anatomies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If self-retaining electrodes with built-in insertion means are used, then insertion is straightforward, but flexibility and attachability to various devices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachability to endotracheal tubeVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the electrode and the endotracheal tube, enabling attachability without requiring built-in mechanical retention structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode incorporates a flexible plate structure that can be bent and conform to the endotracheal tube shape, allowing the electrode to adapt to various device geometries while maintaining electrical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If needle invasion is used for monitoring, then monitoring accuracy is high, but risk of nerve damage and surgical complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidrisk of nerve damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invasive needle-based mechanical monitoring system is replaced with a non-invasive surface electrode system that uses adhesive attachment and flexible plate contact, eliminating the need for needle insertion while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate and continuous intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, reducing the risk of nerve damage during thyroid surgery, even for surgeons with limited experience, and is economical and efficient in use.

Implementation Method 1

There is an adhesive material on the posterior surface of the flexible plate for attachment of the attachable and size adjustable surface electrode to an endotracheal tube, insert device, postcricoid paddle or other such device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS7379767B2Attachable and size adjustable surface electrode for laryngeal electromyography

Publication Date: 2008.05.27 REA JAMES LEE

AI summary

An electrode for laryngeal electromyography that is attachable to an insert device, endotracheal tune or other similar device that is also size adjustable by cutting to size. The attachable and size adjustable surface electrode of this invention consists of a flexible plate having an anterior and a posterior surface specifically for inserting in the human laryngopharynx adjacent to the cricothyroideus muscles (the vocal cords). An electrical conductive plate is mounted on the anterior surface to provide an electric contact with the cricothyroideus muscles. An insulated wire extends from the electrical conductive plate for monitoring or delivering electrical pulses to the cricothyroideus muscles. There are marked graduations parallel to a center line on the electrical conductive plate for cutting and sizing the flexible plate and electrical conductive plate to the size of the patient's laryngopharynx. There is an adhesive material on the posterior surface of the flexible plate for attachment of the attachable and size adjustable surface electrode for laryngeal electromyography to an endotracheal tube, insert device, postcricoid paddle or other such device.