Segmented Electrode Carrier for Directional Neural Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical stimulation leads with ring electrodes lack directional control, leading to undirected stimulation of neural tissue and potential side effects due to equal current distribution in all directions, which can result in unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue.

Innovation Solution

The development of electrical stimulation leads with segmented electrodes that extend only partially around the circumference, allowing for precise directional control of the stimulus current through radial current steering, enabling targeted stimulation by positioning the electrodes radially and circumferentially to avoid unnecessary tissue stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ring electrodes are used to deliver stimulus current, then the current distribution is uniform in all directions, but this causes unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue and potential side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform current distributionVSAvoidunwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ring electrode is divided into multiple segmented electrodes that can be independently controlled. Each segment can be activated or deactivated to create directional current flow patterns, allowing selective stimulation of target neural tissue while avoiding adjacent areas. The electrode carrier includes multiple openings arranged circumferentially, each receiving a segmented electrode, enabling independent control of current distribution in different angular directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static uniform ring electrode stimulation to dynamic segmented electrode control. By independently controlling the activation state of each segmented electrode, the current distribution can be dynamically adjusted to steer current directionally toward target tissue while minimizing stimulation of non-target areas, adapting to different therapeutic needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If segmented electrodes are used to achieve directional control of stimulus current, then unwanted stimulation is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple electrodes and electrode carrier structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunwanted stimulation reductionVSAvoidelectrode carrier and segmented electrode structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An electrode carrier is introduced as an intermediary structure that holds multiple segmented electrodes in precise circumferential arrangement. The carrier includes multiple openings positioned at specific angles around the lead body, providing a structured framework that simplifies the assembly and positioning of segmented electrodes while enabling directional current control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If segmented electrodes extend partially around the circumference, then directional stimulation is achieved, but the electrode surface area is reduced compared to full ring electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional control capabilityVSAvoidelectrode surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different segments of the electrode circumference are activated based on local stimulation requirements. By controlling which segmented electrodes are active, current can be concentrated in specific angular directions toward target tissue, providing locally optimized stimulation quality rather than uniform distribution, thereby achieving directional control with effective use of available electrode surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3154625B1Leads with electrode carriers for segmented electrodes and methods of making and using

Publication Date: 2018.09.26 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

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Figure 3A~3D

AI summary

A stimulation lead includes an electrode carrier disposed along a distal portion of a lead body. The electrode carrier defines multiple segmented-electrode-receiving apertures extending between an outer surface and a central lumen. Each of the segmented-electrode-receiving apertures includes a ledge disposed around a perimeter of that segmented-electrode-receiving aperture and inset from the outer surface of the electrode carrier. The stimulation lead also includes multiple segmented electrodes, with each of the segmented electrode disposed in a different one of the segmented-electrode-receiving apertures with an outer stimulation surface exposed through the segmented-electrode-receiving aperture and an inner surface abutting the ledge disposed around the perimeter of that segmented- electrode-receiving aperture. Conductive wires extend along the lead body and couple the segmented electrodes to terminals.