Directional Deep Brain Stimulation via Independent Electrode Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deep brain stimulation devices require additional surgery when electrode contacts are displaced from the target center, leading to suboptimal therapeutic efficacy and increased risk of side effects, as existing technologies lack a non-invasive method to correct electrode placement.
Innovation Solution
A deep brain stimulation system with independently controllable cathode and anode contacts, controlled by an implantable pulse generator, allows for directional current field adjustment by selectively activating contacts on ipsilateral and contralateral electrode leads or separate plates to focus the electric field on the target area, potentially avoiding surgical re-implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrode contacts are displaced from the target center, then therapeutic efficacy decreases and side effects increase, but surgical re-implantation increases patient risk and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of cathode and anode contacts based on electrode displacement detection. The controller selectively activates different contact combinations (monopolar, bipolar, tripolar) to adapt the current field to the actual electrode position, maintaining therapeutic efficacy while avoiding side effects without requiring surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes electrical stimulation parameters (voltage, current distribution, contact configuration) to compensate for electrode displacement. By modifying these parameters, the system redirects the current field to reach the intended target area despite physical displacement of the electrode contacts
2Area of stationary object
If traditional monopolar or bipolar stimulation is used with displaced electrodes, then current field coverage is limited, but directional control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode lead is segmented into multiple independently controllable contacts (at least three contacts). This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate specific contact combinations to create directional current fields, providing both broad coverage and precise directional control that neither monopolar nor bipolar configurations can achieve alone
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional two-point (monopolar/bipolar) stimulation to multi-point stimulation, adding spatial dimensionality to the current field configuration. This enables three-dimensional shaping of the current field to simultaneously achieve broad coverage and precise directional targeting
3Measurement precision
If additional surgery is performed to re-implant electrodes, then precise target placement can be achieved, but patient risk and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates detection of electrode contact displacement and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the stimulation configuration. The controller detects which contacts are displaced and selectively activates appropriate contact combinations to compensate, eliminating the need for surgical re-implantation while maintaining precise target stimulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting electrode displacement and adjusting its own stimulation parameters and contact configuration. This self-service capability allows the device to compensate for placement errors without external surgical intervention, reducing patient risk and device complexity
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 precise adjustment of the electric field to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects and avoiding the need for additional surgery by retrofitting existing implants with the ability to correct suboptimal electrode placement.
Implementation Method 1
selecting one or more cathode contacts on one of an ipsilateral and a contralateral implanted electrode lead or separately implanted plate or contact, and selecting one or more anode contacts on an opposite one of the ipsilateral and the contralateral implanted electrode lead or separately implanted plate or contact to generate a pulsed electrical field from the selected cathode contact, simultaneously drawing a current from the generated electrical field toward the selected anode contact(s) to stimulate the targeted area of the brain
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices to provide correction parameters for implanted electrodes by applying a cathode pulse to a bilateral implanted electrode while providing a synchronized anode on the opposite electrode. The electrical field can be “shaped” over space and time to reach more of the targeted area by selecting various combinations of active contacts. The cathode lead directs the electrical field to the target and the placement and number of anode contacts activated determines the electric field path and rate of dissipation based on vertical and horizontal distance and timing. The correction parameter can be applied to anode and cathode contacts on a single implanted lead. Each lead can have plural anode and cathode contacts each independently controllable. Active anodes and cathodes are statically or dynamically selected to generate a shaped electric field to reach the target.