Lead Extension Connector Flange Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical stimulation systems for deep brain stimulation face challenges in precisely targeting neural tissue due to the ring-shaped electrodes, leading to undirected stimulation and potential side effects from unwanted neural tissue activation.
Innovation Solution
The development of improved lead extensions with connectors that include flanges extending outward from the connector housing, which stabilize and secure the lead extensions to patient tissue, allowing for more precise placement and reduced skin erosion, and the use of conductors to electrically couple terminals, enabling directed stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ring-shaped electrodes are used for deep brain stimulation, then the stimulation can be delivered to target neurons, but the stimulus current cannot be directed to specific positions around the ring electrode, resulting in undirected stimulation and unwanted activation of neighboring neural tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The ring electrode is divided into multiple discrete contact points or segments around the circumference. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific regions around the lead, enabling directional stimulation toward target neurons while avoiding unwanted activation of neighboring neural tissue. The segmented design transforms the continuous ring electrode into a multi-directional stimulation array.
2Reliability
If conventional connectors are used for lead extensions, then the lead extension can be implanted, but the connector may cause skin erosion and lead extension failure due to lack of stabilization and secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates flanges that extend radially outward from the connector housing in addition to the longitudinal axis. This adds a radial dimension to the connector structure, providing broader surface area for distribution and stabilization. The flanges help distribute mechanical stresses and improve securement to surrounding tissues, reducing skin erosion and enhancing overall reliability.
3Reliability
If the connector is stabilized and secured to patient tissue, then skin erosion and lead extension failure are reduced, but the implantation procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing and securing functions are integrated into the connector housing itself through incorporated flanges, rather than requiring separate stabilization components or procedures. The flanges are formed as part of the connector structure, combining mechanical support, tissue distribution, and securement functions in a single integrated component, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing procedural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a connector disposed on a first end of a body. The connector includes a housing defining at least one port. Each of the at least one ports is configured to receive a proximal end of a lead. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed in each of the at least one ports. The connector contacts are configured to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the housing. A first connector flange extends outwardly from a first side of the housing. A plurality of conductors extend along a length of the lead extension and electrically couple at least one of the connector contacts to at least one terminal disposed on a second end of the body.