Implant Electrode Lead ID Circuit and Color Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode lines for implants are difficult to reliably and uniquely identify, often leading to confusion and incorrect connections, especially as the number of lines increases, and current solutions are complex, expensive, or require additional external devices for identification.
Innovation Solution
An electrode line with an ID circuit embedded in the insulation jacket, featuring an ID chip connected to electrical conductors, using a single-wire interface for power and communication, allowing for low-current operation and identification without affecting the electrode's function, and a method for the implant to read and store individual properties like serial numbers or manufacturing data using alternating voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrode leads are connected to modern implants, then the functionality and treatment capability are improved, but the difficulty of distinguishing and correctly connecting the leads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual differentiation through color coding of insulating sections on electrode leads. Different leads have insulating sections with different colors (e.g., first lead has first color, second lead has second color), enabling easy visual identification and correct connection without affecting electrical functionality. This directly resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation while maintaining treatment capability.
2Volume of moving object
If electrode leads are made thinner and smaller, then the implant size and invasiveness are reduced, but the ability to clearly mark and distinguish connectors and terminals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded insulating sections on thin electrode leads to provide visual identification. Even though the leads are miniaturized, the colored insulating sections maintain sufficient visual contrast and distinguishability, resolving the contradiction between small size and marking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds visual information in a different dimension (color/optical property) rather than increasing physical size. The insulating sections provide dimensional differentiation through color coding, allowing thin leads to remain distinguishable without increasing their volume.
3Reliability
If complex identification systems are implemented, then the reliability of lead identification is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple color-coded insulating sections instead of complex electronic identification systems. This visual identification method achieves reliable lead differentiation through straightforward visual cues, avoiding complex circuits, processors, or communication protocols, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive color-coded insulating sections rather than expensive reusable electronic identification systems. The simple visual markers are cost-effective to manufacture and eliminate the need for complex identification electronics, resolving the contradiction between identification reliability and manufacturing cost.
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 reliable and unique identification of electrode lines without altering the implant's structure, allowing for safe and effective use, reducing production costs, and simplifying the identification process while preventing tissue stimulation during identification.
Implementation Method 1
The ID chip has a single-wire interface for connection to the implant for power supply and communication
Implementation Method 2
applying an alternating voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal of the ID circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrode lead (100) for connection to an implant (300) by means of a plug with at least one electrical conductor (104, 105) and an insulating sheath (102).For the safe and cost-effective reading of at least one individual property of the electrode conductor, an ID circuit (200) with an ID chip (201) is provided in the insulating sheath (102), wherein the ID circuit (200) is connected at its first terminal to an electrical conductor (104) and at its second terminal to an electrically conductive element (110) exposed on the outside of the electrode conductor (100), wherein the ID chip (201) has a storage unit and the electrically conductive element (110) is arranged longitudinally along the electrode conductor (100) at a predetermined distance from the connector, wherein at least one individual property of the electrode conductor (100), for example the associated ID number, lot number, type, version, revision or the like, is stored in the storage unit.The invention further relates to a method for identifying an electrode lead (100) by means of an implant (300), a method for configuring a system consisting of an implant (300) and at least one electrode lead (100), an implant (300), and a readout adapter.