Flexible Circuit Electrode Array Drum Stress Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neural stimulation technologies, such as retinal prostheses, face challenges in achieving stable mechanical contact with the retina while minimizing pressure to avoid tissue damage and ensure effective electrical stimulation, as flat electrode arrays apply uneven pressure and can be too sharp, leading to potential retinal damage.

Innovation Solution

A flexible circuit electrode array is designed with a curved shape matching the retina's curvature, using thermoplastic materials and additional compliant materials at the edges to reduce pressure, and incorporating features like folds and twists to facilitate a secure seal with scleral tissue, along with a protective skirt to prevent tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a flat electrode array is used to achieve stable mechanical contact with the retina, then contact stability is improved, but pressure distribution becomes uneven causing tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidtissue damage from uneven pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode array is formed with a curved surface that matches the curvature of the retina, replacing a flat configuration. This curvature allows the array to conform to the retinal surface, distributing pressure evenly across the contact area while maintaining stable mechanical contact, thereby preventing tissue damage from localized high pressure points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode array utilizes a flexible polymer substrate that can bend and conform to the curved retinal surface. This flexibility enables the array to adapt to the retinal geometry while maintaining uniform pressure distribution, resolving the contradiction between achieving stable contact and avoiding uneven pressure damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Manufacturing precision

If the electrode array edges are made sharp for precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but retinal tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidretinal tissue damage from sharp edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The array incorporates a protective skirt extending from the edges with different properties than the main body. The skirt provides a rounded, protective boundary that prevents sharp edge contact with tissue, while the main array body maintains its precise geometric configuration for accurate positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and tissue safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional compliant material is added to reduce edge pressure, then tissue protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective skirt is integrated as a single continuous structure formed from the same polymer material as the array body, rather than being a separate component. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity while providing the necessary compliant edge protection, resolving the contradiction between tissue protection and device simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 flexible circuit electrode array provides consistent and stable electrical contact with reduced pressure on the retina, minimizing the risk of tissue damage and improving the effectiveness of neural stimulation by maintaining even pressure distribution and promoting tissue integration.

Implementation Method 1

using thermoplastic materials and additional compliant materials at the edges to reduce pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10188853B2Flexible circuit electrode array with a drum stress relief

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 CORTIGENT INC

AI summary

The present invention is a flexible circuit electrode array with a polymer base layer, metal traces deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue, a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and the metal traces, and a soft polymer filling a void through both the polymer base layer and polymer top layer, the soft polymer forming drum stress relief around an attachment point.