Segmented Electrode Leads with Depressions for Neural Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical stimulation leads with ring electrodes lack the ability to direct stimulus current to specific positions, leading to unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue and potential side effects during treatments like deep brain stimulation.

Innovation Solution

The development of segmented electrodes on stimulation leads, which are formed from pre-electrodes with exterior depressions or apertures, allowing for precise current steering and directional targeting of neural tissue stimulation by distributing electrodes radially around the lead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ring electrodes are used on stimulation leads, then the lead structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stimulus current cannot be directed to specific positions and unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent steering capabilityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple segmented electrodes arranged radially around the lead, with each segment capable of independent stimulation. This segmentation enables current steering capability by selectively activating specific segments to target particular neural tissue locations while avoiding unwanted stimulation of surrounding areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each segmented electrode is equipped with local features such as depressions or apertures that modify the local electrical field distribution. These local modifications enable precise control over current flow patterns, allowing the stimulus to be directed to specific positions around the lead while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If segmented electrodes are formed with depressions or apertures in pre-electrodes, then precise three-dimensional targeting of neural tissue is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode positioning precisionVSAvoidpre-electrode fabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The depressions and apertures are formed in the pre-electrode before the final electrode assembly is constructed. This preliminary action allows the structural features to be integrated into the manufacturing process flow, enabling precise electrode positioning to be achieved through standard fabrication techniques rather than requiring complex post-processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The depressions and apertures in the pre-electrode automatically serve multiple functions: they define the segmented electrode boundaries, control the current flow patterns, and provide mechanical features for positioning. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate features or complex assembly steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If connecting material is used to couple segmented electrodes, then the segmented electrodes are securely attached to the lead body, but the connecting material may interfere with current distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode attachment reliabilityVSAvoidcurrent distribution interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting material is formulated as a thin, flexible material that provides mechanical coupling between the segmented electrodes and the lead body while minimizing electrical interference. The thin film nature of the connecting material allows it to be electrically insulating or minimally conductive, ensuring secure attachment without significantly disrupting the current distribution patterns generated by the segmented electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9248272B2Segmented electrode leads formed from pre-electrodes with depressions or apertures and methods of making and using

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

A pre-electrode for a stimulation lead includes a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes segmented electrodes disposed along the body in a spaced-apart configuration, connecting material coupling each of the segmented electrodes to one another and forming the exterior surface of the body, and cutouts defined between adjacent segmented electrodes. In some instances, the pre-electrode includes at least one depression in the exterior surface of the pre-electrode over one of the segmented electrode so that the pre-electrode is thinner at the depression than at immediately adjacent portions of the pre-electrode. In some instances, the pre-electrode includes at least one aperture extending into the body from the exterior surface and between two of the segmented electrodes with portions of the connecting material forming borders between the aperture and the proximal and distal ends of the pre-electrode.