Guiding Tube Electroconductive Section for Lead Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guiding tubes for deep brain stimulation leads lack the ability to accurately determine the spatial position and rotational alignment of stimulation leads within the tube, which is crucial for precise placement of directional electrodes at the target region during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A guiding tube with an electroconductive section on its inner surface that allows for impedance measurement to determine the position of stimulation lead electrodes, combined with a tracking marker for spatial localization and an electromagnetic element for orientation, ensures accurate placement and alignment of electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stiff and dimensionally stable guiding tube is used to maintain its original shape during advancement through tissue, then the overall position can be determined with medical tracking systems, but the relative position and rotational alignment of the stimulation lead within the guiding tube cannot be ascertained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using detectable properties (electrical conductivity analogous to optical properties) on the guiding tube surface. Electroconductive sections with specific patterns are placed on the guiding tube, and when stimulation lead electrodes contact these sections, the contact positions are detected through impedance measurements. This allows determination of both the spatial position and rotational alignment of the stimulation lead, resolving the information loss about rotational alignment while maintaining the stiff guiding tube structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If unidirectional stimulation leads are used, then rotational alignment is a negligible problem, but directional stimulation leads require accurate spatial position determination including distal portion orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the positions of electroconductive sections on the guiding tube are pre-known, and when stimulation lead electrodes contact these sections, the contact positions provide feedback information. By measuring impedance changes and determining which electrodes contact which electroconductive sections, the system can calculate the spatial position and orientation of the distal portion of the stimulation lead, enabling accurate placement for directional stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment methods with electrical field-based detection. Instead of relying on mechanical features or visual alignment, the system uses electrical impedance measurements between stimulating electrodes and the electroconductive sections on the guiding tube. This electrical field interaction provides precise information about electrode positions and orientations without requiring complex mechanical coupling.
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
Enables precise determination of the spatial position and orientation of stimulation lead electrodes within the guiding tube, facilitating correct placement and verification of multi-directional stimulation leads at the target region, enhancing the accuracy of deep brain stimulation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one section of an otherwise electrically insulated inner surface of the tubular body has electroconductive properties, has an open, non-circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body (2), and is adapted to be contacted by at least one electrode (11) of a stimulation lead (4) that is inserted into the inner channel (3)
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic element for orientation, ensures accurate placement and alignment of electrodes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a guiding tube for stimulation leads, comprising a longitudinal, dimensionally stable tubular body enclosing an inner channel adapted to receive a stimulation lead, wherein at least one section of an otherwise electrically insulated inner surface of the tubular body has electroconductive properties. The present invention further relates to a corresponding stimulation lead placing system comprising such guiding tube, and to a corresponding computer program for placing a stimulation lead, utilizing such guiding tube.