Wire Clamping Device for Spinal Cord Stimulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing percutaneously inserted wires in spinal cord stimulation, such as suturing and using surgical tape, are ineffective in preventing wire migration and causing discomfort, especially when moderate forces are applied, leading to potential pain and infection risks.

Innovation Solution

A wire clamping device with a base, arm, and attachment components that securely restrain the wire between a protrusion and indentation, eliminating the need for sutures and tape, thereby reducing infection risk and procedure time while effectively preventing wire migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical tape is used to secure the wire, then the wire can be held in place during normal conditions, but the wire migrates when moderate forces are applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire securityVSAvoidresistance to wire migration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The securing system is divided into multiple functional segments: the base plate provides adhesion to the skin, the arm provides mechanical clamping force, and the protrusion provides direct wire engagement. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function, with the arm and protrusion working together to resist wire migration forces that would overcome simple tape alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm is designed with a curved surface that contacts the wire, and the base plate has a curved lower surface for skin contact. This curvature allows the arm to apply clamping force more effectively against the wire while the base plate conforms to the patient's skin contour, improving both wire security and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If sutures and surgical tape are used to secure the wire, then the wire can be stabilized, but infection risk increases and procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire stabilityVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for sutures and surgical tape from the wire securing process. Instead of using these traditional methods that create infection risks, the device uses a self-contained base plate with adhesive that bonds directly to the skin, removing the harmful elements while maintaining wire stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate is designed as a disposable component that is applied once and then discarded. This eliminates the need for reusable sutures and tape that could harbor bacteria, reducing infection risk while maintaining effective wire securing during the treatment period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If sutures and surgical tape are used to secure the wire, then the wire can be held in place, but procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire fixationVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of adhesion and mechanical clamping into a single integrated device. The base plate provides skin adhesion while the arm provides clamping force, combining what would traditionally require separate sutures and tape into one application step, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining wire fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate is pre-designed with an integrated adhesive layer and arm structure that is ready for immediate application. This preliminary preparation of the securing mechanism eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site suturing and taping operations, allowing for rapid deployment while ensuring reliable wire fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device securely holds the wire in place, reducing the risk of migration and discomfort, and can be attached to the patient's skin using adhesive, thus providing a more reliable and efficient method for spinal cord stimulation.

Implementation Method 1

The base may be attached to a patient's skin using adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11351365B1Wire clamping devices and methods for use

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 MCKEAG BURT JOHN

AI summary

Within examples, a wire clamping device includes a base. The base includes an indentation, a first attachment component at a first end of the base, and a second attachment component at a second end of the base that is opposite the first end. The wire clamping device further includes an arm that includes a protrusion and a third attachment component that is attached to the first attachment component. The arm is configured to rotate with respect to the first attachment component to a position at which the arm is restrained by the second attachment component against the base and at least a portion of the protrusion is within the indentation or aligned with the indentation. Additional examples include a method for using the wire clamping device, a tool for opening the wire clamping device, and a method for using the tool to open the wire clamping device.