Flexible C-Ring Neural Interfaces for Self-Sizing Vessel Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neurostimulation devices lack radial flexibility and self-sizing capabilities, leading to nerve damage from excessive compression, decreased blood flow, and poor electrical contact due to ingrowth of connective tissue, while complex positioning efforts require significant dissection and nerve manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A neural interface with flexible, self-sizing end and center portions that form a low-helix angle configuration, allowing single-pass deployment around the target vessel with minimal manipulation, and featuring a spinal portion for conductor housing, ensuring unrestricted blood flow and fluid exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional neurostimulation devices are used, then neurostimulation can be achieved, but radial flexibility is lacking and self-sizing capability is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a flexible substrate with curvilinear flaps that can radially expand and contract to conform to varying vessel diameters. This flexible structure allows the electrodes to maintain stable contact with the vessel wall while accommodating anatomical variability, directly resolving the contradiction between radial flexibility and electrical contact stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic self-sizing configuration. The curvilinear flaps are designed to automatically adjust their radial dimension to match the target vessel size, providing both flexibility and stable electrical contact without requiring external adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conventional devices are used, then neurostimulation is possible, but excessive compression causes nerve damage and decreased blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate with curvilinear flaps distributes contact pressure evenly across the vessel surface, preventing excessive compression at any single point. This flexible design maintains reliable electrical contact while avoiding the harmful effects of rigid over-compression on surrounding nerves and tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the pressure distribution parameter from concentrated high pressure (rigid devices) to distributed low pressure (flexible curvilinear flaps). This parameter change maintains sufficient electrical contact while eliminating excessive compression that causes nerve damage and blood flow restriction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid devices are used, then structural stability is maintained, but poor electrical contact occurs due to ingrowth of connective tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible curvilinear flaps create a more compliant interface with the vessel wall, reducing mechanical stress concentration that drives connective tissue ingrowth. This maintains both structural stability for device positioning and electrical contact reliability over time.
4Ease of operation
If complex positioning efforts are used, then device placement is achieved, but significant dissection and nerve manipulation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The device's dynamic self-sizing capability allows it to adapt to the target vessel during deployment without requiring complex manual adjustment or extensive dissection. The curvilinear flaps automatically conform to the vessel anatomy, simplifying the positioning procedure while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An extravascular or intravascular neural interface is disclosed comprising three C-ring portions, with at least two including an electrode, an electrode pair or an electrode array. The portions are formed of a flexible material that is configured to enable the portions to self-size to fit around or against a surface of a target vessel when the neural interface is released at a position along the target vessel. A spinal portion configured to house electrical conductors for the electrodes is connected to one or more portions. The portions may be spaced sufficient apart to permit radial expansion and contraction of a target vessel around or within which the neural interface is placed, to reduce never compression, open trench low-pressure unrestricted blood-flow, and to enhance fluid exchange with the target vessel. The portions may be arranged in a low helix angle forming at least two full turns.