Extensible Braided Medical Lead for Neurostimulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable medical leads used in neurostimulation systems face challenges due to the stretching and relaxing of the human body, which can cause mechanical stress and disrupt the electrical connections, leading to ineffective stimulation and potential complications.

Innovation Solution

The development of extensible implantable medical leads with braided conductors, where a plurality of electrical conductors form a braided coil within a polymeric material that can stretch by at least 10% when exposed to a force of 5 N or less and return to its original length, allowing for flexible and reliable electrical connections during body movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lead is made rigid to maintain stable electrical connections, then connection reliability is improved, but the lead cannot accommodate body stretching and relaxing movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of body movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lead incorporates a braided coil structure that dynamically adjusts its configuration in response to body movements. The braided construction allows the lead to stretch and relax with the body while maintaining electrical connectivity, transforming the lead from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adaptive one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lead employs a flexible braided construction with insulated conductors that can bend and stretch. This flexible structure accommodates the natural stretching and relaxing of the body without compromising the stability of electrical connections between the neurostimulator and neural tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lead is made extensible to accommodate body movement, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical stress on the lead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of body movementVSAvoidresistance to mechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The braided construction with insulated conductors creates a flexible yet strong lead structure. The braided pattern distributes mechanical stress across multiple strands, allowing the lead to stretch and relax with the body while maintaining structural integrity and resistance to mechanical failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The lead combines multiple materials including braided conductors and insulating materials to create a composite structure. This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed for body movement accommodation and the strength required to resist mechanical stress and maintain electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional rigid leads are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the leads fail to maintain reliable connections during body movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelead manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconnection stability during movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The braided coil structure can be manufactured using established braiding techniques adapted for medical device production. This dynamic structure maintains reliable electrical connections during body movement while being producible through modified conventional manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution ensures consistent and effective electrical stimulation by accommodating the body's natural stretching and relaxing, reducing mechanical stress on the leads and maintaining reliable connections, thus enhancing the performance and longevity of neurostimulation systems.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of electrical conductors are each electrically insulated from each other and form a braided coil extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are electrically insulated and separated from each other and have a braided coil diameter.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10155109B2Extensible implantable medical lead with braided conductors

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

An extensible implantable electrical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. The lead body is formed of a polymeric material that is extensible between a first length and a second length. A plurality of electrical conductors are disposed within the lead body and extend between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are each electrically insulated from each other and form a braided coil extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are electrically insulated and separated from each other and have a braided coil diameter.