Implanted Electrode Spatial Relationship Detection via Electrical Impedance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical electrical stimulation devices struggle to accurately determine the spatial relationships between implanted electrodes, which can lead to reduced efficacy of electrical stimulation therapy due to unknown electrode locations.
Innovation Solution
A medical device system that delivers an electrical stimulus via a first electrode and senses electrical signals from other electrodes to determine spatial relationships, such as distances, between electrodes, using tissue conductivity and impedance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation therapy is delivered using implanted electrodes, then treatment efficacy can be improved, but the spatial relationship between electrodes remains unknown leading to reduced therapy effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device uses its own implanted electrodes to sense and determine spatial relationships. The device delivers electrical stimuli through electrodes and senses the resulting signals to calculate distances between electrodes, allowing the system to self-determine electrode positioning without external imaging equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical imaging systems (fluoroscopy, X-ray) with an electrical sensing system. Instead of using external imaging equipment to visually locate electrodes, the device uses electrical signals and impedance measurements to determine spatial relationships, substituting a mechanical/optical system with an electrical one.
2Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to determine electrode positions, then spatial relationships can be accurately measured, but the procedure complexity and radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spatial measurement function from external imaging equipment and integrates it directly into the implantable medical device. By using the device's own electrodes for sensing and calculation, the system eliminates the need for separate fluoroscopy equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical impedance as an intermediary to determine spatial relationships. Instead of directly imaging electrodes, the system measures impedance values between electrodes, which serve as an intermediate parameter that can be converted to distance information, avoiding the need for complex imaging systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used for electrical stimulation, then therapy coverage is improved, but determining spatial relationships between all electrodes becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spatial relationship determination process into pairwise measurements. Instead of attempting to simultaneously determine relationships between all electrodes at once, the system measures impedance and calculates distances between electrodes in pairs, which simplifies the computational complexity while maintaining comprehensive spatial mapping.
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 accurate measurement of electrode distances and tissue conductivity, allowing for optimized selection of electrodes for effective electrical stimulation therapy and reduced need for fluoroscopy.
Implementation Method 1
sensing, by sensing circuitry and for each other electrode of the plurality of electrodes, a respective electrical signal indicative of the electrical stimulus
Implementation Method 2
determine, based on the respective values for each respective electrical signal sensed by each other electrode of the plurality of electrodes, spatial relationships between the first electrode and each other electrode of the plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for determining spatial relationships between electrodes implanted within a patient. In one example, a medical device delivers, via a first electrode, an electrical stimulus and senses, for each other electrode, a respective electrical signal indicative of the electrical stimulus. The medical device determines, for each other electrode, a respective value for each respective electrical signal. The medical device determines, based on the respective values for each respective electrical signal and values of tissue conductivity of tissues of the patient interposed between the first electrode and the other electrodes, spatial relationships between the first electrode and each other electrode of the plurality of electrodes.