Multi-Arm Neurostimulation Probe for Deep Brain Tissue Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deep brain stimulation probes are limited in their ability to stimulate a large volume of brain tissue due to their rectilinear shape, which can cause significant irreversible lesions when deploying flexible stems, and they cannot be implanted to stay, making them less effective and more traumatic for patients.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a tubular body and radially projecting arms, actuated by a spring or cable, allowing for the stimulation of a larger volume of brain tissue with minimal trauma, featuring biocompatible materials and adjustable electrode placement for optimal targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rectilinear probe is used for deep brain stimulation, then the insertion is less traumatic for the patient, but the stimulation of only a very small region of brain tissue is enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into multiple rigid arms (typically four) that can be independently positioned. Each arm can be advanced to a different depth and orientation, allowing stimulation of multiple discrete brain regions simultaneously while maintaining a single insertion trajectory, thus resolving the contradiction between minimal insertion trauma and expanded stimulation volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe transitions from a single linear trajectory to a three-dimensional configuration with arms extending in multiple directions from a common insertion point. This dimensional expansion allows the probe to reach and stimulate a larger volume of brain tissue without requiring multiple separate insertion paths, thereby maintaining low insertion trauma while increasing stimulated volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple probes are implanted to target distinct points of a single target region, then more choice of zones to stimulate is available, but the multiplication of risks and collateral effects from the intervention increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stimulation functions that would traditionally require separate probes are merged into a single multi-armed probe structure. All arms share a common insertion path and base structure, consolidating what would be multiple surgical interventions into one, thereby reducing cumulative risks and collateral effects while maintaining the ability to target multiple zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The single probe is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple stimulation tasks through its various arms. Each arm can be independently configured to target different brain regions, making the single probe equivalent in capability to multiple separate probes, thus achieving versatility without multiplying surgical risks.
3Area of stationary object
If flexible stems are used to deploy electrodes in a tetrahedral configuration, then stimulation of a volume of nerve tissue is enabled, but significant irreversible lesions of the brain tissue are likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The probe employs a tetrahedral geometric configuration with rigid arms positioned at specific angles relative to each other. This predetermined angular arrangement allows the arms to naturally separate and expand into the target tissue volume without requiring flexible bending or twisting motions that would cause shear stress and irreversible lesions, while still achieving three-dimensional tissue engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment mechanism is replaced from a flexible elastic system (which would bend and twist through tissue causing damage) to a rigid mechanical system with predetermined geometry. The rigid arms are positioned at fixed angles and separated by spacing elements, allowing volume stimulation through geometric expansion rather than flexible deformation, thereby eliminating irreversible tissue lesions.
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 non-traumatic implantation and stimulation of a larger brain tissue volume with reduced risk of tissue damage, allowing for more precise and effective deep brain stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring or cable actuates the arms to transition from a retracted position inside the tubular body to a projected radial position
Data Source
AI summary
Probe (1) for deep electrical neurostimulation, and more specifically for deep brain electrostimulation, comprising:a tubular body (10) of biocompatible material with a lateral wall (11) defining a lumen (12) and a closed anterior end (13), said tubular body (11) can be introduced for at least a part of its length inside a patient's body for reaching a region to be stimulated;wherein it also comprises:a plurality of electrically insulating arms (32) each bearing at least one electrode (40) and being able to pass from a first position in which they are housed inside of said tubular body (11) to a second position in which they project radially from this latter and inversely; andmeans (20 and 50) for making said arms (32) pass from said first position to said second position and inversely.