Cranial Implant Ferrule with Adjustable Probe Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems face challenges such as difficult fixation of lead cables, risk of lead displacement, skin irritation, erosion, infection, and potential damage from electromagnetic fields due to long and uncontrolled cable bundles.

Innovation Solution

A cranial implant device featuring a ferrule with a first hole and a plate with a second hole, allowing for adjustable positioning of the probe, which reduces the need for excess cable length and minimizes irritation and infection risks while providing a safer and more user-friendly solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If long cable bundles are used to connect the IPG to the probe, then the probe can be placed at various positions, but the cables cause skin irritation, erosion, and infection risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe placement flexibilityVSAvoidskin irritation and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful cable component from the system by implementing direct cranial implantation of the IPG device into the skull, eliminating the need for long subcutaneous cables that cause skin irritation, erosion, and infection risks while maintaining probe placement flexibility through direct integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If long cables are used to allow probe manipulation before implantation, then the device can be adjusted, but the excess cable length causes mechanical forces on the probe and potential brain tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe manipulation flexibilityVSAvoidmechanical damage to brain tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-integrating the IPG device directly into the skull during the implantation procedure, allowing all necessary probe adjustments and manipulations to be completed before final fixation, thereby eliminating excess cable length that could cause mechanical damage to brain tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the IPG is mounted in a ferrule intracranially, then cable-related infections are reduced, but the probe positioning is limited to the middle of the first hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidprobe positioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IPG device structure into modular components including a ferrule for cranial mounting and an adjustable positioning mechanism with multiple holes, allowing the probe to be positioned at different locations while maintaining the infection-prevention benefits of intracranial mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10220200B2Device for cranial implantation, and system and use thereof

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 MEDTRONIC BAKKEN RES CENT

AI summary

A device for cranial implantation includes a ferrule and a plate for placement in the ferrule. Furthermore, a neurological implant system includes a probe and a device for cranial implantation.