Segmented Neurostimulation Electrode with Variable Insulating Spacing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire-shaped collecting electrodes for neurostimulation face challenges in precise positioning, leading to suboptimal stimulation effects and potential aggravation of patient discomfort, as they are equally spaced and sensitive to slight misplacement.
Innovation Solution
The electrode design varies the axial spacing between insulating sections, with at least one section being significantly longer than others, allowing for more flexible positioning and improved selective nerve stimulation, enabling simultaneous stimulation of two nerves by arranging electrodes over longer insulating sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If equally spaced insulating sections are used between shell segment electrodes, then the electrode structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but positioning precision is poor and stimulation selectivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the axial extent of different insulating sections along the electrode array. Specifically, at least one insulating section has a greater axial extent than others, creating zones of different spacing between electrodes. This non-uniform structure allows different regions of the electrode array to be optimally positioned on different nerves or nerve bundles, improving stimulation selectivity without requiring complete redesign of the entire electrode structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by deliberately creating unequal spacing between adjacent shell segment electrodes through varying insulating section lengths. This asymmetric configuration breaks the uniform pattern, enabling the electrode array to accommodate anatomical variations in nerve positioning and allowing selective stimulation of specific nerves by placing longer insulating sections in regions where larger gaps are needed for optimal nerve contact.
2Reliability
If all insulating sections have the same axial extent, then the electrode design is uniform and easy to manufacture, but stimulation selectivity is poor and patient discomfort may be aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves stimulation reliability by creating local variations in electrode spacing through insulating sections of different axial extents. This allows specific electrode pairs to be positioned optimally on target nerves while maintaining standard spacing elsewhere, ensuring reliable stimulation of the intended nerve without compromising manufacturing feasibility since the variation is limited to the insulating section dimensions rather than the entire electrode structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode array is rigidly positioned, then precise nerve contact is achieved, but positioning errors cannot be compensated and stimulation selectivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability into the electrode array by varying insulating section lengths, which allows the electrode structure to better conform to anatomical variations in nerve positioning. The non-uniform spacing provides built-in flexibility that compensates for positioning errors, enabling the array to adapt to different patient anatomies and nerve locations without requiring active adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The electrode (12) has eight coat segmented electrodes (1-8) that are connected individually and/or in groups and arranged axially one behind the other in a direction of a longitudinal extension of the collecting electrode. Multiple insulating sections (101-107) are located axially between each pair of segmented electrodes for electrically insulating the adjacent segmented electrodes. An axial extension of one of the insulating sections between third and fourth coat segmented electrodes is larger than axial extensions of other insulating sections. An independent claim is also included for a neurostimulation system comprising a pacemaker projected from an end of a collecting electrode with a positive terminal.