Segmented Electrode Medical Lead for Targeted Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical leads for deep brain stimulation lack precision in targeting stimulation, leading to undesirable side effects due to non-specific stimulation of adjacent brain tissue, and require high precision in implantation to ensure effective treatment, which can be challenging, especially when the physiological stimulation site differs from the anatomical target.
Innovation Solution
A medical lead design featuring a combination of ring electrodes and segmented rows of electrodes, where each electrode in the segmented rows extends only around a portion of the lead's periphery, allowing for flexible and targeted stimulation, with ring electrodes serving as a fallback for less precise placements and reducing heating during MRI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If segmented rows of electrodes are used for targeted stimulation, then stimulation precision is improved, but implantation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple segmented rows where each row contains a specific number of electrodes (e.g., three electrodes per row). This segmentation allows the system to provide targeted stimulation to specific brain regions while maintaining flexibility in implantation, as the segmented structure can adapt to varying implantation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lead body have different electrode configurations - segmented rows at certain axial positions and other configurations at others. This local differentiation enables targeted stimulation at specific locations while providing fallback options at other locations, resolving the contradiction between precision and implantation ease.
2Reliability
If ring electrodes are used as fallback for less precise placements, then reliability is improved, but heating during MRI increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system uses segmented rows instead of continuous ring electrodes. By dividing the electrode structure into discrete segments, the lead maintains functional redundancy for reliable stimulation while reducing the continuous conductive path that causes heating during MRI scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead employs an asymmetric electrode configuration with segmented rows at specific axial positions rather than symmetric ring electrodes around the entire circumference. This asymmetric design provides the necessary fallback stimulation capability while minimizing the material present to generate heat during MRI.
Data Source
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AI summary
Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities.