Flexible Implantable Tissue Stimulator for Deep Muscle Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spinal cord injuries lead to limited mobility, resulting in pressure ulcers and deep tissue injuries due to impaired muscle function, and existing electrical stimulation methods require excessive charge and can cause skin damage.

Innovation Solution

A flexible implantable tissue stimulator with inductive power transceivers and pattern generation nodes, capable of providing defined electrical stimulation to paralyzed muscle tissues through minimally invasive implantation, reducing the required electrical charge and minimizing skin damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical stimulation is applied to the surface of the skin to stimulate deep tissue, then deep tissue can be stimulated, but excessive charge is required and skin damage can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeep tissue stimulation effectivenessVSAvoidskin damage and excessive charge requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the stimulation function by placing electrodes directly on the muscle tissue rather than on the skin surface. This segmentation allows the electrical stimulation to be applied at the target tissue level, eliminating the need for excessive charge to penetrate through skin layers and preventing skin damage while effectively stimulating deep tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible circuit board acts as an intermediary between the power source and the muscle tissue. It delivers electrical stimulation directly to the muscle tissue through implanted electrodes, serving as a mediator that bypasses the skin barrier and eliminates the harmful effects of high charge application on skin while maintaining effective deep tissue stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If rigid electrodes are used for electrical stimulation, then effective muscle stimulation can be achieved, but tissue erosion and device material erosion can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle stimulation effectivenessVSAvoidtissue erosion and device material erosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a flexible circuit board with flexible electrodes instead of rigid electrodes. The flexible construction allows the device to conform to the muscle tissue surface without creating rigid contact points that would cause erosion. The flexibility distributes pressure evenly and prevents both tissue erosion and device material erosion while maintaining effective muscle stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the mechanical parameter of the electrode from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the electrode to adapt to the tissue surface, reducing stress concentration and preventing erosion while maintaining electrical contact for effective muscle stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional implantable devices are used, then reliable power supply can be provided, but the devices are bulky and require large incisions for implantation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoiddevice size and incision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces traditional mechanical battery power sources with an inductive power transfer system. Power is transmitted wirelessly through electromagnetic induction from an external coil to an internal coil, eliminating the need for bulky batteries and allowing for a compact, minimally invasive implantable device that maintains reliable power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a three-dimensional bulky battery structure to a two-dimensional flexible circuit board configuration. This dimensional change allows the power receiving coil to be integrated into a thin, flexible substrate that can be implanted through small incisions while maintaining reliable inductive power transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 implantable tissue stimulator effectively reduces regional interface pressures, increases blood flow, and maintains muscle health with minimal power consumption, enhancing the intrinsic health of impaired muscles and preventing tissue damage.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible implantable tissue stimulator can comprise an inductive power transceiver that provides power to one or more pattern generation nodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11458309B2Flexible implantable tissue stimulator and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AI summary

Provided are devices and methods for providing a flexible implantable tissue stimulator. A flexible implantable tissue stimulator can be use in a variety of medical/surgical procedures, and therapeutic interventions, such as musculoskeletal stimulation therapy. The flexible implantable tissue stimulator can be implanted via a minimally invasive procedure and comprises a biocompatible flexible construction that enables it to conform to a variety of implantation orientations and biological conditions. The flexible implantable tissue can provide programmable biphasic electrical stimulation to impaired tissue, such as a gluteal muscle.