Flexible Intrafascicular Electrode Structure for Stable Nerve Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nerve electrodes, both extrafascicular and intrafascicular, face issues such as displacement, low signal resolution, nerve damage, and immune reactions due to mismatched mechanical properties with nerve tissues, leading to unstable signal sensing and stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible linear electrode with a multi-layer structure, including insulation and wire layers, designed for implantation into peripheral nerve bundles, featuring a fixing portion to secure the electrode and allow for accurate signal sensing and stimulation, and a manufacturing method using MEMS processes to ensure flexibility and biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid electrodes are used for nerve stimulation, then structural stability is improved, but mechanical property mismatch with nerve tissue causes nerve damage and immune reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin film structures for the electrode substrate, allowing the electrode to conform to and move with nerve tissue without causing mechanical damage. The thin film design provides both flexibility to match tissue mechanics and sufficient structural integrity for stable signal recording and stimulation delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode utilizes composite material structures combining flexible substrates with conductive trace patterns and insulating layers. This composite approach allows the electrode to achieve both mechanical compliance with soft tissue and electrical functionality for neural interfacing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrode flexibility is increased to match nerve tissue mechanics, then nerve damage is reduced, but signal resolution and sensing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design implements local quality variations through multi-layer construction where different layers serve specialized functions: flexible substrates for mechanical compliance, conductive traces for signal transmission, and insulating layers for electrical isolation. This allows the electrode to be flexible overall while maintaining localized areas of high signal fidelity.
3Reliability
If electrode displacement is prevented through rigid fixation, then stability is improved, but mechanical property mismatch causes immune reactions and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode employs dynamic fixation methods that allow the electrode to move with nerve tissue during physiological activity rather than being rigidly constrained. This dynamic approach maintains stable electrical contact while avoiding the tissue damage and immune responses associated with rigid fixation.
4Measurement precision
If complex multi-layer structures are used to improve signal resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into distinct functional layers (flexible substrate, conductive traces, insulating layers) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process for each layer while achieving complex multi-functional performance in the complete electrode structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a linear flexible electrode for a peripheral nerve and a manufacturing method thereof. A linear flexible electrode for a peripheral nerve is provided, wherein the flexible electrode includes an implantation portion and a fixing portion, wherein at least part of the implantation portion is implantable into a peripheral nerve bundle, and the fixing portion is configured to fix the flexible electrode to the peripheral nerve bundle or other tissues in the vicinity of the peripheral nerve bundle, wherein: the flexible electrode includes a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer and a wire layer between the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer; and the implantation portion includes one or more electrode sites, each electrode site is electrically coupled to one of the wires in the wire layer, and in contact with the peripheral nerve after the flexible electrode is implanted into the peripheral nerve bundle to collect electrical signals from the peripheral nerve and transmit the collected electrical signals through the wires, or apply received electrical signals through the wires to the peripheral nerve.