Segmented Medical Lead Electrodes With Locking Features

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical lead manufacturing processes result in electrodes that are superficially placed, limiting their secure attachment to the lead body and leading to potential variations in current density and increased risk of current leakage.

Innovation Solution

The use of preformed electrode segments with conductive rings and insulator portions, featuring electrode locking features and curved edges, allows for precise assembly and secure attachment of electrodes to the lead body, reducing current density variations and enhancing durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If electrodes are superficially placed on the lead body, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrode attachment is insecure and current leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode placement simplicityVSAvoidelectrode attachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple segments that can be separately assembled onto the lead body. Each segment can be independently positioned and secured, allowing for reliable attachment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The segmented structure enables precise placement without requiring complex integrated electrode designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If electrodes are superficially placed on the lead body, then the manufacturing process is simple, but current density variations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode placement simplicityVSAvoidcurrent density uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the electrode into segments allows for precise control of current distribution. Each segment can be designed with specific geometric characteristics to optimize current density, and the segmented structure enables better positioning accuracy during assembly, reducing variations in current density across the electrode surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If preformed electrode segments with locking features are used, then electrode stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode stabilityVSAvoidlead structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode segmentation provides inherent stability through modular construction, where each segment can be independently secured to the lead body. This modular approach actually simplifies the overall assembly process compared to creating a single complex integrated electrode structure, as each segment can be manufactured and positioned separately with standardized connection features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250303144A1Medical lead with segmented electrodes

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

A medical lead system includes a lead body, a plurality of electrical conductors, and a plurality of electrodes. The lead body may include a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The plurality of electrical conductors extending about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The plurality of electrodes is positioned around an outer perimeter of the lead body. An inner surface of each of the plurality of electrodes defines an inner perimeter. Each respective electrode of the plurality of electrodes is electrically coupled to a respective electrical conductor of the plurality of electrical conductors. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes includes at least one electrode locking feature extending into the lead body from the inner perimeter.