Implantable Nerve Electrode Polymer Jacket Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable nerve electrodes face issues with fragile conductive paths and low electrical strength of silicone, leading to mechanical instability and limited integration density, with existing solutions failing to adequately address these problems.
Innovation Solution
The use of mechanically rigid and electrically insulating polymer jackets, such as parylene, around each conductive path within a composite silicone-metal structure enhances mechanical stability and electrical insulation, allowing for higher integration density and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conductive paths are made thin to increase integration density, then integration density is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by providing individual protective jackets for each conductive path rather than a single common protective layer. Each jacket is applied around a specific conductive path, allowing independent protection and maintaining the fragility benefits of thin conductive paths while providing targeted mechanical protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining different protective layers: an inner protective layer applied directly to each conductive path and an outer protective layer encompassing multiple conductive paths. This multi-layer composite structure provides both localized and distributed mechanical protection, enabling thin conductive paths to maintain both high integration density and adequate mechanical stability.
2Strength
If silicone thickness is increased to improve mechanical protection, then mechanical stability is improved, but electrical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protective function into distinct layers with different purposes: an inner protective layer providing mechanical protection close to each conductive path, and an outer protective layer providing additional mechanical protection and environmental sealing. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer's thickness and material properties independently, achieving both mechanical protection and electrical strength without relying on thick silicone alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective jackets act as intermediary layers between the conductive paths and the silicone substrate. These intermediate protective layers provide the necessary mechanical strength and electrical insulation, reducing the reliance on thick silicone while maintaining both mechanical protection and electrical strength requirements.
3Strength
If meandering lines are used to increase extensibility, then mechanical stability is improved, but integration density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing protective jackets around conductive paths before implantation. These pre-applied protective layers absorb and distribute mechanical stresses during handling and implantation, providing extensibility and mechanical stability without requiring meandering geometries that would reduce integration density.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable nerve electrode is provided that comprises an electrically insulating substrate with conductor traces running therein, electrode contacts and connection contacts, wherein the conductor traces connect the electrode contacts to the connection contacts, and wherein the electrode contacts can be connected to the nerves of a nervous system, each of the conductor traces having an at least partial sheathing made of a polymer that is mechanically strong and a good insulator. Also provided is a method for producing an implantable nerve electrode.