Photobiomodulation Lead Tip Visualization for Implantation Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable photobiomodulation systems face challenges in accurately determining the depth and position of the photobiomodulation lead during implantation, as the distal end components are often not clearly visible in medical imaging, potentially leading to tissue damage or unintended side effects.

Innovation Solution

The development of a photobiomodulation lead with a radiopaque tip and a conical light emission configuration, combined with a reference overlay or augmented reality system, allows for precise determination of the lead's distal end position during implantation, enhancing depth control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a radiopaque tip is added to the photobiomodulation lead, then the visibility of the lead tip in medical imaging is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of lead tip positionVSAvoidstructure of photobiomodulation lead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of color changes by incorporating a radiopaque tip that appears distinct (typically white or radiopaque) on medical imaging devices. This radiopaque material changes the visual appearance of the lead tip in fluoroscopic or X-ray images, enabling clear visualization of the lead's distal end position during implantation without adding complex functional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Length of moving object

If the light emitter is spaced apart from the radiopaque tip, then the light can pass beyond the tip for deeper tissue treatment, but the precision of lead tip positioning visualization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of light penetrationVSAvoidposition determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the light emitter and radiopaque tip into distinct components along the lead. The radiopaque tip is positioned distal to the light emitter, creating a segmented structure where each component serves its specific function: the tip provides visualization while the spaced-apart light emitter enables deep tissue treatment through conical light emission that extends beyond the tip location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the radiopaque tip as an intermediary element that does not block the light path. By spacing the light emitter apart from the tip, the tip acts as a visual marker (mediator) that allows physicians to see the lead position while the light passes beyond it to treat deeper tissues. The conical emission pattern ensures light extends past the intermediary tip structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a reference overlay system is implemented, then the implantation depth control is improved, but the ease of operation during implantation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation depth controlVSAvoidsimplicity of implantation procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by creating a reference overlay that replicates the expected anatomical landmarks and lead trajectory on the medical imaging display. This overlay copy provides a visual guide that matches the actual implantation field, enabling physicians to accurately determine implantation depth by comparing the overlay reference with the actual lead position and anatomical structures visible in real-time imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Enables accurate placement of the photobiomodulation lead, reducing tissue damage and side effects by providing clear visualization of the lead tip and ensuring controlled implantation depth.

Implementation Method 1

a radiopaque tip disposed distal to the light emitter, wherein the light emitter and radiopaque tip are spaced apart

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiopacity: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260000907A1Methods, implantable photobiomodulation leads, and systems for implantation depth control

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

A photobiomodulation lead can include a lead body; an enclosure coupled to the distal end portion of the lead body; a light emitter disposed in the enclosure and configured to emit light transmitted distally with a conical shape; and a radiopaque tip disposed distal to the light emitter, wherein the light emitter and radiopaque tip are spaced apart so that a portion of the light emitted with the conical shape passes distally beyond the radiopaque tip. An end of another photobiomodulation lead can be determined using a reference overlay by overlaying the reference overlay on an image of the photobiomodulation lead with first and second bounding lines aligned along opposing sides of the photobiomodulation lead in the image and a reference line positioned at a lead landmark visible in the image of the photobiomodulation lead. An end line indicates the position of the distal end of the photobiomodulation lead.