Adjustable Lead Assemblies for Neural Stimulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current lead assemblies with fixed contacts face challenges in precisely targeting neural elements for stimulation due to the formation of scar tissue and the conductive cerebrospinal fluid, which blurs the precision of high-density contacts, limiting the ability to adjust contact orientation post-implantation.

Innovation Solution

A lead assembly with moveable contacts that can be adjusted based on a patient-specific computer model, using an actuator to reposition the contacts for optimal stimulation, allowing for precise targeting of intended neural elements and minimizing stimulation of unintended ones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-density electrical contacts are used on the lead body, then the precision of neural element targeting is improved, but the cerebrospinal fluid cushion washes or blurs the precision resulting in no effective difference between contacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of neural element targetingVSAvoidcerebrospinal fluid conduction blurring

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lead assembly incorporates moveable contacts that can be repositioned along the lead body after implantation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to overcome the blurring effect of cerebrospinal fluid by relocating contacts to positions where precision stimulation is still effective, transforming a static limitation into a solvable problem through post-implantation reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameter of electrical contacts after implantation by using actuators to move contacts along the lead body. This parameter change allows optimization of stimulation precision by relocating contacts to positions that minimize the blurring effect of cerebrospinal fluid conduction while maximizing targeting accuracy of desired neural elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the lead is surgically stabilized at a location, then the lead position is fixed, but scar tissue forms over the lead preventing subsequent adjustment of contact orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelead position stabilityVSAvoidcontact orientation adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lead assembly incorporates moveable contacts that can be repositioned along the lead body after implantation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to overcome the blurring effect of cerebrospinal fluid by relocating contacts to positions where precision stimulation is still effective, transforming a static limitation into a solvable problem through post-implantation reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lead assembly is segmented into a stationary lead body and moveable contact components. This segmentation allows the lead body to remain stably implanted while the contact segments can be independently repositioned along the lead body using actuators, enabling adjustment without requiring removal or repositioning of the entire lead assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple smaller electrical contacts are added to the lead body, then the ability to change stimulation sites is improved, but the device complexity and programming requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation site flexibilityVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lead assembly incorporates moveable contacts that can be repositioned along the lead body after implantation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to overcome the blurring effect of cerebrospinal fluid by relocating contacts to positions where precision stimulation is still effective, transforming a static limitation into a solvable problem through post-implantation reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable contact system provides multi-functionality by combining the capabilities of multiple fixed contacts into a single repositionable contact. Instead of requiring multiple independent contacts with complex programming, a single contact can be moved to different positions along the lead body, achieving similar versatility with reduced programming complexity and simplified device operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9981123B2Lead assemblies with adjustable contacts

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUND

AI summary

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to lead assemblies for stimulating tissue. The lead assemblies can include lead bodies that are slidably coupled to each other and include one or more contacts that are moveably disposed within the slits of the lead bodies. The positions of the one or more contacts can be adjusted to change the direction of stimulation. For example, the positions of the one or more contacts can be adjusted based on theoretically-optimal positions determined from a patient-specific computer model. Parameters of the stimulation applied by the one or more contacts can also be optimized based on the patient-specific computer model.