Adjustable Shield Sleeve for Deep Intracranial Electrode RF Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Deep intracranial electrodes experience heating issues due to energy deposition from radio-frequency magnetic fields during magnetic resonance imaging, which can damage brain tissue and pose safety risks, as the flexible wire's resonance length varies with different equipment, making compatibility challenging.
Innovation Solution
A deep intracranial electrode design incorporating a flexible wire, electrode contact, connector, and adjustable shield sleeve to shield radio-frequency electromagnetic waves, with the option of using non-magnetic materials and a non-elastic sleeve for enhanced safety and compatibility, allowing the length of the flexible wire and shield sleeve to be adjusted to avoid resonance lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible wire is used to connect the electrode contact to the connector, then the electrode maintains flexibility and can be implanted into the skull, but the flexible wire absorbs radio-frequency magnetic field energy and generates heat at its end, causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic connector component is introduced as an intermediary between the flexible wire and the electrode contact. This intermediary breaks the continuous conductive path of the flexible wire, preventing it from acting as an antenna that absorbs radio-frequency energy. The connector component serves as a barrier that stops the harmful electromagnetic energy transmission while allowing the flexible wire to maintain its mechanical flexibility for implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is segmented into distinct components: the flexible wire, the non-magnetic connector component, and the electrode contact. By segmenting the previously continuous flexible wire into separate elements with a non-magnetic connector in between, the patent eliminates the antenna effect while preserving the necessary flexibility for surgical implantation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the length of the flexible wire is adjusted to avoid resonance length, then heating is reduced, but the wire becomes incompatible with different magnetic resonance equipment with varying resonance lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The non-magnetic connector component acts as an intermediary that decouples the flexible wire from the electrode assembly in terms of electromagnetic interaction. This intermediary prevents the flexible wire from forming a resonant circuit with the magnetic resonance equipment, regardless of the wire's length. The connector breaks the electromagnetic continuity, making the system compatible with various equipment without requiring precise length adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic continuous conductive path of the flexible wire by introducing a non-magnetic connector component. This extraction removes the antenna effect and resonance vulnerability from the system, allowing the flexible wire to be any length without concern for magnetic resonance compatibility. The harmful electromagnetic interaction is taken out by breaking the conductive continuity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flexible wire is made non-magnetic to reduce heating, then safety is improved, but the electrical conductivity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conduction path is segmented into two separate segments: one segment uses the flexible wire for signal transmission from the electrode contact, and the other segment uses the non-magnetic connector component to complete the circuit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the flexible wire for flexibility and signal transmission, and the connector for non-magnetic properties and electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-magnetic connector component serves as an intermediary that bridges the electrical connection between the flexible wire and electrode contact while preventing radio-frequency energy absorption. The connector mediates between the conflicting requirements of electrical conductivity and non-magnetic properties, providing a path for electrical signals while blocking harmful electromagnetic interactions.
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
The solution effectively reduces heating risks by altering the effective length of the flexible wire within the radio-frequency field, enhancing safety and compatibility with various magnetic resonance equipment, while maintaining flexibility and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the shield sleeve sheathes around the flexible wire... to shield radio-frequency electromagnetic wave generated by magnetic resonance equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A deep intracranial electrode which comprises a flexible wire, an electrode contact, a connector and a shield sleeve, one end of the flexible wire is connected to the electrode contact, the other end connected to the connector; the shield sleeve sheathes around the flexible wire, a sum of a length of a part of the flexible wire arranged outside the shield sleeve and a length of the shield sleeve being adjustable. When the shield sleeve sheaths around the flexible wire, the length of the flexible wire inside the radio-frequency magnetic field of the magnetic resonance equipment may equal to a sum of the length of the shield sleeve and a length of the flexible wire outside the shield sleeve.