Segmented Deep Brain Stimulation Lead for Directional Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deep brain stimulation systems using ring electrodes lack directional control, leading to undirected stimulation that can result in unwanted side effects due to the inability to target specific areas around the electrode, causing unintended activation of neighboring neural tissue.
Innovation Solution
The use of segmented electrodes in conjunction with an implantable control module allows for current steering, enabling precise delivery of stimulation to specific angular ranges around the lead, and a computer-implemented method for displaying a three-dimensional clinical effects map to optimize electrode placement and stimulation parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ring electrodes are used for deep brain stimulation, then the stimulation can be delivered to target neurons, but the stimulus current cannot be directed to specific positions around the electrode, resulting in unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple segmented contacts arranged around the lead circumference instead of a single ring electrode. This segmentation allows independent activation of specific electrode segments to direct stimulation current to particular angular positions around the lead, enabling precise targeting of neural tissue while avoiding unwanted stimulation of neighboring areas
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the electrode are activated selectively to create localized stimulation fields at specific positions around the lead. By applying voltage only to certain segmented contacts rather than the entire ring, the stimulation is concentrated in specific directional regions, providing local quality control over where the therapeutic effect is delivered
2Measurement precision
If segmented electrodes are used to enable directional stimulation, then precise targeting of neural tissue is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple segmented contacts arranged around the lead circumference instead of a single ring electrode. This segmentation allows independent activation of specific electrode segments to direct stimulation current to particular angular positions around the lead, enabling precise targeting of neural tissue while avoiding unwanted stimulation of neighboring areas
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented electrode structure serves multiple functions: it provides directional control for precise targeting, allows for flexible programming of stimulation patterns, and can adapt to different anatomical configurations. The same electrode design can be used for various deep brain stimulation targets by simply changing which segments are activated, rather than requiring different electrode types for different applications
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes displaying, on a display coupled to a computer processor, a two- dimensional representation of an arrangement of electrodes of a lead having one or more segmented electrodes; displaying, by the computer processor and on the display, a three- dimensional clinical effects map with two of the dimensions of the clinical effects map corresponding to the two-dimensional representation of the arrangement of the electrode and a third dimension corresponding to a stimulation parameter; and displaying, by the computer processor and on the display, at least one marking on the clinical effects map. Each marking represents a stimulation instance and is displayed at a position corresponding to the electrode used for stimulation in the stimulation instance and a value of the stimulation parameter used for stimulation in the stimulation instance. Each marking has a graphical characteristic representing a therapeutic effect or a side-effect resulting from the stimulation instance.