Offset Slot Retainer Tabs for Flexible Electrode Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microstimulator implantation devices face challenges in maintaining precise placement of flexible electrodes near target nerves during surgery, leading to potential displacement and increased power requirements, which can diminish battery life and necessitate additional surgeries for repositioning.
Innovation Solution
The electrode implantation device features a hollow tube with offset slots and retainer tabs that securely retain a flexible electrode during insertion and withdrawal, ensuring accurate placement and minimizing movement, with visual depth marks for precise penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hollow implantation tool is used to deliver a microstimulator, then the microstimulator can be implanted minimally invasively, but the microstimulator may move from the desired location during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the microstimulator with a deformable portion that can be compressed during implantation. This allows the device to be delivered through a narrow catheter in a compressed state, then automatically expand to its functional shape at the target site, ensuring both minimally invasive delivery and precise placement without movement during implantation
2Reliability
If the microstimulator is repositioned closer to the nerve, then stimulation effectiveness improves, but additional surgery is required which increases risk and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the deformable portion of the microstimulator that automatically changes from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded functional configuration upon deployment. This self-transforming mechanism ensures the microstimulator achieves optimal positioning and orientation at the target site without requiring additional surgical intervention, thereby eliminating the need for repositioning surgery and associated tissue damage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a hollow electrode implantation device for inserting a flexible electrode, such as a Memberg electrode, in living tissue. The inserter has a longitudinal slot that accepts the electrode into the hollow center of the electrode implantation device. The slot is offset at least once forming one or more offset slots, where retainer tabs define the slots and assure retention of the electrode in the implantation device during insertion of the electrode into living tissue.