Flexible Single-Sided Conductive Microstructure Artificial Cochlea Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial cochlea electrodes based on liquid metal face issues such as deformation, conductivity loss, and potential leakage during implantation, making them unstable and risky for auditory nerve stimulation, and are difficult to align correctly due to their point-shaped conductive area.
Innovation Solution
A flexible artificial cochlea electrode with a single-sided conductive microstructure featuring a biocompatible insulation layer, a conductive metal layer with etched electrodes and leads, and a pin area, produced using a method involving substrate coating, metal deposition, and curling to form an annular or U-shaped electrode array, ensuring stability and ease of alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid metal is used for the electrode, then flexibility is improved, but stability and reliability deteriorate due to deformation and leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the conductive material from liquid to solid, specifically using a solid polymer electrolyte with ionic conductivity. This parameter change maintains the flexibility needed for cochlear implantation while eliminating the deformation and leakage problems associated with liquid metal, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a solid polymer electrolyte matrix with conductive fillers (such as metal oxides or carbon-based materials). This composite material provides both the flexibility of soft materials and the structural stability needed to prevent deformation during implantation, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
2Reliability
If liquid metal electrode is used, then conductivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential leakage causing secondary injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from liquid metal with electronic conductivity to a solid polymer electrolyte with ionic conductivity. This parameter change maintains adequate conductivity for nerve stimulation while eliminating the safety hazard of liquid metal leakage, as the solid polymer is contained within a stable matrix that cannot leak.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid polymer electrolyte acts as a sacrificial or contained element that prevents the conductive fillers from leaching out. Even if the polymer degrades over time, the conductive particles remain trapped within the degradation products, preventing secondary injury to the cochlea.
3Device complexity
If point-shaped conductive area is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands the conductive area from a zero-dimensional point contact to a two-dimensional surface area on the flexible electrode. This dimensional change provides a larger target area for alignment during implantation, making it easier to position the electrode correctly against the cochlear nerve without requiring precise point-to-point alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible electrode with its curved or conformable shape can adapt to the curved surface of the cochlea, providing a larger contact area that is easier to align. The curvature allows the electrode to wrap around or conform to the cochlear structure, increasing the effective alignment area compared to a flat point contact.
4Manufacturing precision
If more electrode contacts are added, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode into multiple discrete contact points or segments along the flexible strip, each capable of independent stimulation. This segmentation allows for precise targeting of different cochlear nerve regions while maintaining a simple linear structure that is easier to manufacture and implant compared to complex three-dimensional electrode arrays.
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 solution provides a stable, flexible, and safe electrode array with increased electrode density, reduced aperture, and precise alignment, minimizing physical injury and secondary damage, while maintaining high conductivity and biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of electrodes are etched in the electrode area. One electrode is connected with one lead... Electrodes of the electrode area are exposed out of a packaged electrode array and contact auditory nerve cell tissues to transfer a stimulation electric signal
Implementation Method 2
A flexible artificial auditory nerve stimulation electrode includes a flexible biocompatible insulation material layer... a flexible electrode array packaging material should have biocompatibility
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a flexible single-sided conductive microstructure artificial cochlea electrode. The artificial cochlea electrode comprises a flexible biocompatible insulation material layer. An upper layer of the flexible biocompatible insulation material layer comprises a conductive metal layer and an adhesion layer. The conductive metal layer comprises an electrode area, a lead area and a pin area. A plurality of leads are etched in the lead area. A plurality of electrodes are etched in the electrode area. One electrode is connected with one lead; and the pin area is provided with pins corresponding to the leads of the lead area one by one.