Extravascular Neurostimulation Electrodes with Overlapping Flaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional neurostimulation devices fail to provide complete radial coverage and flexibility around target vessels, leading to nerve damage from excessive compression, poor electrical contact, and tissue ingrowth due to limited radial compliance and self-sizing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The development of extravascular devices with flexible substrates forming overlapping flaps, housing inward-facing elliptical or circular electrodes with wings for secure positioning, and a self-sizing cuff design that allows for 360-degree coverage and independent control of each electrode, enhancing radial compliance and reducing pressure on nerves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional intravascular devices with single flap designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but radial coverage and flexibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial coverage areaVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple flaps (first flap and second flap) that can be independently positioned and configured. Each flap contains electrodes that can be separately controlled, allowing the device to wrap around and cover the entire circumference of the target vessel, achieving 360-degree radial coverage while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a single-plane flap configuration to a multi-dimensional wraparound structure. The first and second flaps are arranged in different spatial orientations and can be positioned at different angles around the target vessel, creating a three-dimensional coverage that encompasses the entire vessel circumference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If resilient spring loops are added to apply pressure against the target vessel wall, then electrode contact pressure is improved, but nerve damage risk increases due to excessive compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode contact pressureVSAvoidnerve damage from compression

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps are designed with inherent flexibility and compliance, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the target vessel's size and shape. The device can self-adjust its contact pressure based on the vessel's diameter and tissue characteristics, maintaining adequate electrode contact while avoiding excessive compression that could damage nerves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable parameters including flap curvature, electrode spacing, and contact pressure distribution. These parameters can be modified to optimize the balance between achieving sufficient electrical contact and preventing harmful compression forces on the target vessel and surrounding nerves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the device is designed to be loose fitting to reduce compression, then nerve damage risk is reduced, but electrical contact quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve damage riskVSAvoidelectrical contact quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps are constructed from flexible, compliant materials that can conform closely to the target vessel's surface. This flexible shell design allows the device to maintain intimate contact with the vessel wall, ensuring high-quality electrical contact between electrodes and target tissue while the material's compliance prevents excessive compression forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If conventional devices are used, then initial positioning is achieved, but treatment efficiency degrades over time due to tissue ingrowth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidlong-term contact maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible flap design allows the device to accommodate tissue ingrowth and vessel size changes over time. The compliant material can deform and adapt to biological changes, maintaining continuous electrical contact between electrodes and target tissue throughout the treatment duration, thereby preserving treatment efficiency long-term

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11944812B2Electrode devices for neurostimulation

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 GALVANI BIOELECTRONICS LTD

AI summary

An extravascular neural interface includes a device containing electrodes for neurostimulation of a vessel. The devices are housed in flexible substrates forming two flaps, an inner flap having a spinal portion for routing leads/conductors into the device for connection to the electrodes and an outer flap that overlaps the inner flap. The inner flap supports and positions the electrodes to be inward facing, i.e., extravascular designs. The electrodes may be circular or elliptical and include a plurality of wings for securing the electrodes within a flap.