Nerve Cuff Lead Securing Mechanisms for Adjustable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable electrical stimulation systems face challenges in securely attaching cuff leads to nerves, particularly in ensuring a snug fit without excessive pressure and facilitating easy explantation, while maintaining electrical connectivity and adjustability.
Innovation Solution
The development of cuff leads with innovative securing mechanisms, such as interleaving securing rings, clip mechanisms, and adjustable cuffs, allows for secure attachment to nerves with adjustable diameters, enabling easy explantation and maintaining electrical connectivity through conductors and electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional securing methods are used to attach cuff leads to nerves, then attachment is achieved, but the fit cannot be adjusted and explantation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is divided into multiple discrete securing rings that can be independently positioned along the cuff lead. These rings can be individually adjusted to achieve the desired fit, allowing the cuff diameter to be customized for different nerve sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing rings are designed to be movable along the cuff lead body, enabling dynamic adjustment of the cuff diameter. This allows the device to adapt to different nerve sizes and provides ease of explantation by simply removing the securing rings, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one.
2Reliability
If secure attachment is achieved through tight fitting, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but excessive pressure is applied to the nerve
Solution Approach 1:
The securing rings apply pressure locally at discrete points along the cuff rather than distributing pressure uniformly. This allows electrical connectivity to be maintained at the contact points while minimizing overall pressure on the nerve by creating pressure-free zones between the rings.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable nature of the securing rings allows the fit to be optimized dynamically - tight enough to maintain electrical connectivity where needed, but loose enough in other areas to prevent excessive pressure on the nerve, achieving a balanced state between reliability and harm reduction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If permanent attachment structures are used, then stability is achieved, but explantation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is segmented into multiple removable securing rings rather than a single permanent fixture. Each ring can be independently removed, providing stable attachment during use while enabling easy explantation by simply taking off the individual rings without damaging the nerve or surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing rings act as intermediary elements between the cuff lead and the nerve. They provide the necessary stability for electrical connectivity while serving as a removable interface that facilitates easy explantation, mediating between the need for stable attachment and the need for reversible installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A cuff lead can include securing rings disposed along the first and second edges of a cuff body and an elongate securing body for insertion through the interleaved securing rings to hold the securing rings of the first and second edge in an interleaved configuration. A cuff lead can include a slot portion disposed along a first edge of a cuff body, the slot portion defining an opening, and a tab disposed along a second edge of the cuff body for securing the cuff lead to a nerve. A cuff lead can include two cuff body pieces engaging each other to form a hinge for moving between an open position for receiving a nerve and closed position. A cuff lead can include a tunnel extending through a cuff body and an elongate body for insertion through the tunnel.