Fascicular Mapper for Intraneural Electrode Implantation Specificity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for increasing intraneural electrode implantation specificity are limited, often requiring high invasiveness and computational costs, and suffer from limited specificity in activating desired nerve fibers while avoiding unwanted responses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a plurality of independently actuable electrodes anchored to a base area, with electrical stimulation and activity detection to map peripheral nerve fascicles, allowing for precise localization and implantation of electrodes into targeted fascicles, enhancing specificity and reducing off-target activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional methods are used to increase intraneural electrode implantation specificity, then electrode implantation specificity is improved, but invasiveness and computational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fascicle mapping before electrode implantation by electrically stimulating different regions of the peripheral nerve and detecting activity from stimulated regions. This preliminary action identifies the location and function of fascicles in advance, allowing for more precise and less invasive electrode placement without requiring complex real-time computational analysis during the implantation procedure itself.
2Reliability
If multiple electrodes are implanted to activate desired nerve fibers, then activation specificity is improved, but the number of electrodes and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by electrically stimulating different regions of the peripheral nerve and detecting activity from each stimulated region. This allows identification of specific fascicle locations and functions at different positions along the nerve, enabling targeted electrode placement in specific fascicles rather than implanting multiple electrodes throughout the entire nerve. The mapping data reveals local characteristics of each fascicle region, guiding precise single-electrode or minimal-electrode placement.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive nerve mapping is performed to avoid unwanted responses, then activation precision is improved, but procedure time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive fascicle mapping as a preliminary step before electrode implantation. By electrically stimulating different regions of the peripheral nerve and detecting activity from stimulated regions, the system creates a map of fascicle locations and functions in advance. This preliminary comprehensive assessment allows for precise electrode placement with minimal additional time during the actual implantation procedure, as the mapping information is already available to guide the intervention.
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 approach significantly increases the specificity of intraneural electrode implantation, reducing the need for multiple electrodes and minimizing unwanted neural fiber recruitment, while improving the precision of biological responses in bioelectronic medicine applications.
Implementation Method 1
electrically stimulating different regions of the peripheral nerve
Implementation Method 2
detecting activity from the stimulated regions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to systems for locating a peripheral nerve, which include a plurality of electrodes operational to be actuated independently of other electrodes and base area anchoring the plurality of electrodes. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of locating a fascicle or a portion of a fascicle of a peripheral nerve by (1) electrically stimulating different regions of the peripheral nerve; (2) detecting activity from the stimulated regions; and (3) correlating the detected activity from the stimulated regions to the presence of a fascicle or a portion of a fascicle at the stimulated regions. The methods of the present disclosure may also include steps of (4) generating a map of fascicles in the peripheral nerve and (5) implanting electrodes into the located fascicles.