Multi-Electrode Needle for Simultaneous EMG Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromyography (EMG) techniques are limited by their ability to only record electrical activity from a small subset of muscle fibers at a single needle location, leading to subjective diagnosis and prolonged testing times, especially for conditions like motor neuron disease and myasthenia gravis, due to the need for multiple needle repositioning and time-consuming off-line analysis.
Innovation Solution
A multi-electrode needle with a flexible substrate supporting multiple electrode tracks, allowing simultaneous recording of electrical activity from multiple locations at a single needle site, enabling more accurate localization and distribution of muscle fibers and nerve-muscle impulse transmission analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single recording surface at the needle tip is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is poor because only a small subset of muscle fibers is sampled
Solution Approach 1:
The needle electrode is segmented into multiple recording surfaces (first, second, and third recording surfaces) positioned at different locations along the shaft. Each recording surface independently samples electrical activity from different muscle fiber populations, enabling comprehensive coverage of the motor unit while maintaining a relatively simple overall needle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point recording (0D) to multi-point spatial recording (1D/3D) by distributing recording surfaces along the needle shaft. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous sampling from multiple locations, dramatically improving measurement precision without requiring complex multi-needle arrangements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple needle repositioning is performed to sample different muscle fiber locations, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases due to repeated repositioning and off-line analysis
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple recording surfaces are pre-positioned at predetermined locations along the needle shaft before insertion. This preliminary arrangement ensures that upon single insertion, the electrode immediately captures electrical activity from multiple muscle fiber locations simultaneously, eliminating the need for time-consuming repositioning during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple recording surfaces enable continuous simultaneous recording from multiple locations throughout the procedure. This continuous multi-point sampling maintains measurement precision while reducing total testing time, as all critical data is captured in real-time during a single needle insertion rather than requiring intermittent repositioning and off-line analysis.
3Reliability
If a single recording surface is used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of diagnosis is poor due to subjective interpretation and poor diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnosis is segmented into multiple independent measurements from different recording surfaces. Each surface provides data from a distinct muscle fiber sample, allowing objective comparison and statistical analysis across multiple data points. This segmentation transforms subjective single-point interpretation into objective multi-point analysis, significantly improving diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-surface needle serves multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously: sampling different muscle fiber populations, characterizing motor unit structure, assessing neuromuscular transmission, and evaluating muscle disease patterns. This multi-functionality enhances diagnostic reliability without substantially complicating the procedure, as all functions are achieved through a single integrated electrode design.
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
This approach allows for the simultaneous recording of electrical activity across multiple motor units, reducing the need for needle repositioning, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and enabling rapid calculation of nerve-muscle impulse stability, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of EMG diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode track having a first recording surface region for providing a first probe response signal responsive to localised electrical activity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously providing a plurality of probe response signals indicative of electrical activity at a respective plurality of locations in a patient. The apparatus comprises a rigid needle shaft element comprising a piercing tip and a substrate supporting a plurality of electrode tracks, secured to the needle shaft element and extending along the shaft element away from the piercing tip. Each electrode track extends from a sensing end region arranged for providing a respective probe response signal responsive to localised electrical activity, along the region of the substrate, to a respective bond pad connection region. Recording surface regions of the plurality of electrode tracks are spaced apart in a plurality of substantially linear spaced apart configurations along the substrate.