Percutaneous Electrode Lead Placement for Post-Amputation Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for neurostimulation, particularly for treating post-amputation pain, face challenges such as complex procedures for electrode placement, issues with electrode migration leading to reduced effectiveness, and the use of bulky external devices or invasive implantable systems with limitations in long-term use and patient compliance.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for placing percutaneous electrode leads in tissue near target peripheral nerves to provide electrical stimulation, specifically using a "nerves of passage" stimulation approach where leads are placed in muscles near nerve trunks that pass through the painful area, allowing for effective pain relief without the need for frequent reprogramming or invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If percutaneous electrode leads are placed in tissue near target peripheral nerves, then pain relief effectiveness is improved, but the risk of lead migration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing the electrode lead in the muscle tissue near the nerve trunk before the nerve injury occurs, allowing the lead to be positioned in advance in the optimal location for future stimulation. This prevents the need for subsequent surgical intervention to reposition the lead if migration occurs, as the lead is already in the correct position to provide effective pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses muscle tissue as an intermediary medium to place the electrode lead near the nerve trunk. Instead of directly placing the lead on or in the nerve (which would be more invasive and riskier), the lead is placed in the adjacent muscle tissue, serving as a protective intermediary that reduces the risk of direct nerve damage while still allowing effective electrical stimulation for pain relief.
2Reliability
If existing neurostimulation systems are used, then therapeutic benefits are provided, but the procedures for placing electrodes are complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrode placement procedure from complex surgical intervention by using a percutaneous approach where the lead is inserted through the skin into the muscle tissue using a minimally invasive technique. This extraction simplifies the overall procedure by removing the need for complex surgical dissection and positioning, while still achieving the same therapeutic benefit of providing electrical stimulation to the nerve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical surgical procedures with a simpler percutaneous insertion method. Instead of using surgical instruments to dissect and position electrodes through multiple tissue layers, the lead is inserted through a small percutaneous tract, substituting the complex mechanical surgical system with a simpler minimally invasive insertion system that achieves the same therapeutic outcome.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external neurostimulators with surface electrodes are used, then non-invasive treatment is achieved, but the devices are bulky and awkward to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the electrode lead inside the muscle tissue near the nerve trunk, creating a nested configuration where the lead is housed within the body's natural structures. This nesting approach eliminates the need for bulky external devices, as the lead is contained within the muscle tissue, reducing the overall device size while maintaining non-invasive treatment characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface electrode configuration to a three-dimensional intramuscular placement near the nerve trunk. This dimensional change allows the electrode to be positioned in the depth of the tissue where it can effectively stimulate the nerve, eliminating the need for large external devices and enabling a more compact, manageable system.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If implanted electrodes are used for neurostimulation, then long-term therapy is possible, but the electrodes can migrate and reduce effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the electrode lead in the optimal location near the nerve trunk before any nerve injury occurs. This advance positioning ensures that the lead is already in the correct location to provide effective stimulation long-term, preventing the need for surgical repositioning if migration occurs, thereby maintaining therapy effectiveness throughout the duration of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses muscle tissue as a cushioning medium to protect the electrode lead from direct contact with the nerve trunk. This beforehand cushioning reduces the risk of lead migration by providing a stable, protective environment for the lead, ensuring long-term therapy effectiveness while preventing the lead from shifting position due to tissue healing or inflammation.
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
This approach enables minimally-invasive, effective pain relief for post-amputation pain by simplifying the lead placement procedure, reducing the risk of lead migration, and improving patient compliance and quality of life, while also being adaptable for use in various regions of the body.
Implementation Method 1
a percutaneous electrode lead in a muscle in electrical proximity to but spaced away from a targeted peripheral nerve... applying a voltage through the electrode lead to the targeted peripheral nerve
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods make possible the placement of one or more electrode leads in a tissue region for providing functional and/or therapeutic stimulation to tissue. The systems and methods are adapted to provide the relief of pain.