Cranial Plug Lucent Disk for Light, Sound, and Radio Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neurosurgical procedures lack effective mechanisms for safe and convenient transcranial access to the brain for optical viewing, imaging, and treatment using light, sound, and radio waves.
Innovation Solution
A cranial plug housing with a window recess and a lucent disk that allows passage of light, sound, and radio waves, made of materials like polymethyl methacrylate and porous polyethylene, enabling optical transparency, sonolucency, and radiolucency for imaging and treatment access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cranial plug is used for transcranial access, then structural support and protection are provided, but passage of light, sound, and radio waves is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The cranial plug is divided into multiple material zones: a rigid housing for structural support and a separate lucent disk component for wave transmission. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug combines chemically distinct materials including rigid materials (polymethyl methacrylate, cubic zirconium) for structural strength and lucent materials (porous polyethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) for wave transmission. This composite construction resolves the contradiction between strength and wave passage.
2Illumination intensity
If an opaque cranial implant is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but optical viewing and imaging are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cranial plug implements local quality by making only the window region (lucent disk) optically transparent while the rest of the housing remains opaque for structural support. This localized transparency enables optical viewing and imaging without requiring the entire device to be transparent.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug combines chemically distinct materials including rigid housing materials and lucent disk materials with different optical properties. This composite construction allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and optical transparency in different regions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid non-porous material is used, then structural strength is maximized, but sound wave transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The lucent disk is made from porous materials (porous polyethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) that allow sound waves to pass through while maintaining sufficient structural strength. The porous structure enables acoustic transmission by creating pathways for sound wave propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug segments the structural support function (handled by the rigid housing) from the acoustic transmission function (handled by the porous lucent disk). This separation allows the lucent disk to be optimized for sound transmission without compromising overall structural integrity.
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
Facilitates safe and effective transcranial access for neuroanatomy visualization and treatment by allowing unattenuated passage of light, sound, and radio waves, enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the window is optically transparent
Implementation Method 2
the window is optically translucent to all light waves
Implementation Method 3
the window is sonolucent
Implementation Method 4
the window is radiolucent
Data Source
AI summary
A cranial plug includes a cranial plug housing having a window recess with an access hole. A window is shaped and dimensioned for positioning with the window recess of the cranial plug housing.