Reduced Larsen Effect Electrode With Nested Insulation Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available depth electrodes suffer from high sensitivity to external noises due to the Larsen Effect, which causes microphonic feedback, leading to signal saturation and reduced signal integrity during electrical signal recording and stimulation in tissues or organs.
Innovation Solution
A reduced Larsen Effect electrode assembly featuring an insulation-coated electrode wire surrounded by alternating rigid and isolating layers, including a shielding tube, a macro electrode sub-assembly with a rigidity-imparting macro cannula and an isolating macro sleeve, and a micro electrode sub-assembly with an isolating micro sleeve within a rigidity-imparting micro cannula, designed to minimize noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If commercially available depth electrodes are used for recording electrical signals, then the electrode can detect neural signals, but the electrode exhibits high sensitivity to external noises and microphonic feedback that saturates amplifiers and reduces signal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode wire is nested within multiple concentric layers including an insulation coating, isolating sleeve, and rigid cannula. This nested structure provides progressive isolation of the electrode wire from acoustic vibrations while maintaining the electrode's electrical function for neural signal recording
Solution Approach 2:
Isolating sleeves and insulation layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the electrode wire and the external environment. These intermediaries dampen acoustic vibrations and prevent direct transmission of mechanical noise to the electrode wire, thereby reducing microphonic feedback while allowing electrical signals to pass through
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the electrode wire is made more rigid to reduce vibration sensitivity, then acoustic feedback is reduced, but the electrode becomes less flexible for insertion and positioning in tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: a flexible insulation-coated electrode wire for electrical signaling, surrounded by alternating rigid and isolating layers. The rigid cannula provides structural support and vibration resistance, while the isolating sleeves provide acoustic dampening, allowing the electrode wire itself to remain flexible for easy insertion and positioning
3Measurement precision
If multiple alternating rigid and isolating layers are added to the electrode structure, then noise reduction and signal integrity are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different layers of the electrode structure are assigned specific local qualities: insulation layers for electrical isolation, rigid cannula for structural support and vibration resistance, and isolating sleeves for acoustic dampening. Each layer performs its specific function locally, creating an optimized multi-functional structure that reduces noise while maintaining manufacturability through specialized segmentation
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
The electrode assembly significantly reduces noise levels to no more than ±25 μV over a frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 7.0 kHz, enhancing signal integrity and reducing acoustic feedback, thereby improving the effectiveness and efficiency of signal recording and stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation-coated electrode wire coaxially surrounded over a substantial portion thereof, by predetermined configuration of alternating rigid and isolating (or vibration dampening) layers
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a reduced Larsen Effect electrode. Specifically, the disclosure relates to an electrode with an insulation-coated electrode wire coaxially surrounded over a substantial portion thereof, by predetermined assembly of alternating rigid and isolating layers.