Implantable Braid-Supported Helical Leads for Flashover Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable electrode leads face challenges in achieving a minimum lead spacing to prevent flashover voltages, particularly in high-voltage applications like tachycardia therapy, where helical wire leads are limited by fatigue strength and rope-shaped leads cannot be wound into coils without compromising structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

A braid-like structure is formed by helically winding electrical conductors in one direction and insulators in the opposite direction, ensuring parallel alignment without conductor crossings, allowing torque transfer and maintaining robustness and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wire-shaped electrical conductors are wound into helical leads, then plastic deformability is improved, but fatigue strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplastic deformabilityVSAvoidfatigue strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining wire-shaped electrical conductors with rope-shaped structural supports. The wire provides plastic deformability for helical winding, while the rope-shaped element provides fatigue resistance, creating a composite lead that achieves both properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If rope-shaped electrical conductors are used, then fatigue strength is improved, but ability to be wound into coils deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefatigue strengthVSAvoidplastic deformability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines rope-shaped structural supports with wire-shaped electrical conductors in a composite configuration. The rope-shaped element maintains structural integrity and fatigue resistance, while the wire-shaped conductor enables helical winding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of moving object

If lead wires are arranged in a cross pattern, then space utilization is improved, but minimum lead spacing is violated causing flashover risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidflashover voltage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional cross pattern arrangement to a three-dimensional helical braid configuration. This dimensional change allows lead wires to maintain adequate spacing while efficiently utilizing available space through the helical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of arranging conductors in a cross pattern where they intersect, the patent inverts the approach by using a braid configuration where insulators and conductors are interwoven in opposite helical directions, preventing conductor crossings and maintaining spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Stability of the object's composition

If insulators are added to support rope-shaped leads into coils, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidlead structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support function with the structural form by integrating insulators into the helical braid configuration itself. The insulators are not merely added as separate components but are interwoven to form the supporting structure, combining support and configuration functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design achieves consistent lead spacing, enhances safety against high-voltage flashovers, and facilitates torque transmission, suitable for high-current applications like tachycardia electrodes, while allowing for increased lead count in confined spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a braid comprising the helically wound at least one electrical conductor and the helically wound at least one electrical insulator is configured to transfer torque upon screwing the implantable electrode lead into said tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP4384260B1Braid-supported helical leads for implantable electrode leads

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG

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Figure 3~4
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AI summary

The present invention relates to an implantable electrode lead (1), comprising: at least one electrode pole (2), at least one electrical conductor (3, 30), which is electrically conductively connected to the at least one electrode pole (2), and at least one longitudinally extended electrical insulator (4, 40). According to the present invention, the at least one electrical conductor (3, 30) is helically wound in a first direction of rotation about a longitudinal axis (x) of the electrode lead (1), and in that the at least one electrical insulator (4, 40) is helically wound in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, about the longitudinal axis (x).