Injectable Wire Electrode Structure for Tissue Assimilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable electrodes face issues such as systemic side effects, traumatic implantation, dispersion of micron-sized particles, and inability to maintain efficacy due to fibrotic tissue intervention, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential removal challenges.
Innovation Solution
An injectable wire structure electrode composed of ultra-thin, flexible, and conductive wires, which can be compacted into a small volume for minimally invasive insertion, featuring overlapping loops and folds, and a roughened porous surface to minimize tissue irritation and promote biocompatibility, allowing for high charge injection capacity and chronic placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If micron-sized conductive particles are mixed into flowable curable glue for minimally invasive injection, then implantation trauma is reduced, but the particles can dissipate or be moved after immune defenses intervene, reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible curable glue matrix to encapsulate conductive particles, forming a cohesive gel structure that maintains particle positioning while allowing minimally invasive injection. The glue acts as a flexible shell that holds particles together, preventing dispersion while maintaining the ability to flow through injection catheters and conform to target tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining conductive particles with curable glue to form a gel electrode. This composite structure integrates the high conductivity of particles with the structural integrity and adhesion properties of the glue matrix, solving both the trauma reduction and efficacy maintenance problems simultaneously.
2Strength
If rigid implantable electrodes are used to ensure mechanical strength, then structural integrity is maintained, but tissue irritation increases and encapsulation thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible gel electrode that can be injected through minimally invasive catheters and conforms to target tissue contours. This flexible structure reduces mechanical irritation to surrounding tissues compared to rigid electrodes, while the curable glue provides sufficient structural integrity to maintain electrode shape and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the electrode from rigid to flexible by using a curable glue matrix. This parameter change allows the electrode to be softer and more compliant with tissue, reducing irritation and encapsulation thickness while maintaining functional integrity through the conductive particle network.
3Reliability
If highly conductive materials are used to ensure energy transmission, then conductivity is improved, but mechanical flexibility and injectability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite gel electrode combining highly conductive particles with a flowable curable glue matrix. The particles provide the necessary electrical conductivity for energy transmission, while the glue matrix provides the flowability needed for injection through minimally invasive catheters. After injection, the glue cures to provide structural support for the conductive network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the glue material - flowable in liquid state for injection, then curable to gel state for structural integrity. This parameter change allows the electrode to transition from an injectable fluid to a stable solid structure that maintains high conductivity while being minimally invasive.
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
The wire structure electrode maintains high conductivity, flexibility, and biocompatibility, enabling precise targeting of nerve and tissue interfaces with minimal encapsulation, supporting long-term energy transmission and assimilation into the body without significant inflammation or impediment.
Implementation Method 1
a folded wire structure electrode can be designed and configured to transmit energy within the body at a higher conductivity for this energy than for surrounding tissues and achieve a change in metabolic activity or structure
Implementation Method 2
compacting the spools to a folded wire structure having voids and a roughened and porous surface
Data Source
AI summary
An injectable wire structure electrode can assimilate with surrounding tissues after injection, inducing in-growth of blood vessels, collagen and other tissue. Assimilation secures the electrode to the tissue without sutures and prevents relative motion which can lead to inflammation and scarring. Associated methods of manufacturing and injection are disclosed, as well as systems including a dermal multiplexer for power delivery.