Intraluminal Electrode Sensing Through Lumen Wall Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biopotential signals are attenuated and stimulation coupling into target tissue is reduced due to the insulating effect of body lumen walls, making it difficult to detect evoked biosignals such as ECAPs, ECMAPS, and ERNAs for neural state monitoring and stimulation optimization.
Innovation Solution
An intra-luminal electrode system is implanted within a lumen of an anatomical structure to sense and deliver electrical stimulation, enhancing the detection of evoked biosignals like ECAPs and ERNAs, which are indicative of neural states, and optimizing stimulation parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electrode is placed within a lumen of an anatomical structure, then the electrode can sense biopotential signals and deliver electrical stimulation, but the insulating effect of the lumen walls attenuates the biopotential signal amplitudes and reduces stimulation coupling into target tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by placing the electrode within the lumen space, using the lumen itself as a conductive pathway. The electrode acts as a mediator that can both sense biopotential signals and deliver stimulation through the lumen wall to target tissue, resolving the contradiction by optimizing the positioning and electrical characteristics of the electrode interface with the lumen walls
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the electrical properties of the electrode-lumen interface, including modifying the electrode geometry, material composition, and electrical impedance characteristics. These parameter optimizations enable effective signal detection and stimulation coupling despite the insulating effect of the lumen walls
2Manufacturing precision
If the electrode is positioned proximal to target tissue through the lumen, then the device achieves intimate contact with anatomical targets, but the lumen wall insulation reduces the effectiveness of electrical stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the electrode properties specifically at the interface with the lumen walls and target tissue. The electrode design incorporates localized regions with different electrical characteristics to enhance coupling efficiency at critical interfaces, ensuring effective stimulation delivery while maintaining precise positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing impedance matching and electrical interface optimization during the electrode design and positioning phases. This preliminary preparation ensures that when electrical stimulation is delivered, the energy is efficiently coupled into the target tissue despite the insulating lumen wall, reducing the need for high power delivery
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 intra-luminal electrode system improves the detection of neural states by eliciting measurable responses that would otherwise be undetectable, aiding in determining optimal stimulation locations and ensuring device patency and intimate contact with anatomical targets.
Implementation Method 1
sensing circuitry configured to detect bioelectrical signals from the patient via the electrode
Implementation Method 2
electrical stimulation circuitry configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Sensing an evoked response to electrical stimulation of target tissue of a patient in conjunction with an intra-luminal electrode. The intra-luminal electrode may be implanted in a blood vessel or similar lumen proximal to the target tissue and the sensed signals and/or delivered stimulation may pass through the blood vessel. or other lumen, walls. In some examples the evoked response may be an evoked compound action potential (ECAP), which may also be evoked resonant neural activity (ERNA). The electrical stimulation may elicit a measurable response indicative of a thought pattern or neural state that would otherwise be undetectable using a non-evoked biopotential.