Implantable Lead Conductor Segmentation for MRI Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable electrical stimulation systems are incompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to RF pulses causing unwanted heating and tissue damage, as well as premature failure of electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The design of implantable leads with conductors arranged in alternating single-coil and multi-coil regions, along with support elements to increase stiffness, which helps mitigate the effects of RF irradiation during MRI by distributing stress and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional implantable electrical stimulation systems are used, then electrical stimulation therapy can be provided, but the systems are incompatible with MRI due to RF pulses causing unwanted heating and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor is divided into multiple segments (first conductor segment, second conductor segment, third conductor segment) arranged in alternating single-coil and multi-coil regions. This segmentation allows different portions of the conductor to have different coil configurations, which helps distribute and mitigate the effects of RF irradiation during MRI while maintaining electrical stimulation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the conductor are given different properties through the alternating single-coil and multi-coil arrangement. The single-coil regions provide one characteristic while the multi-coil regions provide another, allowing local optimization to reduce RF heating and improve MRI compatibility without compromising overall system performance
2Strength
If conductors are arranged in alternating single-coil and multi-coil regions with support elements, then the stiffness and structural integrity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor is segmented into multiple regions with different coil configurations (single-coil and multi-coil), and support elements are placed at specific locations along the conductor. This segmentation approach allows targeted reinforcement of areas needing additional stiffness while maintaining flexibility in other regions, balancing structural integrity with manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Support elements are strategically positioned at specific locations along the conductor rather than uniformly throughout. This local reinforcement approach provides enhanced stiffness and structural integrity where needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity in regions where the existing conductor structure is already sufficient
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable lead includes a lead body. A plurality of conductors are disposed within the lead body and electrically couple at least one electrode to at least one terminal. At least one of the conductors includes a plurality of units. Each of the units includes a first conductor segment extending along the lead body from a beginning point to a first position, a second conductor segment extending from the first position to a second position, and a third conductor segment extending along the elongated member from the second position to an endpoint. The conductor segments are arranged so as to form alternating single-coil regions and multi-coil regions. At least one support element is disposed along at least a portion of at least one of the single-coil regions and is configured and arranged to increase the stiffness of the at least one of the single-coil regions.