Combined Bipolar Electrode Assembly for Mouse ERG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for performing ophthalmic electrophysiology on mice are time-consuming and require skilled personnel due to the difficulty in accurately positioning active and reference electrodes, which limits the widespread use of electrophysiology in phenotyping mice for eye disease research.
Innovation Solution
A combined stimulator and bipolar electrode assembly featuring an elongated tubular light pipe with an active and reference electrode mounted along its length, allowing for precise and automatic positioning on the mouse's eye, eliminating the need for a Ganzfeld and reducing the complexity of electrode placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate needle electrodes are used for active and reference electrodes, then electrode placement flexibility is improved, but positioning precision and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the active electrode and reference electrode into a single bipolar electrode assembly with a fixed spatial relationship between electrodes. This merging approach maintains placement flexibility while ensuring precise, reproducible positioning by eliminating the need to separately position multiple independent electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar electrode assembly is pre-configured with electrodes at predetermined positions and orientations before use. This preliminary arrangement of electrodes in a known geometric configuration allows for rapid placement without requiring precise manual positioning during the procedure, thereby improving both efficiency and measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple separate electrodes are used, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple electrode functions into a single bipolar electrode assembly, combining the active and reference electrodes with their support structures into one unified device. This reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining all necessary measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar electrode assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both active and reference electrodes, offers mechanical support, defines geometric relationships, and enables various measurement configurations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If precise manual electrode positioning is required, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode positions, orientations, and geometric relationships are predetermined and fixed during manufacturing of the bipolar assembly. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming manual positioning adjustments during actual measurements, thereby improving both accuracy and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar electrode assembly is designed to self-position and self-align when placed on the subject, utilizing its inherent geometric structure to automatically achieve the correct orientation and spacing. This self-positioning capability eliminates the need for skilled manual adjustment, improving both ease of operation and productivity.
4Reliability
If specialized personnel are required for electrode placement, then measurement reliability is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar electrode assembly incorporates design features that enable automatic self-positioning and self-alignment during placement. This self-service capability allows unskilled personnel to achieve reliable, reproducible electrode positioning without requiring specialized training or expertise, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement reliability.
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
Enables quick, easy, and accurate ophthalmic electrophysiology on mice, even by unskilled personnel, with robust mechanical support for electrodes and reduced noise in signal waveforms, allowing for efficient testing without disturbing the mouse.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated tubular light pipe having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for evoking and sensing ophthalmic physiological signals in an eye, the apparatus comprising: an elongated tubular light pipe having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end terminating in a spheroid recess; an active electrode having a distal end and a proximal end, the active electrode being mounted to the elongated tubular light pipe and extending proximally along the elongated tubular light pipe so that the distal end of the active electrode terminates at the spheroid recess at the distal end of the elongated tubular light pipe; and a reference electrode having a distal end and a proximal end, the reference electrode being mounted to the elongated tubular light pipe and extending proximally along the elongated tubular light pipe so that the distal end of the reference electrode terminates at the spheroid recess at the distal end of the elongated tubular light pipe; wherein the distal end of the active electrode is located closer to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular light pipe than the distal end of the reference electrode.