Electrode Assembly for Intercostal Nerve Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing post-operative pain after thoracic and abdominal surgery are invasive and often accompanied by side effects, necessitating a less invasive and targeted approach to alleviate pain effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electrode assembly with multiple electrodes placed over intercostal nerve bundles, connected to a pulse generator to apply an electromagnetic field, achieving a nerve block that can be temporarily maintained and then removed, thereby alleviating pain without the need for systemic medications or invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If systemic medications (narcotics and traditional pharmacologic agents) are administered to control post-operative pain, then pain relief is achieved, but side effects are not tolerated by patients and invasive procedures (epidural, spinal, or paravertebral) are required for delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electrode assembly as an intermediary device to deliver targeted electrical stimulation to specific nerve bundles (intercostal, phrenic, or vagus nerves). This mediator enables localized pain control without requiring systemic medication delivery or invasive surgical procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between effective pain relief and harmful side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly provides localized electrical stimulation to specific nerve bundles rather than systemic medication distribution. The distal portion with multiple electrodes can be positioned adjacent to target nerves to deliver focused pain control, achieving effective analgesia while avoiding the side effects associated with systemic narcotic administration
2Reliability
If invasive epidural, spinal, or paravertebral procedures are used to deliver pain medications, then pain control is achieved, but the procedures are invasive and carry higher risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical injection procedures (epidural, spinal, or paravertebral catheter placement) with electrical stimulation delivery. The electrode assembly is inserted percutaneously and uses electrical fields to block nerve conduction, substituting complex invasive mechanical procedures with a simpler electrical intervention that achieves comparable pain control
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly serves as an intermediary that delivers pain control through electrical stimulation rather than requiring invasive medication delivery systems. This mediator enables effective analgesia through a less invasive percutaneous insertion method, reducing procedural complexity and associated risks
3Reliability
If traditional pharmacologic agents are administered systemically to manage post-operative pain, then pain relief is provided, but the medications lack targeted delivery to specific nerve pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly provides localized electrical stimulation to specific nerve bundles (intercostal, phrenic, or vagus nerves) rather than systemic medication distribution. The distal portion with multiple electrodes can be positioned adjacent to target nerves to deliver focused pain control, achieving precise targeted delivery that systemic medications cannot provide
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency, pulse duration) to control nerve stimulation precisely. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves targeted pain relief along specific nerve pathways, providing measurement precision and targeted delivery that pharmacologic agents lack
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
This approach provides effective pain relief by blocking nerve conduction in intercostal nerve bundles, reducing the reliance on narcotics and avoiding invasive procedures, thereby improving patient recovery and minimizing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
applying an electromagnetic field to the plurality of intercostal nerve bundles after the patient's surgery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of reducing pain after surgery in the thoracic or abdominal region and managing chronic nerve pain in the thoracic or abdominal region are provided. Such methods involve an electrode assembly that has a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion including a plurality of electrodes. At least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is placed over each of a plurality of intercostal nerve bundles in the patient's body. The proximal portion of the electrode assembly is connected to a pulse generator. An electromagnetic field is applied to the plurality of intercostal nerve bundles. The plurality of electrodes is removed from the patient's body after an intercostal nerve block sufficient to alleviate the patient's pain has been achieved.