Epidural Lead Placement Using Bioelectric Dorsal Root Proximity Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) struggle to accurately identify the location of dorsal roots carrying pain signals, leading to inefficient energy consumption and suboptimal placement of medical leads, which affects the effectiveness of pain relief.
Innovation Solution
A system that senses and analyzes bioelectric signals, such as local field potentials (LFPs) and evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs), to determine the proximity of electrodes to dorsal roots, allowing for precise placement of medical leads in the epidural space, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving pain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If medical leads are placed in the central region of the epidural space, then the placement is easier and more standardized, but the energy consumption increases and proximity to dorsal roots decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensing circuitry to detect bioelectric signals from dorsal roots and provides real-time feedback to the clinician about electrode proximity to dorsal roots. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of lead placement and electrode configuration to optimize both energy efficiency and stimulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/visual methods of lead placement with bioelectric signal-based detection. Instead of relying on anatomical landmarks or imaging alone, the system uses electrical signal detection to precisely identify dorsal root locations and optimize electrode positioning.
2Use of energy by moving object
If medical leads are placed closer to dorsal roots, then the energy consumption decreases, but the difficulty of accurately identifying dorsal root locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the dorsal roots themselves to generate the detection signals. By sensing the bioelectric signals naturally produced by dorsal roots, the system eliminates the need for external tracers or contrast agents, making the detection process self-service and inherently more accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing circuitry acts as an intermediary between the dorsal roots and the clinician. It translates the bioelectric signals into interpretable data that guides lead placement, bridging the gap between the invisible electrical signals and the physical placement decision.
3Measurement precision
If traditional lead placement methods are used without bioelectric signal detection, then the device complexity is lower, but the precision of electrode placement relative to dorsal roots is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The medical lead serves multiple functions: it acts as both a stimulation delivery device and a signal sensing device. The same electrodes used for stimulation can detect bioelectric signals, eliminating the need for separate sensing hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the stimulation and sensing functions into a single integrated system. By combining the electrode array with bioelectric signal detection capabilities, the system achieves high placement precision without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same physical components serve dual purposes.
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
The system enables more effective placement of medical leads, reducing energy requirements and enhancing the efficacy of electrical stimulation therapy by targeting electrodes closer to dorsal roots carrying pain signals.
Implementation Method 1
The system may identify the one or more dorsal roots carrying pain signals, or other non-pain signals, by detecting bioelectric signals of the patient. Bioelectric signals may, in some cases, include local field potentials (LFPs) and evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs).
Implementation Method 2
Bioelectric signals may, in some cases, include local field potentials (LFPs) and evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs).
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and techniques for determining medical lead placement are described. In one example, a system includes sensing circuitry configured to detect, via a lead, a bioelectric signal of the patient, wherein the lead comprises one or more electrodes, and wherein the lead is configured to be located in an epidural space of a patient and displaced laterally from a dorsal horn of the patient. Additionally, the system includes processing circuitry configured to determine, based on the bioelectric signal, a proximity of each electrode of the one or more electrodes to a dorsal root of the patient; and output information indicative of the proximity of each electrode of the one or more electrodes to the dorsal root.