Flexible Hypoglossal Nerve Electrode Array With Dynamic Electrode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implanting electrical stimulators for muscles or nerves is a complex procedure requiring precise electrode placement, often involving trial and error, which can lead to tissue damage and misalignment issues, necessitating high expertise and time.
Innovation Solution
An implantable stimulator with a dynamically controllable electrode array that automatically determines electrode contact points using action potential signals, allowing for flexible placement and dynamic selection of electrodes based on electrical measurements and algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rigid stimulator with fixed electrode placement is used, then the implantation procedure is simpler, but the risk of tissue damage and misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the electrode array flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to tissue contours and movements. The flexible electrode array can bend and conform to the nerve or muscle surface, reducing mechanical stress and tissue damage while maintaining effective electrical contact during implantation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly implements this principle by using a flexible electrode array constructed from flexible materials that can conform to tissue surfaces. This flexible structure reduces the harmful mechanical effects on surrounding tissues while maintaining ease of implantation and proper electrode alignment with the target nerve or muscle.
2Ease of operation
If trial and error method is used for electrode positioning, then the expertise requirement is reduced, but the time consumption and risk of tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic electrode selection algorithms that identify and select the optimal electrodes for stimulation based on real-time electrical signals from the tissue. This eliminates the need for practitioner trial and error, automatically optimizing electrode positioning and reducing both time consumption and tissue manipulation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from electrical measurements (action potentials) to dynamically adjust and optimize electrode selection. The controller continuously monitors tissue responses and automatically adjusts which electrodes are active, enabling precise positioning without requiring extensive practitioner expertise or time-consuming trial and error procedures.
3Area of stationary object
If a dense electrode array is used to ensure coverage, then the stimulation coverage is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrode array into multiple independent controllable elements. This allows the system to achieve comprehensive stimulation coverage by selectively activating different segments or groups of electrodes based on the specific application requirements, rather than requiring all electrodes to be densely packed and always active, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible electrode array is designed to be universally applicable to different nerves and muscles through automatic electrode selection algorithms. Rather than requiring custom-designed dense arrays for each specific application, the same flexible array can be adapted to various targets by algorithmically selecting the appropriate electrodes, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining broad stimulation coverage capability.
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 and efficient muscle or nerve stimulation with reduced risk of tissue damage and misalignment, facilitating less invasive implantation and real-time adjustment to ensure optimal electrode alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The array of electrodes is used to identify contact points on the muscle/nerve wherein the action potentials signals measured at those points indicates that they are desirable contact points
Implementation Method 2
an array of electrodes for electrically stimulating muscles or nerves
Data Source
AI summary
The system includes an array of electrodes and a stimulator coupled to the array of electrodes by at least one flexible wire. The array of electrodes are disposed on a flexible carrier configured to wrap around a hypoglossal nerve of a patient. The array of electrodes include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The stimulator includes a control circuit configured to generate a stimulation signal. The stimulator is configured to receive a communication from an external device for selecting at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode that will participate in stimulating the hypoglossal nerve of the patient.