Tubular-Insulated Coil Electrode for Disc Nutrient Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intervertebral disc degeneration is characterized by a loss of water content in the nucleus pulposus, leading to decreased disc height and abnormal loading of spinal structures, with existing treatments lacking effective methods to restore nutrient supply and regenerate disc tissue.

Innovation Solution

A combined therapy involving cell therapy, growth factors, and electrochemical osmotic properties is employed, using intra- and extra-pulposus electrodes to electroosmotically drive nutrient-containing fluids into the nucleus pulposus, supported by control circuitry to regenerate disc tissue and restore nutrient supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrodes are inserted into the nucleus pulposus to deliver current for electroosmotic fluid drive, then nutrient supply and tissue regeneration are improved, but the risk of infection and mechanical damage to the disc increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient supply restorationVSAvoidinfection risk and mechanical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible insulating coating on the electrode surface that allows selective permeability. This thin film structure prevents bacterial infiltration and mechanical damage to the nucleus pulposus while permitting nutrient and current passage, thus resolving the contradiction between effective treatment and harm prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating coating acts as an intermediary layer between the electrode and the nucleus pulposus tissue. This mediator enables the electrode to deliver therapeutic current and nutrients while blocking harmful factors such as bacteria and mechanical trauma, thereby protecting the disc tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a tubular insulator is used to cover the electrode, then infection risk is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection risk reductionVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin flexible insulating coating rather than a bulky tubular insulator. This thin film provides adequate protection against infection while maintaining device simplicity and flexibility, thus resolving the contradiction between infection prevention and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating coating is applied as a simple, cost-effective layer that can be integrated into the electrode manufacturing process. This approach avoids the need for complex assembled insulator components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the electrode surface area is increased to improve nutrient delivery, then the efficiency of electroosmotic fluid drive increases, but the risk of electrolysis and tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient delivery efficiencyVSAvoidelectrolysis and tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating coating on the electrode surface prevents direct contact between the current and tissue, eliminating electrolysis. This allows the use of larger electrode surface area for improved nutrient delivery efficiency without the harmful side effect of electrolysis-induced tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating layer serves as a mediator that enables safe current delivery over larger surface areas. It prevents the harmful interaction between current and tissue while allowing the electrode to efficiently drive nutrient-containing fluid into the nucleus pulposus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method effectively regenerates disc tissue by delivering nutrients and growth factors, addressing disc degeneration and improving nutrient supply, thereby supporting cell survival and reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

electroosmotically drive nutrient-containing fluid into the nucleus pulposus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroosmosis: Electro-Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS20250375611A1Coil electrode having tubular insulation

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 DISCURE TECH LTD

AI summary

An electrode is provided for partial insertion into a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc. The electrode includes a tubular insulator, which defines a channel therethrough; and a coiled wire partially disposed in the channel of the tubular insulator so that an intra-annular longitudinal segment of the coiled wire is disposed within the channel of the tubular insulator, and a distal non-electrically-insulated longitudinal segment of the coiled wire extends distally out of a distal end of the tubular insulator. The electrode is partially insertable into the nucleus pulposus so that the distal non-electrically-insulated longitudinal segment of the coiled wire is positioned within the nucleus pulposus, the intra-annular longitudinal segment of the coiled wire is positioned within an annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc, and the tubular insulator is positioned at least partially within the annulus fibrosus. Other embodiments are also described.