Implantable Electrode Lead Architecture for Replaceable Power Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active implantable medical devices with replaceable battery units face challenges in supporting a large number of electrodes due to complex connections and the need for frequent battery replacements, limiting their applications, especially in spinal cord stimulation and cardiac applications.
Innovation Solution
An electrode device with fixedly connected electrode leads to a control unit, receiving power from a separate powering device via an interface wire, allowing for a robust and compact design that supports a large number of electrodes without detachable connections, facilitating long-term use and easy replacement of the powering device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a battery unit with detachable connector block is used to enable replacement, then the device can be maintained long-term, but the number of lead contacts is limited due to mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separable components: a permanent electrode device with control unit and electrodes, and a replaceable powering device with battery. The interface between them uses a simplified connector that accommodates multiple lead contacts without requiring complex mechanical structures, enabling both long-term use and easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector block is designed to handle multiple lead contacts simultaneously through a universal interface that supports both electrical connections and mechanical alignment. This multi-functional connector allows numerous electrodes to be connected without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of electrodes are connected through long leads to a battery unit, then more body functions can be monitored/stimulated, but the mechanical stability and signal quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is repositioned from the remote battery unit to be located near the electrodes at the target body part. This spatial reorganization reduces lead length and improves signal quality while maintaining the capability to support multiple electrodes through the optimized connector interface.
3Reliability
If battery replacement requires surgery, then the device can be sealed hermetically, but the replacement procedure becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a hermetically sealed electrode device and a separate powering device. The hermetic seal is maintained on the implanted portion while the battery replacement is simplified through the detachable connector design, allowing quicker replacement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A connector block serves as an intermediary interface between the hermetically sealed electrode device and the replaceable powering device. This intermediary allows the sealed portion to remain intact during battery replacement while enabling simple attachment and detachment operations.
4Reliability
If the control unit is placed in a hermetically sealed package, then the control unit is protected from implant environment, but the lead connections become mechanically challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The connector block acts as an intermediary that provides both hermetic sealing for the control unit and simplified mechanical attachment for multiple leads. It translates the requirement for environmental protection into a design where leads connect to external terminals rather than penetrating the sealed package, reducing mechanical complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An electrode device (100) for implantation in a subject, said electrode device (100) comprising: a control unit (110) arranged in a biocompatible package (104) configured to protect the control unit (110) from an implant environment; an electrode arrangement (120) comprising electrodes (122) for providing electrical signals to and/or acquiring electrical signals from a body part of the subject; a plurality of electrode leads (130), each configured to connect the control unit (110) with a respective electrode (122) and each being fixedly connected to the control unit (110); and an interface wire (140) configured to connect the control unit (110) to a powering device (200), wherein the interface wire (140) is configured to provide power from the powering device (200) to the control unit (110) and communication between the control unit (110) and the powering device (200). An implantable system (300) comprises the electrode device (100) and the powering device (200).