Nerve Cuff with Elastic Collar and Snap Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nerve cuff electrodes face challenges in consistently positioning and securing nerve cuffs, leading to difficulties in precise stimulation and monitoring, particularly due to issues with self-curling designs that easily detach and lack of closure mechanisms, resulting in inefficient energy use and inconsistent nerve contact.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible cuff with a closure mechanism featuring snap-together male and female elements, a resilient sleeve for strain relief, and an elastic collar made from biodegradable materials that applies gradual pressure to reshape the nerve, allowing for single-step closure and reduced stress on the nerve during placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If self-curling sheet design is used, then ease of placement is improved, but stability and consistent nerve contact deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff is divided into a self-curling sheet portion for ease of placement and a separate closure mechanism with male and female elements. The self-curling sheet can be easily positioned around the nerve, then the closure mechanism secures it in place, combining ease of operation with stable contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-curling sheet is pre-formed with curling characteristics that enable automatic positioning around the nerve when released. This preliminary preparation allows the cuff to self-position without complex manipulation, improving ease of placement while maintaining the ability to secure stable contact through the closure mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If helix cuff is used, then nerve flexibility is improved, but positioning precision and closure reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff combines a flexible helical or self-curling portion that adapts to nerve movement with a separate closure mechanism featuring male and female elements. This segmentation allows the flexible portion to accommodate nerve flexibility requirements while the closure mechanism provides precise positioning and reliable closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism acts as an intermediary between the flexible cuff body and the nerve. It provides the precise positioning and secure attachment needed, while the flexible cuff body maintains contact with the moving nerve. The closure mechanism mediates between the need for flexibility and the need for precision.
3Reliability
If traditional cuff closure methods are used, then nerve security is improved, but placement time and procedural complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism integrates the male and female elements directly into the cuff structure, combining the securing function with the cuff body. This allows the cuff to be placed and secured in a single continuous action, improving nerve security while reducing placement time by eliminating separate closure steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female closure elements are designed to automatically engage with each other when the cuff is positioned around the nerve. This self-service closure mechanism eliminates the need for additional manual securing operations, providing reliable nerve security while minimizing placement time.
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
The solution enables precise and consistent nerve cuff placement with reduced pressure on the nerve, improving energy efficiency and signal quality by allowing for selective stimulation and monitoring of nerve fibers with minimal damage, while the biodegradable material ensures a gradual and controlled reshaping process.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic collar made from biodegradable materials that applies gradual pressure to reshape the nerve
Implementation Method 2
a resilient sleeve for strain relief
Data Source
AI summary
A system for functional electrical stimulation can include a cuff and a stimulation device. The cuff can be attachable to a nerve or a muscle filament. The cuff can include an elastic collar configured to exert a force on the nerve or the muscle filament to reshape the nerve or the muscle filament to the internal configuration of an opening in the elastic collar. The stimulation device can be coupled to the cuff and configured to provide a stimulation waveform to the cuff.