Low-profile intercranial device fluid passageways grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Functional neurosurgical implants within the skull face challenges in achieving proper grounding, which is essential for their operation, due to difficulties in establishing effective contact with bodily fluids.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile intercranial device with a static cranial implant featuring a base member and a cover member, including a recess with fluid passageways that allow for the flow of bodily fluids between the external environment and the implant, ensuring reliable grounding and impedance measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a functional neurosurgical implant is positioned within the skull, then the implant can perform its functional operation, but proper grounding becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the cranial implant with fluid passageways) that mediates between the functional implant and the bodily fluids. The fluid passageways serve as conduits that enable reliable grounding by allowing bodily fluids to contact the implant through the cranial structure, thus solving the grounding difficulty without compromising the implant's functional positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluid dynamics (hydraulics) by incorporating fluid passageways that allow bodily fluids to flow through and contact the functional implant. This hydraulic approach enables reliable electrical grounding through fluid contact, transforming the grounding problem from a mechanical contact issue into a fluid-based solution that works effectively within the cranial environment.
2Reliability
If fluid passageways are incorporated to improve grounding, then grounding reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the grounding function with the existing cranial implant structure by integrating fluid passageways into the cranial body. Rather than adding a separate grounding system, the fluid passageways are incorporated into the cranial implant itself, allowing the same structure to serve both structural support and grounding functions, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cranial implant structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables fluid flow for grounding, and maintains the functional implant in position. The fluid passageways are integrated into the cranial body, allowing this single component to perform both mechanical and electrical grounding functions, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components.
3Reliability
If the cranial implant provides fluid communication for grounding, then grounding is improved, but pressure differentials may cause fluid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic pressure equalization mechanisms that allow the system to adapt to pressure differentials. The fluid passageways are designed to respond to pressure changes, enabling fluid flow that equalizes pressure between the cranial interior and exterior, thus preventing harmful fluid accumulation while maintaining grounding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid communication system provides feedback pressure equalization where pressure differentials automatically drive fluid flow through the passageways. This feedback mechanism ensures that when pressure changes occur, fluid flows to equalize the pressure, preventing both fluid accumulation and maintaining grounding reliability without requiring external control systems.
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 device provides convenient and reliable grounding for functional neurosurgical implants, minimizing pressure differentials and preventing fluid accumulation, while also allowing for temperature regulation and energy harvesting, thus ensuring proper operation and reducing complications like infections and micromotion.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one fluid passageway extending between the inner second surface and the recess allowing for the flow of bodily fluid between an external environment of the base cranial implant member and a cavity defined by the recess
Implementation Method 2
the at least one fluid passageway is shaped and dimensioned to allow for fluid communication syphoning heat from the intercranial device
Implementation Method 3
the at least one fluid passageway is shaped and dimensioned to allow for fluid communication syphoning cold from the intercranial device
Data Source
AI summary
A low-profile intercranial device adapted for housing a functional neurosurgical implant in manner providing for convenient and reliable grounding to ensure proper impedance measurements includes a static cranial implant including a base cranial implant member including an outer first surface, an inner second surface, and a recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving a functional neurosurgical implant. The low-profile intercranial device includes a plurality of fluid passageways extending between the inner second surface and the recess allowing for the flow of bodily fluid between an external environment of the base cranial implant member and a cavity defined by the recess.