Helical Cuff Electrodes for Diameter-Selective Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable electrical stimulation systems face challenges in efficiently and differentially stimulating nerves to control internal organs, particularly in providing targeted therapy for various diseases and disorders.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrical stimulation lead with a cuff having a helical cuff body and longitudinally elongated electrodes arranged in a helical pattern, along with radial electrodes, to facilitate differential nerve stimulation and organ control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cuff electrodes are used, then the device structure is simple, but the nerve stimulation is not diameter-selective and organ control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff electrode is divided into multiple independently controllable segments (first cuff electrode, second cuff electrode, third cuff electrode, fourth cuff electrode) arranged around the nerve. Each segment can be stimulated independently to achieve diameter-selective nerve stimulation and differential organ control, resolving the contradiction between stimulation capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are arranged asymmetrically in a non-uniform pattern around the nerve circumference, with specific spacing and positioning designed to create asymmetric stimulation patterns. This asymmetric arrangement enables selective stimulation of specific nerve diameters and provides differential control over target organs while maintaining a manageable device structure.
2Reliability
If the electrode width is increased to improve stimulation surface area, then the stimulation effectiveness increases, but the nerve compression and tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total stimulation surface area is distributed across multiple separate electrode segments rather than using a single large electrode. Each segment has reduced width that minimizes local nerve compression and tissue damage, while the collective arrangement of multiple segments provides sufficient total surface area for reliable nerve stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cuff electrode have different local properties - the electrode segments are positioned and sized to provide adequate stimulation surface area in critical regions while avoiding excessive compression in sensitive areas. The asymmetric arrangement optimizes the local quality of stimulation across different zones of the nerve circumference.
3Reliability
If the cuff is made tighter to improve nerve contact, then the stimulation effectiveness increases, but the nerve damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff electrode structure is segmented into multiple independent electrode segments that can contact the nerve at different locations. This segmentation allows the cuff to be tightened sufficiently to ensure reliable nerve contact for stimulation while distributing the mechanical stress across multiple contact points, preventing localized nerve damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff provides different local contact pressures and contact characteristics at different segments around the nerve circumference. The asymmetric electrode arrangement is designed to work with non-uniform contact distribution, ensuring adequate nerve contact effectiveness in key regions while minimizing excessive pressure that could cause nerve damage.
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
This configuration allows for diameter-selective stimulation of nerves, enabling differential control of internal organs, improved surface area for stimulation, and enhanced sensing of nerve impulses, thereby providing effective therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The pulse generator in the control module generates electrical pulses that are delivered by the electrodes to body tissue
Implementation Method 2
the longitudinal slit operable to receive a portion of a target nerve from a region outside of the cuff to within the cuff body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electrical stimulation lead includes a cuff having a cuff body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a circumference; longitudinally elongated electrodes disposed on the interior surface of the cuff body and helically arranged with each of the longitudinally elongated electrodes longitudinally offset relative to any adjacent longitudinally elongated electrodes; and a longitudinal slit extending through the cuff body and further extending along an entire length of the cuff body, the longitudinal slit operable to receive a portion of a target nerve from a region outside of the cuff to within the cuff body. The lead also includes a lead body coupled to the cuff and conductors extending through the lead body and the cuff with the conductors electrically coupled to the longitudinally elongated electrodes.