Electrode Assembly Wire Diameter Variation for Insertion Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable medical devices, such as cochlear implants, often experience buckling or deformation during insertion due to insufficient stiffness, which can render them inoperable and require expensive stiffening members, increasing manufacturing and retail costs.

Innovation Solution

The electrode assembly incorporates wires with varying diameters to provide necessary stiffness at the proximal end, minimizing the risk of buckling and potentially eliminating the need for additional stiffening members, while maintaining flexibility for conforming to body part shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electrode assembly uses uniform thin wires throughout, then the device remains flexible for insertion, but the proximal end becomes too flexible and prone to buckling during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility during insertionVSAvoidstability during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode assembly employs wires with varying diameters along their length, with the proximal portion having a larger diameter than the distal portion. This local variation in wire diameter provides increased stiffness and structural support at the proximal end to prevent buckling during insertion, while maintaining flexibility at the distal end for conforming to the cochlear structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the electrode assembly includes additional stiffening members, then buckling is prevented, but manufacturing costs increase due to expensive materials like platinum alloys

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during insertionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameter of wire diameter along the length of the electrode assembly to achieve the desired mechanical properties. By varying the diameter parameter, the assembly achieves sufficient stiffness to prevent buckling during insertion without requiring additional stiffening members made of expensive materials like platinum alloys, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the wire diameter is increased throughout the assembly, then stiffness is improved, but the device becomes too rigid and difficult to insert into the cochlea

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during insertionVSAvoidflexibility for insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11484704B2Implanted medical devices having electrode assemblies

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

Disclosed herein are electrode assemblies configured for use with a medical device, such as an implantable medical device. In one aspect, the disclosed electrode assembly includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode, each of which is configured to deliver electrical stimuli to a body part of a recipient. The electrode assembly also includes a first wire that is attached at one end to the first electrode and comprises a conductor that has a first diameter, and a second wire that is attached to the second electrode and comprises a conductor that has a second diameter, with the first diameter being greater than the second diameter. Additionally, each of the first wire and the second wire pass through a proximal end of the assembly is configured to connect the one of the electrodes to a stimulation unit of a medical device.