Biocompatible Solid Electrode for Nerve Stimulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nerve stimulator electrodes cause immune responses and physical damage due to their mechanical properties and electrochemical reactions with biological tissues, leading to instability and side effects during long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible solid electrolyte nerve stimulator electrode with an ion diffusion barrier, composed of an ionic liquid and a biocompatible polymer matrix, is developed to mimic mechanical properties of living tissue, prevent ion exchange reactions, and utilize a capacitive charge injection mechanism to avoid direct charge transfer and electrochemical damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional metal or silicon materials are used for nerve electrodes, then electrical stimulation can be delivered, but mechanical damage and immune response occur due to high mechanical modulus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter (modulus) of the electrode material from high (metal/silicon) to low (soft material with modulus close to living tissue). This parameter change allows the electrode to deliver electrical stimulation while avoiding mechanical damage and immune response by matching the mechanical properties of the surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of soft material substrate combined with conductive material. This composite structure provides both the mechanical compliance of soft materials (to avoid damage) and the electrical conductivity needed for stimulation delivery, resolving the contradiction between mechanical safety and electrical functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive polymer materials are used to make electrodes thin and flexible, then mechanical damage is reduced, but hydrogen ions and gas are generated during oxidation/reduction reactions causing pressure on nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electrochemical reaction mechanism (oxidation/reduction) that causes harmful hydrogen ion and gas generation. By using ionic conduction instead of electron conduction with electrochemical reactions, the harmful byproducts are removed while maintaining the ability to deliver electrical stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the electrochemical charge injection mechanism with an ionic conduction mechanism. Instead of using electron transfer through oxidation/reduction reactions, the system uses ion movement through the soft material to deliver charge, eliminating the generation of harmful chemical byproducts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If metal materials are made thin and formed on flexible polymer substrates, then mechanical compatibility improves, but electrochemical reactions still cause immune response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrochemical charge injection with ionic conduction through soft materials. This replacement eliminates the electrochemical reactions at the electrode-tissue interface that cause immune responses, while maintaining mechanical compatibility through the use of soft material substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the charge injection mechanism from electrochemical (electron transfer) to ionic conduction. This parameter change in the electrical delivery mechanism eliminates harmful electrochemical reactions while preserving the ability to deliver effective neural stimulation.
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 electrode maintains a stable nervous system during body movement, suppresses ion exchange reactions, and prevents side effects by using a capacitive charge injection mechanism, allowing for long-term use without immune responses or physical damage.
Implementation Method 1
the biocompatible solid electrolyte may allow ion movement and form an electric double layer under an electric field
Implementation Method 2
form an electric double layer under an electric field
Implementation Method 3
an ion diffusion barrier is formed on the biocompatible solid electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a nerve stimulator electrode and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a nerve stimulator electrode including biocompatible solid electrolyte; and an ion diffusion barrier formed on the biocompatible solid electrolyte, wherein the biocompatible solid electrolyte includes an ionic liquid and a biocompatible polymer matrix.