Implantable Electrical Lead with Configurable Electrode Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable electrical leads for cardiac pacing and defibrillation systems face challenges in effectively delivering therapeutic energy to the heart while minimizing tissue damage and ensuring stable electrode contact, particularly in navigating through anatomical structures like the pericardium and intercostal spaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of advanced lead designs with configurable electrode extensions, flexible proximal parts, and securement mechanisms, such as bends and grooves, along with delivery systems featuring blunt tips and orientation guides, to facilitate precise placement and maintain contact with biological tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional rigid leads are used for cardiac pacing, then structural strength is maintained, but tissue damage increases and electrode contact stability decreases when navigating anatomical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The lead is divided into multiple segments with different properties: a flexible distal portion containing electrodes for tissue contact, and a more rigid proximal portion for structural support and connection to the pulse generator. This segmentation allows the lead to navigate anatomical structures flexibly while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lead have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The distal portion is made highly flexible to conform to cardiac tissue and minimize damage during insertion, while the proximal portion maintains rigidity for stable connection to the pulse generator and reliable electrical signal transmission.
2Reliability
If traditional straight leads are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but electrode contact stability decreases when navigating complex anatomical structures like the pericardium and intercostal spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lead incorporates a pre-formed bend or curvature in the distal portion that allows it to dynamically adapt to the anatomical path through the pericardium and intercostal spaces. This dynamic configuration enables the lead to maintain stable electrode contact with the heart surface while navigating complex anatomical structures, without requiring multiple separate components.
3Manufacturing precision
If simple lead designs are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but delivery precision decreases when placing electrodes in specific anatomical locations
Solution Approach 1:
The lead is pre-formed with a specific bend or curvature configuration during manufacturing that corresponds to the optimal anatomical path for delivery. This preliminary shaping ensures that when the lead is delivered through the pericardium and intercostal spaces, the electrodes are automatically positioned at the correct location on the heart surface, improving placement precision without requiring complex delivery mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices and computer software for delivering electrical stimulation to biological tissue are described. In some implementations, an electrical lead for implantation in a patient can include a distal portion with electrodes that are configured to generate therapeutic energy for biological tissue of the patient, such as the heart or pericardium. The distal portion can include an electrode extension having a tip electrode, the electrode extension configured to facilitate contact of the tip electrode with biological tissue of the patient when the lead is in a deployed configuration. A distal part of the lead can be configured to include a heel portion, a bend in a proximal part, and/or a bend in a distal part, to facilitate contact of an electrode located on the heel portion with biological tissue of the patient when the lead is in a deployed configuration.