Cannula With Distal Electrode for Test Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device implantation techniques lack precision, leading to inaccurate placement and increased time and expense due to the difficulty in verifying the correct positioning of implant tools and cannulas relative to target tissue sites during electrical stimulation therapy.
Innovation Solution
A cannula with an electrode at its distal end for delivering test stimulation, allowing for verification of the target site before removing the needle, and an electrical contact at the proximal end for coupling to a stimulation source, facilitating accurate placement and reducing the need for repositioning during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional implantation techniques are used without test stimulation capability, then the implantation process is simpler, but placement accuracy deteriorates leading to increased repositioning time and expense
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is merged with an electrode and electrical contact to create a multi-functional device that can both deliver test stimulation and serve as an implantation guide, eliminating the need for separate verification tools and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula serves multiple functions: it acts as an implantation guide, a test stimulation delivery device, and a positioning verification tool, allowing a single component to perform what previously required multiple separate tools and steps
2Reliability
If needle removal is performed without test stimulation verification, then the implantation process is faster, but placement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Test stimulation is performed preliminarily through the cannula before needle removal to verify correct positioning, ensuring that the implantation site is accurate before finalizing the procedure and avoiding later corrections
3Measurement precision
If multiple repositioning attempts are made to achieve accurate placement, then placement precision may improve, but time consumption and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test stimulation provides immediate feedback on cannula positioning accuracy, allowing the operator to verify correct placement before needle removal and avoiding the need for multiple repositioning attempts that would consume additional time and resources
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 use of test stimulation with the cannula reduces the time and expense associated with inaccurate implantations by ensuring precise placement of medical devices like leads and microstimulators, enhancing the efficacy of electrical stimulation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The cannula includes an electrode at the distal end of the cannula to deliver test stimulation to a target site before removing the needle of the implant tool
Implementation Method 2
a conductive element that resides within the elongated housing and electrically couples the electrode to the electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to an implant tool and cannula used to facilitate the implantation of a medical device into a patient. The implant tool includes a housing that is held by a user and a needle attached to the housing. The cannula may be positioned over the needle and delivered to a target tissue within the patient. The cannula includes an electrode at a distal portion to deliver test stimulation to confirm the location of the target site or placement of the implant tool relative to the target site before removing the needle of the implant tool. In this manner, the cannula may be repositioned within the patient until the position of the implant tool and cannula relative to the target site is verified with the test stimulation.