Implanted Passive Conductor Routing Electrical Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical stimulation methods for body tissues are either non-invasive but lack focused delivery and cause discomfort, or invasive but are unaesthetic and prone to infection, and existing implantable stimulators require external coils for energy delivery, which is costly.
Innovation Solution
A system using passive electrical conductors with a pick-up end and a stimulating end, implanted under the skin to route electrical current from surface electrodes to specific target body tissues, avoiding skin receptors and eliminating the need for external coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used to deliver electrical signals through the skin, then non-invasive stimulation is achieved, but the stimulation is not focused and causes discomfort due to activation of skin receptors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an implanted passive conductor as an intermediary element between the surface electrode and the target body tissue. This conductor is positioned subcutaneously to guide and focus the electrical current directly to the intended target, preventing activation of skin receptors while maintaining non-invasive operation through the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the stimulation pathway into distinct components: a surface electrode for non-invasive current entry, an implanted passive conductor for focused current routing, and a target body tissue for selective stimulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally.
2Manufacturing precision
If percutaneous leads are implanted to deliver targeted stimulation, then focused delivery to specific body areas is achieved, but the leads are unaesthetic and provide a conduit for infection
Solution Approach 1:
The implanted passive conductor serves as a mediator that remains entirely subcutaneous, eliminating the need for percutaneous leads that penetrate the skin. This approach maintains focused delivery precision while removing the infection conduit and improving aesthetics by keeping all implant components beneath the skin surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic percutaneous portion from the stimulation system by using an entirely subcutaneous passive conductor. The conductor is positioned below the skin surface and connected to surface electrodes, removing the infection risk associated with skin-penetrating leads while preserving targeted stimulation capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If miniature implantable stimulators with external coils are used for energy delivery, then focused stimulation is achieved, but the system requires expensive external coils for energy transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the external coil component from the stimulation system. Instead of using electromagnetic induction through external coils, the system uses direct electrical conduction through the implanted passive conductor, which is energized by surface electrodes. This simplifies the system architecture and removes the need for expensive external coil equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic induction mechanism (external coils generating magnetic fields for wireless energy transfer) with a direct electrical conduction mechanism. The implanted passive conductor directly conducts electrical current from surface electrodes to the target tissue, eliminating the need for complex electromagnetic coupling systems.
4Ease of operation
If TENS is used for pain relief, then non-invasive operation is maintained, but only a small fraction of delivered electrical signals is used effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The implanted passive conductor acts as an intermediary that efficiently channels electrical current from the surface electrode directly to the target body tissue. This intermediary structure ensures that the majority of the electrical energy delivered through the skin is effectively utilized for stimulation, minimizing energy loss and improving productivity.
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 approach provides focused, sub-sensational electrical stimulation to target body tissues without discomfort or infection risks, reducing costs by eliminating the need for external energy delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical conductor has a pick-up end for allowing the electrical current to flow through the conductor, and a stimulating end for delivering electrical current to the target body tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides improvements to an implant, system and method using passive electrical conductors which route electrical current to either external or implanted electrical devices, to multiple target body tissues and to selective target body tissues. The passive electrical conductor extends from subcutaneous tissue located below either a surface cathodic electrode or a surface anodic electrode a) to a target tissue to route electrical signals from the target body tissue to devices external to the body; b) to implanted electrical devices to deliver electrical current to such devices, or c) to multiple target body tissues or to selective target body tissues to stimulate the target body tissues. The conductor has specialized ends for achieving such purposes.