Extendable Electrode Helical Connection Portion

Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable electrodes are typically non-extendable along their longitudinal axis, limiting their flexibility and usability in medical applications such as pacemaker connections to heart or nerve tissue.

Innovation Solution

The electrode is designed with a connection portion that is wound around its longitudinal axis, allowing for extension and easy implantation by forming a helical structure, which can be mechanically and thermally treated to enhance flexibility and reduce mechanical stress, while maintaining electrical conductivity through embedded connection lines and contact elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the electrode is made flexible and easily pliable transversely to its longitudinal axis, then the ease of implantation and adaptability to tissue is improved, but the electrode remains substantially non-extendable along the longitudinal axis

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidextendability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection portion is formed in a wound or coiled configuration around a core element, creating a helical or spiral structure. This curved geometry allows the electrode to be extended along its longitudinal axis by unwinding or uncoiling the connection portion, while maintaining flexibility transversely to the axis. The curved structure transforms the geometric arrangement without changing the material properties, enabling extendability while preserving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Length of moving object

If the connection portion is made resiliently extendable, then the ease of extension along the longitudinal axis is improved, but the structural stability and reliability of electrical connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveextendabilityVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into distinct functional sections: a flexible contact portion for tissue engagement and a separate wound connection portion for device attachment. The connection portion is further segmented into multiple windings or coils around a core element. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally - the contact portion maintains flexibility for tissue adaptation, while the connection portion provides structured extendability through its wound configuration without compromising electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A core element or mandrel is introduced as an intermediary during the winding process to form the connection portion. This core element serves as a temporary support structure that maintains the geometric arrangement of the wound connection portion. The core element can be removed after winding, leaving a stable helical structure that maintains its shape and electrical connections while allowing longitudinal extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the electrode is made non-extendable along the longitudinal axis, then the structural stability and ease of manufacture are improved, but the adaptability to different implantation scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidimplantation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection portion is formed in a wound or coiled configuration around a core element, creating a helical or spiral structure. This curved geometry allows the electrode to be extended along its longitudinal axis by unwinding or uncoiling the connection portion, while maintaining flexibility transversely to the axis. The curved structure transforms the geometric arrangement without changing the material properties, enabling extendability while preserving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS10426948B2Extendable electrode

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 DYCONEX PATENTE

AI summary

An implantable electrode having a connection portion. So as to be able to easily stretch the electrode lengthwise, provision is made so that the connection portion is embodied in a coiled manner.