Conductive-Membrane Implantable Capsule for On-Demand Nerve Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chronic pain management treatments, such as conservative and surgical interventions, are inadequate in providing effective, patient-specific, and convenient pain relief without systemic side effects or addiction, particularly for patients who are non-responsive to conservative therapy and unsuitable for surgery.
Innovation Solution
An implantable capsule with a conductive membrane and biocompatible material, delivering direct current through a blocking electrode contact to block neural conduction, and a return electrode contact to receive current, powered externally without a battery, allowing customizable and reversible nerve block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If genicular nerve block with corticosteroid and local anesthetic is used, then pain relief can be achieved for up to six months, but the procedure can only be repeated at a physician's office and requires repeated injections
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable capsule enables patients to self-administer electrical nerve blocks at home without requiring physician office visits. The device is controlled by the patient through a handheld controller, allowing them to independently manage their pain relief needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is implanted during an initial procedure where the optimal location is determined by a test block. This preliminary action establishes the correct positioning, allowing subsequent treatments to be delivered effectively without repeated procedural interventions.
2Reliability
If radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves is used, then pain relief can be achieved, but each patient has different outcomes and recovery progression is highly individualized
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical nerve block parameters can be dynamically adjusted based on individual patient response. The system allows for customization of treatment duration, intensity, and frequency, adapting to each patient's specific needs and pain patterns rather than applying a fixed protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables modification of electrical stimulation parameters including amplitude, pulse width, and duration to optimize pain relief for each patient. These parameter changes allow tailoring the treatment to individual physiological responses and pain characteristics.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If an internal battery is used in the implantable capsule, then continuous operation is possible, but the capsule size increases and requires larger implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery has been extracted from the implantable capsule and relocated to an external handheld controller. This extraction allows the capsule to be miniaturized for minimally invasive implantation while the larger battery component resides externally where it does not constrain the implant size.
Solution Approach 2:
The external handheld controller serves multiple functions including housing the battery, providing wireless communication with the capsule, controlling treatment parameters, and monitoring device status. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components.
4Ease of manufacture
If a conductive membrane is used for the capsule, then electrical current can be delivered to neural tissue, but the capsule may not be fully biocompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule employs different materials for different functions: a conductive membrane at the electrode interface for electrical current delivery, and biocompatible materials for the remaining capsule structure. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous achievement of electrical functionality and biocompatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is constructed as a composite structure combining conductive materials (for current delivery) with biocompatible materials (for tissue compatibility). This composite construction allows the device to simultaneously achieve electrical functionality and biological safety.
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
Provides immediate, non-addictive, and localized pain relief with no systemic side effects, allowing patients to control their pain management through customizable dosage and location, offering an alternative to pharmacological treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking electrode contact can be configured to deliver a direct current (DC) through a portion of the conductive membrane. The DC can be configured to block conduction in the neural tissue to provide OD-ENB
Implementation Method 2
The return electrode contact can be configured to receive a return current from the neural tissue through another portion of the conductive membrane
Implementation Method 3
The powering/communication component can be configured to communicate with the power source to receive a power signal
Data Source
AI summary
Chronic pain management can be achieved by electrically anesthetizing a peripheral nerve with on-demand electrical nerve block (OD-ENB). OD-ENB can be provided by an implantable capsule. Externally, at least a portion of the capsule can be constructed of a conductive membrane and the rest of the capsule comprises a biocompatible material. A blocking electrode contact, a return electrode contact, and a powering/communication component can be within the capsule. The blocking electrode contact can deliver a direct current (DC) through a portion of the conductive membrane to block conduction in the neural tissue to provide the OD-ENB. The return electrode contact can receive a return current from the neural tissue through another portion of the conductive membrane. The powering/communication component can communicate with one or more external components located external to the patient's body to receive a power signal. Notably the capsule has no internal battery.