Articulated Electrode Guide for Nerve Denervation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode apparatuses for nerve denervation or modulation struggle to accurately and safely enclose the outer wall of arteries with distributed nerves, particularly in varying sizes and locations, and lack a simple and rapid mechanism for emergency cancellation of nerve modulation.
Innovation Solution
The electrode apparatus features a main body with a shaft, an electrode unit, an electrode guide comprising joint units and a wire, and a driving unit that controls the joint units and wire to change their displacement difference, allowing the electrode guide to transition between a wound state for encircling tubes and a rectilinear state for emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the electrode guide uses a rigid structure to maintain shape, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to varying artery sizes and locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode guide is divided into multiple joint units (first joint unit, second joint unit, third joint unit) that can independently articulate. Each joint unit contains hinges that allow relative movement between segments, enabling the guide to adapt to different artery geometries while maintaining overall structural integrity through the articulated connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode guide transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated mechanism. The joint units with hinges allow the guide to change its configuration dynamically, adjusting to various artery sizes and locations. The driving unit further enhances this dynamic capability by controlling the articulation of joint units through wire-driven mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the electrode guide is designed to rapidly enclose the artery, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple joint units and driving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The joint units are nested within the catheter shaft in a compact arrangement. The first, second, and third joint units are sequentially positioned along the shaft, with each unit containing articulated components that fold or nest when not in use. This nesting allows the complex articulated structure to be delivered through a relatively simple catheter while expanding rapidly at the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving unit utilizes the wire tensioning mechanism where pulling the wire automatically articulates the joint units in sequence. The hinges and connection structures are designed so that the wire tension directly translates into articulation motion, eliminating the need for complex motors or actuators at each joint. The system serves itself by converting simple wire pull motion into complex articulated deployment.
3Measurement precision
If the electrode guide uses a complex path control mechanism to minimize operational space, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire acts as an intermediary element between the operator's control and the joint units. By pulling or releasing the wire, the operator indirectly controls the articulation of multiple joint units in sequence. This intermediary mechanism translates simple linear wire motion into complex articulated path control, maintaining precision while simplifying the operator's interaction to a single degree of freedom (wire tension).
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode apparatus for nerve denervation or modulation includes a main body including a shaft; an electrode unit formed to be drawn out from one end of the shaft and configured to denervate or modulate at least part of nerves on a tube in a body; an electrode guide including a plurality of joint units and a wire connecting the plurality of joint units to each other and configured to guide the electrode unit; and a driving unit located inside the main body and configured to drive the joint units and the wire to protrude from the one end of the shaft. The driving unit drives the joint units in conjunction with the wire to have different displacements.