Micromagnetic Stimulation Microcoil for Peripheral Nerve Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrical stimulation for the peripheral nervous system faces issues such as tissue damage due to oxidation and reduction phenomena, and interference with MRI scans, while conventional magnetic stimulation requires large coils that are impractical for implantation.
Innovation Solution
The use of micromagnetic stimulation employing microcoils, sized on the order of millimeters or less, which induce a time-varying magnetic field to activate or suppress peripheral nerves without direct charge transfer, allowing for easy implantation and reducing MRI interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is used to stimulate peripheral nerves, then nerve activation is achieved, but tissue damage occurs due to oxidation and reduction phenomena at the electrode-tissue interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical stimulation with direct charge transfer (mechanical/electrical interface) with magnetic stimulation that uses electromagnetic induction. The microcoil generates a time-varying magnetic field that induces current in the nerve tissue without direct electrical contact, eliminating the electrode-tissue interface and associated redox reactions that cause tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the energy source and the nerve tissue. Instead of directly applying electrical current through metal electrodes, the system uses a time-varying magnetic field generated by the microcoil to indirectly induce current in the nerve, thereby avoiding direct charge transfer and harmful redox phenomena at the interface.
2Reliability
If electrical stimulation electrodes are implanted, then peripheral nerve stimulation is achieved, but MRI scanning is limited due to heat sink effect and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metal electrode contacts with a magnetic field-based stimulation system. The microcoil and lead construction are specifically designed to be MRI-compatible, eliminating the heat sink effect and electromagnetic interference problems associated with traditional metal electrodes during MRI scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of stimulation delivery from direct electrical current through metal contacts to time-varying magnetic field induction. This parameter change makes the system compatible with MRI environments by removing the heat generation and interference issues inherent to metal electrodes.
3Reliability
If conventional magnetic stimulation is used, then nerve activation without redox phenomena is achieved, but the coil size becomes too large for practical implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic stimulation system into a compact implantable microcoil unit and an external stimulator. The microcoil is designed with dimensions suitable for implantation (e.g., 4mm diameter), while the power-intensive stimulation circuitry is placed externally, allowing safe magnetic stimulation with clinically acceptable coil sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional large-scale magnetic stimulation coils to a miniaturized microcoil geometry that can be implanted. This involves changing the spatial dimensions and configuration of the coil, potentially using multi-layer or planar designs that achieve the necessary magnetic field strength in a much smaller volume.
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
Micromagnetic stimulation effectively activates or suppresses peripheral nerves with high spatial resolution and minimal tissue damage, avoiding the limitations of electrical stimulation and the size constraints of traditional magnetic stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
A time-varying current can be delivered through a microcoil to generate a corresponding time-varying magnetic field in the adjacent excitable tissue. An electric field gradient can be induced within one or more axons within the portion of the peripheral nerve based on the time-varying magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can employ micromagnetic stimulation to activate and/or suppress conduction in at least a portion of a peripheral nerve. The system can include a stimulator to provide a time-varying stimulus. The system can also include a microcoil that can be operatively coupled to the stimulator to receive the time-varying stimulus. Based on the time-varying stimulus, the microcoil can provide an electromagnetic induction to the peripheral nerve to activate and/or suppress conduction.