Multi-Channel Nerve Cuff with Segmented Ridges for Selective Stimulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current nerve cuff technologies face challenges in accurately fabricating multi-channel nerve cuffs with precise electrode placement and adequate flexibility to minimize neural tissue damage, while also providing effective electrical isolation and selective stimulation/recording capabilities, especially for small cuff sizes and damaged nerves.

Innovation Solution

A multi-channel nerve cuff design featuring a tubular configuration with longitudinal ridges and elevated contiguous electrode wires, made from implant-grade silicone, which allows for precise electrode placement and secure positioning, along with a method for manufacturing using a cast silicone process and specialized molds to ensure accurate assembly and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the nerve cuff wall is made from flexible biocompatible material to minimize damage to delicate neural tissue, then tissue compatibility and safety are improved, but electrode placement precision and position stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural tissue damageVSAvoidelectrode placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nerve cuff is divided into multiple independent chambers separated by longitudinal ridges. Each chamber contains a single electrode, allowing precise electrode placement in specific locations while maintaining overall cuff flexibility. The segmentation isolates each electrode's electrical field to improve recording selectivity without compromising the flexible material's ability to conform to the nerve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nerve cuff wall is made from flexible biocompatible material (such as silicone) that can be manipulated during electrode placement but is designed to be sufficiently rigid when cured to support leads and electrodes. The material properties are optimized locally to provide both flexibility for tissue compatibility and structural support for electrode stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the nerve cuff is designed with multiple chambers and electrodes for improved signal recording selectivity, then recording precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve signal recording selectivityVSAvoidcuff structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nerve cuff is divided into multiple independent chambers separated by longitudinal ridges. Each chamber contains a single electrode, allowing precise electrode placement in specific locations while maintaining overall cuff flexibility. The segmentation isolates each electrode's electrical field to improve recording selectivity without compromising the flexible material's ability to conform to the nerve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal ridges and chamber structures are pre-formed during the molding process rather than being assembled separately. This preliminary action simplifies manufacturing by integrating the complex multi-chamber structure into a single molding operation, reducing assembly steps while maintaining the selective recording capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cuff internal diameter is reduced to 2-3 mm for better nerve fit, then adaptability to damaged nerves is improved, but electrode placement and positioning become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve fit adaptabilityVSAvoidelectrode positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nerve cuff is divided into multiple independent chambers separated by longitudinal ridges. Each chamber contains a single electrode, allowing precise electrode placement in specific locations while maintaining overall cuff flexibility. The segmentation isolates each electrode's electrical field to improve recording selectivity without compromising the flexible material's ability to conform to the nerve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nerve cuff wall is made from flexible biocompatible material (such as silicone) that can be manipulated during electrode placement but is designed to be sufficiently rigid when cured to support leads and electrodes. The material properties are optimized locally to provide both flexibility for tissue compatibility and structural support for electrode stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2024026B1Nerve cuff and method for manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2013.01.02 NEUROSTREAM TECH GEN PARTNERSHIP

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AI summary

A nerve cuff comprising a wall band member having an inner surface defining a lumen when the wall band member is in a closed configuration for receiving a nerve therethrough. At least one longitudinal and contiguous conductor extends within the lumen. The conductor is insulated and has at least one exposed portion thereby providing an electrode. When mounting the nerve cuff to a nerve, each electrode is in electrical communication with the nerve. A multi-channel nerve cuff further comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges formed on the inner surface with each adjacent pair of ridges defining a longitudinal chamber. Each chamber comprises a respective conductor extending therein. When mounting the multi-channel nerve cuff to the nerve, the ridges abut the nerve providing for each chamber to isolate respective longitudinal portions of the nerve. A method and an apparatus for manufacturing such nerve cuffs are also disclosed.