Neurostimulation Cuff Electrode with Integrated Tendril for Nerve Wrapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurostimulation leads face challenges in securely and effectively stimulating and sensing nerves, particularly in wrapping around nerves to minimize movement and ensure consistent energy delivery, which affects the efficacy of treatments for various medical and neurological disorders.
Innovation Solution
The design of neurostimulation leads with electrode cuffs that include tendril configurations extending from the cuff body, allowing for secure wrapping around nerves, with some tendrils biased to curved or coiled configurations to facilitate securement and minimize movement, and the inclusion of strain relief mechanisms to stabilize the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are secured directly to nerves using conventional leads, then electrical energy can be delivered to the nerve, but the electrodes may move or shift relative to the nerve, reducing stimulation efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The tendril is configured with a curved or coiled shape that naturally conforms to the cylindrical surface of the nerve, allowing the electrode to wrap around and secure to the nerve through its biased curved configuration rather than requiring rigid attachment structures
Solution Approach 2:
The tendril is formed from a flexible material that can be biased into a curved configuration, allowing it to wrap around the nerve and maintain contact through its inherent flexibility and shape memory rather than rigid mechanical fastening
2Ease of operation
If the lead is made more flexible to conform to nerve anatomy, then the electrode can be positioned more accurately, but the lead becomes more susceptible to movement and deformation during implantation and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lead is divided into distinct functional segments: a relatively stiff lead body for structural support and delivery, and a flexible tendril portion with electrode for nerve conformability. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its mechanical properties for its specific function without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The tendril extends from the lead body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lead, creating a three-dimensional configuration that allows the flexible wrapping portion to emerge orthogonally from the stiff delivery portion, separating the structural and conformability functions spatially
3Reliability
If the electrode cuff wraps around the nerve multiple times to ensure securement, then movement is minimized, but the insertion and positioning procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tendril is pre-formed with a curved or coiled configuration before implantation, so that when deployed, it automatically wraps around the nerve in the desired manner without requiring the surgeon to manually form multiple wraps during the procedure, thus maintaining securement while simplifying implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The tendril's biased curved configuration causes it to self-wrap around the nerve through its inherent elastic recovery or shape memory properties when deployed, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation or multiple separate wrapping steps by the surgeon
Data Source
AI summary
A neurostimulation lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a first conductor extending through the lead body. An electrode cuff can be secured relative to the distal portion of the lead body. The electrode cuff includes a cuff body, a first tendril extending from a first region of the cuff body, a second tendril extending from a second region of the cuff body and a first electrode disposed on the cuff body and electrically connected to the first conductor.