Segmented Electrodes with Removable Hub for Directional Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ring electrodes in electrical stimulation systems for deep brain stimulation deliver stimulus current equally in all directions, leading to undirected stimulation and potential unwanted effects on neighboring neural tissue due to inability to target specific areas around the electrode.
Innovation Solution
The use of segmented electrodes with a removable central hub, where each stimulation member is electrically coupled solely via the central hub, allowing for isolation and precise directional delivery of stimulus current by removing the central hub to form electrically-isolated segmented electrodes along the periphery of an electrically-nonconductive material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ring electrodes are used to deliver stimulus current, then the electrode structure is simple and easy to manufacture, 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 electrodes arranged in a ring configuration, where each segment can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the stimulus current to be directed to specific positions around the electrode by selectively activating only the necessary segments, thereby avoiding unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue while maintaining the overall ring structure for ease of manufacture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If segmented electrodes are used to direct stimulus current to specific positions, then directional stimulation is achieved, but the electrode structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented electrode structure serves multiple functions: it provides directional stimulation capability by selectively activating specific segments, maintains overall ring geometry for ease of manufacture and implantation, and allows for flexible programming of stimulation patterns. The segments are electrically coupled through a common conductor, enabling various stimulation configurations (individual segments, adjacent segments, or alternating segments) from a single electrode structure.
3Ease of operation
If multiple conductors are used to electrically couple each stimulation member independently, then precise electrical control is achieved, but the lead body becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductors are merged into a single common conductor that extends longitudinally through the lead body. Each segmented electrode is electrically coupled to this common conductor at its respective position, allowing independent electrical control of each segment through a simplified single-conductor architecture. This merging approach maintains precise electrical control capability while significantly reducing lead body manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of making a stimulation lead includes disposing a pre-electrode along a distal end portion of a lead body. The pre-electrode includes a body having a central hub and stimulation members individually coupled to the central hub and extending radially - outward therefrom such that each of the stimulation members is electrically-coupled to each of the remaining stimulation members solely via the central hub. Conductors extending from terminals disposed along a proximal end portion of the lead body are electrically -coupled to each of the stimulation members. Electrically-nonconductive material is disposed around longitudinal surfaces of the central hub with the electrically- nonconductive material abutting inner surfaces of the stimulation members. The central hub is removed from the pre-electrode body to electrically isolate each of the stimulation members from one another, thereby transforming the stimulation members into electrically-isolated segmented electrodes disposed along the electrically-nonconductive material.