Helical Segmented Electrode Stimulation Lead for Neural Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deep brain stimulation leads with ring electrodes lack the ability to direct electrical stimulus current to specific positions, often resulting in unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue, leading to undesired side effects.
Innovation Solution
The development of stimulation leads with segmented electrodes in spiral, helical, or other arrangements, which allow for directed current steering by positioning the electrodes to target specific areas around the circumference and length of the lead, enabling precise three-dimensional targeting of neural tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ring electrodes are used on the lead, then electrical stimulus current can be delivered to target neurons, but the current cannot be directed to specific positions around the ring electrode, resulting in unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The ring electrode is divided into multiple segmented electrodes arranged in a spiral or helical pattern around the lead shaft. Each segment can be independently controlled to deliver current, allowing precise directional stimulation. The segments are separated by insulating material to prevent current spread to adjacent segments, enabling selective activation of specific neural targets while avoiding unwanted stimulation of surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode arrangement transitions from a two-dimensional ring to a three-dimensional spiral or helical structure wrapping around the lead shaft. This adds a circumferential dimension to current delivery, allowing current to be directed to specific angular positions around the lead. The spiral configuration enables independent control of different segments at different longitudinal and angular positions, providing precise three-dimensional targeting capability.
2Measurement precision
If segmented electrodes in spiral or helical arrangement are used, then precise three-dimensional targeting of neural tissue is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented electrode structure serves multiple functions: it provides independent current delivery to different spatial locations, enables directional stimulation, allows selective activation of specific segments, and maintains mechanical flexibility. The same spiral arrangement facilitates both precise targeting and adaptable current distribution patterns, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are arranged in a spiral or helical pattern that naturally conforms to the cylindrical geometry of the lead shaft. This curved configuration allows the electrodes to wrap around the lead in a compact manner, achieving three-dimensional targeting without requiring complex rigid structures. The spiral arrangement provides mechanical flexibility while maintaining precise spatial positioning of each electrode segment.
Data Source
AI summary
A stimulation lead includes a lead body having a longitudinal surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and a shaft extending along at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body. The stimulation lead also includes multiple segmented electrode members disposed on the shaft along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. Each segmented electrode member includes a ring structure which forms at least a partial ring and is disposed on the shaft, and a segmented electrode coupled to the ring and having an exposed surface configured and arranged for stimulating tissue when the stimulation lead is implanted.