Multi-Arm Spinal Lead for Simultaneous Dorsal Root Ganglia Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional implantable electrical stimulation systems require multiple leads to simultaneously stimulate multiple dorsal root ganglia, increasing procedural complexity and time due to size constraints within the epidural space.

Innovation Solution

A multi-armed percutaneous lead with multiple stimulation arms extending from a single body, allowing simultaneous stimulation of two or more dorsal root ganglia using a single lead, with electrodes positioned along each arm to target specific ganglia through intervertebral foramina.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple leads are used to simultaneously stimulate multiple dorsal root ganglia, then complete coverage of target ganglia is achieved, but procedural complexity and implantation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete coverage of target gangliaVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple stimulation functions into a single multi-armed lead. The lead includes a main body with multiple arms extending from it, each arm containing electrodes that can be positioned at different intervertebral foramina to stimulate multiple dorsal root ganglia simultaneously. This merging approach eliminates the need for multiple separate leads while maintaining complete coverage of target ganglia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-armed lead is designed as a universal device that can stimulate multiple dorsal root ganglia at different spinal levels through a single implantation procedure. Each arm of the lead can be independently positioned to target specific ganglia, making the single lead capable of performing multiple stimulation functions that would otherwise require multiple separate leads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple leads are used to access multiple intervertebral foramina, then all target dorsal root ganglia are stimulated, but implantation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation of all target dorsal root gangliaVSAvoidimplantation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple lead implantation procedures into a single procedure by using one multi-armed lead with multiple arms. Each arm can be guided through different intervertebral foramina to reach multiple dorsal root ganglia, reducing the total implantation time compared to using multiple separate leads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-armed lead is pre-configured with multiple arms that can be independently positioned during implantation. This preliminary structure allows the surgeon to access multiple intervertebral foramina and target multiple ganglia in a single procedure, significantly reducing implantation time compared to sequential implantation of multiple leads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single lead is used to stimulate multiple dorsal root ganglia, then procedural complexity is reduced, but the lead must navigate complex three-dimensional anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural complexityVSAvoidlead configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The lead is segmented into a main body and multiple arms that can be independently positioned. Each arm can be guided through different intervertebral foramina to reach specific dorsal root ganglia, allowing the lead to navigate complex three-dimensional anatomy while maintaining a modular structure that simplifies implantation procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-armed lead extends into three-dimensional space with arms that can be positioned at different angles and locations to access multiple intervertebral foramina. This three-dimensional configuration allows a single lead to navigate complex anatomical structures and reach multiple target ganglia that would be difficult to access with a conventional linear lead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9089694B2Systems and methods for providing electrical stimulation of multiple dorsal root ganglia with a single lead

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

A method for implanting an electrical stimulation lead into a patient includes advancing a distal end of a multi-armed lead into an epidural space of the patient. The multi-armed lead includes first and second stimulation arms extending from a main body portion. The first stimulation arm is guided into and through a first intervertebral foramen. The first stimulation arm is positioned in proximity to a first dorsal root ganglion. The first stimulation arm is positioned with electrodes disposed along the first stimulation arm in operational proximity to the first dorsal root ganglion. The second stimulation arm is guided into and through a second intervertebral foramen. The second stimulation arm is positioned in proximity to a second dorsal root ganglion. The second stimulation arm is positioned with electrodes disposed along the second stimulation arm in operational proximity to the second dorsal root ganglion.