High-charge capacity electrodes for safe DC nerve conduction block

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Solution Overview

Problem

Direct current (DC) nerve conduction block technologies face challenges in clinical adoption due to the risk of nerve damage from non-reversible Faradaic reaction products, despite offering advantages over kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) in avoiding onset response.

Innovation Solution

A high-charge capacity electrode system that includes a substrate coated with high surface area nano-particles held by a biocompatible binder, coupled with a current generator to deliver DC nerve conduction block without causing damage, using a biphasic waveform to minimize irreversible reaction products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If DC nerve conduction block is applied to avoid onset response, then nerve conduction block effectiveness is improved, but risk of nerve damage from Faradaic reaction products increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve conduction block effectivenessVSAvoidnerve damage from Faradaic reaction products

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flanking electrode as an intermediary element that delivers a brief DC waveform to neutralize the onset response produced by the main blocking electrode. This mediator electrode allows the primary DC nerve conduction block to function effectively while the flanking electrode counteracts the harmful onset response, thereby resolving the contradiction between block effectiveness and nerve damage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flanking electrode applies a preliminary counteracting DC waveform that anticipates and neutralizes the onset response before it can cause harmful effects. By applying this anti-action in advance, the system prevents the harmful Faradaic reaction products from forming while maintaining the effectiveness of the primary nerve conduction block

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Quantity of substance

If high charge capacity is used to deliver DC nerve conduction block, then charge delivery capability is improved, but production of non-reversible Faradaic reaction products increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge capacityVSAvoidnon-reversible Faradaic reaction products

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters by using a biphasic waveform with carefully controlled amplitude and duration. The first phase delivers the necessary charge for nerve conduction block, while the second phase is designed to reverse any Faradaic reactions. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high charge capacity utilization while minimizing harmful reaction product accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic biphasic pulses where each cycle consists of a charge-delivering phase followed by a charge-reversing phase. This periodic action allows the electrode to accumulate high charge capacity over time while the regular reversal phases prevent the buildup of non-reversible Faradaic reaction products, resolving the contradiction between charge quantity and harmful byproduct generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively blocks nerve conduction while preventing nerve and electrode damage, ensuring safe and predictable delivery of the required charge for clinical applications, with robust mechanical properties and high charge capacity.

Implementation Method 1

The coating can include high surface area nano-particles held together by a biocompatible binder material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the production of non-reversible Faradaic reaction products during stimulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFaradaic reaction: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10828485B2High-charge capacity electrodes to deliver direct current nerve conduction block

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV

AI summary

The present disclose generally relates to high-charge capacity electrodes that include a substrate and a coating covering at least a portion of the substrate that includes active particles held together by a biocompatible binding material. One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a current generator that generates a direct current (DC). The system can also include a high-charge capacity electrode that can be coupled to the current generator to deliver the DC to block conduction in a nerve.