Segmented Electrodes for Directional Deep Brain Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical stimulation systems for deep brain stimulation often result in undirected stimulation due to ring-shaped electrodes, leading to unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue and potential side effects, as the current projects equally in all directions without precise control over the stimulation area.

Innovation Solution

The use of segmented electrodes along the lead body, which can be grouped and electrically ganged to allow for precise current steering and directional stimulation, enabling targeted delivery of electrical energy to specific areas around the lead, thereby reducing unwanted stimulation of neighboring tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If ring-shaped electrodes are used for deep brain stimulation, then the stimulation coverage is comprehensive, but the current cannot be directed to specific positions and unwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissue occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunwanted stimulation of neighboring neural tissueVSAvoiddirectional control of stimulus current

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ring electrode is divided into multiple segmented electrodes arranged circumferentially around the lead body. Each segmented electrode can be independently controlled to direct stimulus current to specific angular positions around the lead, enabling precise targeting of neural tissue while avoiding unwanted stimulation of neighboring areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If segmented electrodes are used to enable directional stimulation, then the precision of current targeting is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple electrodes and electrical ganging requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of current targetingVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple electrodes and electrical ganging

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple segmented electrodes are electrically ganged (combined) into groups that function as single programmable units. This allows complex directional stimulation patterns to be achieved through software control of electrode groups rather than requiring complex hardware switching mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining precision targeting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9283375B2Leads with segmented electrodes for electrical stimulation of planar regions and methods of making and using

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

One embodiment is a stimulation lead that includes a lead body having a longitudinal surface, a distal end, and a proximal end; and multiple electrodes disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. The electrodes include multiple groups of segmented electrodes with each group of segmented electrodes having multiple segmented electrodes disposed at a same longitudinal position along the lead. For at least one first group of segmented electrodes, a first pair of the segmented electrodes in the first group are disposed on opposite sides of the lead body and are electrically ganged together by a conductor therebetween.