Steerable Percutaneous Paddle Lead Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for implanting paddle-style neurological stimulation leads percutaneously through needle insertion are inefficient due to the difficulty in rolling and unrolling the leads, requiring surgical procedures like laminotomy, which limits the precision and ease of placement.

Innovation Solution

A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead that can be steered during implantation by using a guidewire for navigation and a lumen to allow movement along the wire, enabling the lead to be placed in a target area without the need for extensive surgical incisions, with optional assistance from a stylet for stiffness and steering cables for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a paddle style lead is inserted percutaneously through needle insertion, then the invasiveness is reduced, but the implantation difficulty increases due to the need to roll and unroll the lead

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidimplantation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lead is divided into multiple articulation segments that can flex relative to each other, allowing the lead to bend and navigate through the needle tract without requiring rolling or unrolling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lead incorporates articulation joints that enable dynamic bending and steering movements, allowing the lead to adapt its shape during implantation to follow the needle path and reach the target location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a paddle style lead is inserted percutaneously through needle insertion, then smaller incisions are required, but the precision of placement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincision sizeVSAvoidplacement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation segments allow the lead to be steered and positioned with precision by controlling the bend angles at each joint, enabling accurate placement through the needle tract to the target location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lead has different properties at different locations - the articulation segments provide flexibility for navigation while the paddle portion maintains structural integrity for stable positioning at the target site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a paddle style lead is surgically implanted using laminotomy, then the ease of implantation improves, but the invasiveness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implantationVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented articulation structure allows the lead to be delivered through a percutaneous needle approach, avoiding the need for open surgical procedures like laminotomy while maintaining ease of deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible articulation segments allow the lead to be nested within the needle tract during delivery, enabling percutaneous insertion without requiring large surgical openings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11045221B2Steerable percutaneous paddle stimulation lead

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a percutaneous paddle stimulation lead that can be steered during implantation. The percutaneous paddle stimulation lead that can be steered in a thickness plane of percutaneous paddle stimulation lead during implantation.