Bone-Attached Electrode Assembly for Sympathetic Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nerve stimulation systems, particularly for the sympathetic nervous system, face challenges such as potential damage due to direct contact and difficulty in accessing the sympathetic chain, which can lead to ineffective treatment and additional conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electrode assembly is designed to attach to a bone near the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain, generating an electrical field between a cathode and an anode without direct contact, allowing for precise stimulation of the sympathetic chain via an electrical field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct contact with the sympathetic chain is used for stimulation, then effective electrical stimulation is achieved, but damage to the sympathetic nervous system occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (gel or conductive fluid) between the electrode and the sympathetic chain. This intermediary allows electrical field transmission while preventing direct physical contact, thus achieving both effective stimulation and avoidance of nerve damage. The conductive medium transmits the electrical field through the tissue to reach the target nerve without requiring electrode-nerve contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based stimulation system with a field-based system. Instead of requiring physical contact between electrode and nerve, the system uses electrical fields that can penetrate tissue to reach the sympathetic chain. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes damage while maintaining stimulation effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If the sympathetic chain is accessed for stimulation, then targeted treatment is achieved, but difficulty in positioning occurs due to proximity to the spine
Solution Approach 1:
The use of a conductive intermediary substance allows the electrode to be positioned more easily on or near the bone surface while still delivering effective stimulation to the sympathetic chain. The intermediary enables field transmission through tissue, reducing the need for precise deep positioning near the spine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the electrical field dimension to achieve targeting without requiring precise mechanical positioning in three-dimensional space. By creating an electrical field that penetrates tissue, the system can target the sympathetic chain from a more accessible location, effectively adding a field-based dimension to the positioning problem.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire sympathetic chain is stimulated, then comprehensive treatment is achieved, but additional conditions associated with dysfunction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a conductive intermediary that can be selectively applied to specific segments of the sympathetic chain. This allows targeted stimulation of only the affected region rather than the entire chain, providing comprehensive treatment for the specific condition while avoiding over-stimulation of healthy areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables segmentation of the sympathetic chain treatment by allowing selective application of the conductive intermediary to specific regions. This divides the treatment into manageable segments corresponding to the affected areas, providing comprehensive care for each segment without affecting the entire chain.
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
This approach reduces the risk of damage to the sympathetic nervous system while enabling targeted and effective electrical stimulation, allowing for therapeutic treatment of conditions associated with sympathetic chain dysfunction without direct physical contact.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode assembly generates an electrical field between the cathode and the anode when power is delivered to the electrode assembly. The electrical field reaches the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain to provide electrical stimulation to the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for stimulating a sympathetic chain includes an electrode assembly that is configured to attach to a bone in proximity to a targeted portion of the sympathetic chain. The electrode assembly includes a cathode and an anode. The system also includes a power supply connected to the electrode assembly and configured to deliver power to the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly generates an electrical field between the cathode and the anode when power is delivered to the electrode assembly. The electrical field reaches the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain to provide electrical stimulation to the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain.