Reconfigurable Medical Interface Cable Reduces Wire Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neurostimulation devices face limitations in addressing a large number of electrodes due to practical connection constraints, leading to side effects in patients and requiring more reliable and cost-effective wired interfaces for deep brain stimulation systems.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable interface system that redistributes functionality across a smaller number of lines, using electronic switches and monitoring units to detect and adapt to line failures, maintaining interface reliability with minimal wire redundancy and reduced cable dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire redundancy is increased to improve interface reliability, then reliability improves, but cable dimensions increase and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface cable reliabilityVSAvoidcable dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The interface system dynamically reconfigures the connection between electrodes and IPG contacts using electronic switches (multiplexers). The system can adaptively route signals through different paths based on detected wire failures, transforming a static wired connection into a dynamic reconfigurable network. This allows the same physical cable to provide multiple logical connections without adding redundant wires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the topological parameters of the connection network by implementing time-division multiplexing and electronic switching. Instead of maintaining fixed physical connections, the system dynamically alters connection parameters (which electrode connects to which IPG contact at which time) to achieve functional redundancy without physical redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If wire redundancy is increased to improve interface reliability, then reliability improves, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface cable reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each physical wire in the cable serves multiple functions through time-division multiplexing. A single wire can sequentially connect different electrode pairs to different IPG contacts, allowing one physical connection to replace multiple dedicated wires. The electronic switches and control logic enable this multi-functional usage, reducing the total wire count while maintaining comprehensive electrode addressing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic electronic switching to create virtual wire redundancy. When a wire failure is detected, the system dynamically reroutes signals through alternative paths using the same physical infrastructure, achieving reliability improvement without adding redundant physical wires or increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the number of electrodes is increased to reduce side effects, then therapeutic effectiveness improves, but the number of connections increases making intra-operative connection impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside effects reductionVSAvoidintra-operative connection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic connection configuration where the mapping between electrodes and IPG contacts is not fixed but can be programmed and changed. Electronic multiplexers allow the system to selectively connect any electrode to any IPG contact output through software control, eliminating the need for manual one-to-one wiring during surgery. The connection topology is established electronically rather than mechanically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (manual screw-terminal wiring) with an electronic switching system. Instead of physically connecting each electrode to its dedicated IPG contact through manual wiring, the system uses electronic multiplexers and control logic to establish connections, dramatically simplifying the intra-operative setup process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10441789B2Interface means, especially an interface means for a medical device

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 MEDTRONIC BAKKEN RES CENT

AI summary

The present invention relates to an interface means, especially an interface means for a medical device, comprising at least one or more lines, whereby the lines are configured such that each line has at least one specific functionality and/or is able to connect a first connection means with a second connection means, and at least one grouping and/or redistributing means, wherein the at least one grouping and/or redistributing means is configured such that the lines can be grouped and/or redistributed onto one or more lines and/or the functionality of lines can be grouped and/or redistributed onto one or more lines, preferably onto at least one single line. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for communicating a plurality of signals, in particular power and/or data signals and/or control signals, over a plurality of lines.