Micro Lead Segmented Electrode Design for Directional Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical electrodes face challenges such as complexity and cost in production, instability in biological environments, limited flexibility in segment positioning, and high impedance due to small electrode segment surfaces, leading to potential tissue damage and reduced stimulation effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A segmented medical electrode design featuring a conductor with insulation, protrusions, and electrode segments with steps that engage with insulating areas, allowing for independent positioning and improved electrical properties, is proposed. The production process involves a cable with partially removed insulation, electrode segments with steps, and insulating areas formed by a shrinkable plastic, enabling a cost-efficient and flexible manufacturing approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of electrode segments is increased to improve stimulation effectiveness, then the electrode segment surface area decreases, leading to high impedance and potential tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple segments (e.g., 4 segments) along its length, allowing independent positioning and flexible configuration. Each segment can be independently adjusted to optimize stimulation patterns while maintaining adequate surface area through the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode segments are arranged not only along the longitudinal axis but also positioned radially around the conductor, creating a three-dimensional configuration. This multi-dimensional arrangement increases the effective stimulation coverage without reducing individual segment surface area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the electrode diameter is reduced to minimize injury risk, then the electrode segment surface area becomes very small, resulting in high current densities and reduced stimulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode, the effective stimulation surface is distributed across multiple segments rather than concentrated in one large contact area. This allows the use of smaller diameter electrodes while maintaining adequate total stimulation surface area and current density distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Each electrode segment can be optimized with specific surface properties, such as increased surface area through micro-structuring or coating, allowing local enhancement of electrical properties without increasing the overall electrode diameter.
3Length of moving object
If thin film processes are used to produce small electrodes, then the production complexity increases and the electrodes become unstable in biological environments
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode segments are integrated directly onto the conductor in a single production process, combining the conductor and electrode segments into one unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate thin film deposition processes and reduces production complexity while maintaining stability in biological environments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If segmented electrodes with many components are used to achieve flexible positioning, then the production cost increases and expensive product-specific tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into a limited number of sections (e.g., 4 segments) that can be independently positioned. This moderate segmentation provides sufficient flexibility for most applications while avoiding the complexity and cost of highly segmented designs with many individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design uses standardized components and a universal production process that can accommodate different segmentation configurations. This allows the same basic design and manufacturing approach to be used across multiple product variants, reducing the need for expensive product-specific tools.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect relates to a medical electrode, having a conductor, an insulation, which surrounds the conductor at least in some sections over its entire circumference, protrusions in the insulation, electrode segments arranged between the protrusions, and insulating areas arranged between the electrode segments, wherein the electrode segments have steps, wherein the steps engage with the insulating areas.