Implantable Lead Conductors with Flattened Electrode Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical electrical leads face challenges in enhancing lead performance, particularly in delivering high voltage pulses for defibrillation therapy, due to limitations in conductor design and electrode construction, which affect the efficiency and safety of cardiac arrhythmia treatment.
Innovation Solution
A continuous conductor wire is formed into a coil with a flattened radial cross-section for the electrode length and a round cross-section for the insulated length, allowing for a larger outer diameter surface area for the electrode, and a ring-like structure is formed at the distal end to enhance defibrillation shock energy delivery and reduce profile, while maintaining a smaller diameter for reduced lead profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the conductor wire is formed with a round cross-section, then the lead profile is streamlined and easier to implant, but the electrode surface area is reduced, decreasing defibrillation shock energy delivery effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor wire is designed with different cross-sectional profiles at different locations: the electrode length portion has a flattened cross-section to maximize surface area for shock delivery, while the insulated length portion maintains a round cross-section for streamlined implantability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the optimal shape to each specific functional region.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor wire is segmented into distinct functional portions: an electrode length with flattened profile for defibrillation and an insulated length with round profile for implantation. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its specific function, resolving the shape-surface area tradeoff.
2Power
If the electrode length is increased to improve shock energy delivery, then the defibrillation effectiveness is enhanced, but the lead profile and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing electrode length to improve shock delivery, the invention flattens the cross-section of the conductor wire, transitioning from a round to an oval geometry. This dimensional change in cross-sectional shape provides increased surface area and improved shock energy delivery without extending the longitudinal length of the electrode, thus maintaining a compact lead profile.
3Reliability
If multiple joints and coupling components are used to connect electrodes to conductors, then the electrical coupling is reliable, but the lead construction complexity increases and profile is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is formed as an integral extension of the conductor wire itself, eliminating the need for separate coupling components and joints. This merging of the electrode and conductor into a single continuous structure maintains reliable electrical coupling while significantly reducing lead construction complexity and streamlining the overall profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor wire itself serves dual functions: it provides the electrical pathway and simultaneously forms the electrode structure. The wire's own material properties and geometry are utilized to create the functional electrode surface, eliminating the need for additional coupling components and simplifying the overall construction.
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 flattened electrode profile increases the surface area for effective defibrillation shock energy delivery, reducing the risk of cardiac tissue damage and improving the efficiency of high voltage pulse delivery, while maintaining a streamlined lead profile for improved implantability.
Implementation Method 1
the radial cross-section profile of the electrode length of wire is flattened after the wire has been coiled, preferably by rotary swaging
Data Source
AI summary
A coiled continuous conductor wire of an implantable medical electrical lead includes a first, electrode length and a second, insulated length, wherein the insulated length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a round profile, while the electrode length of the wire has a radial cross-section defined by a flattened profile, a long axis edge of which defines an outer diameter surface of the electrode length. The radial cross-section profile, along the electrode length of wire, is preferably flattened after an entire length of the wire has been coiled.