Flexible Wire Lead for Movement-Driven Nerve Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pain relief methods require multiple needle insertions, electrical stimulation, or both, which are invasive, uncomfortable, and require frequent clinical visits, limiting their effectiveness and patient compliance.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, three-dimensional wire lead is percutaneously implanted near the pain site, allowing fibrotic ingrowth and mechanically stimulating Type Ia and Ib nerve fibers to generate action potentials without electrical stimulation, providing long-term pain relief through normal body movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical stimulation or multiple needle insertions are used for pain relief, then pain relief effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidpatient comfort and compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of nerve stimulation while removing the harmful elements of electrical stimulation and multiple needle insertions. A single flexible lead is percutaneously inserted to deliver mechanical stimulation through body movement, eliminating the need for electrical stimulators and repeated procedures, thus maintaining pain relief effectiveness while significantly improving patient comfort and compliance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The implanted flexible lead is designed to be self-actuating through normal body movement. The lead mechanically stimulates nerves autonomously without requiring external electrical stimulation or repeated clinical interventions. Patients simply engage in normal daily activities, and the lead converts this movement into therapeutic nerve stimulation, making the treatment self-sustaining and highly compliant

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple needle insertions are performed for pain relief, then therapeutic effect is improved, but treatment frequency and clinical visits increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidtreatment frequency and clinical visits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by percutaneously implanting a flexible lead that remains in place for long-term therapy. This single initial insertion establishes continuous mechanical stimulation capability, eliminating the need for repeated needle insertions and frequent clinical visits. The lead is positioned to stimulate nerves continuously through body movement, providing sustained therapeutic effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The implanted flexible lead provides continuous useful action by converting normal body movement into ongoing nerve stimulation. Unlike intermittent needle therapies requiring repeated visits, the lead operates continuously as patients engage in daily activities, maintaining therapeutic effect without requiring repeated clinical interventions or loss of time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If electrical stimulation devices are used, then pain relief is achieved, but device complexity and power source requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain reliefVSAvoiddevice complexity and power source

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing electrical stimulation with mechanical stimulation. Instead of using complex electrical stimulators and power sources, a simple flexible lead is percutaneously inserted to deliver mechanical stimulation through body movement. This mechanical approach achieves pain relief while dramatically simplifying the device, eliminating the need for batteries, power sources, and complex electrical circuitry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system offers minimally-invasive, long-term pain relief with reduced clinical visits, patient compliance, and comfort, as it continuously activates surrounding tissue via body movement, reducing the need for skilled intervention and allowing patients to remain active.

Implementation Method 1

mechanically stimulating Type Ia and Ib nerve fibers to generate action potentials without electrical stimulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical nerve stimulation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250255775A1Method and system of mechanical nerve stimulation for pain relief

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 SPR THERAPEUTICS

AI summary

A system and method of using a lead introduced to a subject proximate to a region of pain is contemplated to deliver pain relief without the need for multiple needle insertions or electrical stimulation. The three-dimensional lead may include spring-like characteristics and/or coils to translate mechanical energy into the therapy.