Nerve Holder Case Constrains Electrode Array Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insertion of microelectrodes into nerves often results in buckling due to mechanical resistance and foreign body responses from excessive tissue displacement and trauma during surgical implantation, which affects the stability and reliability of bioelectronic interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A bioelectric interface with a nerve holder case that restricts the electrode array's movement to one degree of freedom, allowing precise and controlled insertion of microelectrode shanks into nerves, minimizing movement-related trauma and foreign body responses, and featuring a sandwiched electrode array between top and bottom parts of the case for stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microelectrodes are inserted into nerves without a nerve holder case, then the insertion process is simpler and faster, but the electrodes experience buckling due to mechanical resistance and excessive tissue displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a nerve holder case for positioning and protection, and an electrode array for neural recording and stimulation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to solve the buckling problem through coordinated action.
Solution Approach 2:
The nerve holder case acts as an intermediary structure between the electrode array and the nerve tissue. It provides a stable interface that transmits forces from the electrode shanks to the nerve while preventing excessive displacement and trauma, thereby eliminating buckling without directly contacting the tissue.
2Ease of operation
If the electrode array is allowed to move freely during insertion, then the insertion process is easier and requires less control, but movement-related trauma and foreign body responses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic control of movement through the nerve holder case, which allows the electrode array to move in a controlled manner during insertion while restricting unnecessary movement. This dynamic constraint system enables easy insertion while minimizing tissue trauma by preventing erratic or excessive movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The nerve holder case changes the movement parameters of the electrode array by constraining it to a specific path and limiting the range of motion. This parameter control ensures that insertion occurs with minimal force and movement variation, thereby reducing tissue trauma and foreign body responses while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode array is not restricted to one degree of freedom, then the insertion process is more flexible and adaptable, but the electrodes experience excessive movement and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the flexibility needed for insertion (provided by the nerve holder case) from the stability needed for operation (provided by the electrode array mounting). This segmentation allows the system to be adaptable during insertion while maintaining stability once positioned, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nerve holder case performs preliminary action by pre-positioning and pre-aligning the electrode array before insertion. This preliminary stabilization ensures that the electrode array is ready for insertion with the correct orientation and position, allowing flexible insertion while maintaining stability throughout the process.
4Productivity
If microelectrodes are inserted without a case restricting movement, then the insertion speed is higher and the process is faster, but buckling forces increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nerve holder case performs preliminary positioning and alignment of the electrode array before insertion begins. This pre-preparation ensures that the electrodes are correctly oriented and positioned, allowing for faster, more accurate insertion without increasing buckling forces or compromising reliability, as the electrodes are already stabilized in the correct configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The nerve holder case serves as an intermediary that transmits forces efficiently from the electrode shanks to the nerve tissue while preventing buckling. This intermediary structure allows rapid insertion by providing a stable force transmission path, thereby maintaining both high productivity and high reliability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A bioelectric interface is provided. The bioelectric interface comprises a case having a channel configured to hold a nerve. An electrode array is slidably coupled to the case, wherein the electrode array comprises a number of electrode shanks. The case restricts movement of the electrode array to one degree of freedom toward or away from the nerve held in the channel for insertion of the electrode shanks into the nerve.