Wireless Bipolar Nerve Probe Eliminates Return Needle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional nerve stimulation probes, such as mono-polar, concentric, side-by-side bipolar, and tri-polar stimulation probes, face limitations including restricted surgeon movement, low current density, improper electrode orientation leading to inadequate nerve stimulation, and increased power consumption, which can result in false negatives and tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A bipolar stimulation probe system that includes a first and second electrode, a control module, and switches, generating monophasic pulses to stimulate nerve tissue wirelessly, eliminating the need for a return needle and wire, and ensuring stable muscle responses with deeper tissue penetration and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a mono-polar stimulation probe with return needle and wire is used, then deep focused current penetration is achieved, but surgeon hand movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the return needle and wire components from the stimulation system. The wireless bipolar probe delivers stimulation current through two electrodes at its tip, with current returning through the patient's body capacitance to the generator, removing the physical constraint of the return path and enabling unrestricted surgeon movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical wire-based return path with a wireless capacitive coupling system. The return current path is established through the patient's body capacitance and the generator's reference electrode, eliminating the mechanical constraint of the wire and allowing free movement.
2Ease of operation
If a concentric probe is used to eliminate wire and return needle, then surgeon movement freedom is improved, but current density and tissue penetration become low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention concentrates the stimulation current through two closely spaced bipolar electrodes at the probe tip, creating high current density at the target site. The elliptical current distribution pattern focuses energy locally at the nerve tissue while maintaining deep penetration, unlike the uniform low-density distribution of concentric probes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates an elliptical current distribution pattern in three-dimensional space through the bipolar electrode configuration. This dimensional approach to current distribution enables both deep tissue penetration and high local current density by shaping the current flow path through the tissue volume.
3Device complexity
If side-by-side bipolar probe is used, then wire and return needle are eliminated, but electrode orientation must be precise to avoid improper nerve stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the stimulation system dynamic and adaptive by using programmable pulse parameters and multiple electrode configurations. The system can adjust pulse width, amplitude, and frequency dynamically, and can switch between different electrode pairs (bipolar, monopolar, concentric modes) to accommodate varying anatomical conditions without requiring precise manual orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes programmable electrical parameters (pulse width, amplitude, frequency) to optimize nerve stimulation. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system can achieve effective stimulation regardless of slight variations in electrode orientation or anatomical differences, reducing the precision requirement for manual placement.
4Reliability
If traditional stimulation probes are used, then nerve stimulation is achieved, but power consumption is high leading to false negatives and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pulsed stimulation rather than continuous current delivery. By delivering periodic pulses with optimized width and frequency, the system achieves effective nerve stimulation while minimizing total energy consumption, avoiding the tissue damage and false negatives associated with continuous high-power delivery.
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 system provides effective nerve stimulation with reduced clutter and time inefficiencies in the operating room, minimizing the risk of improper responses and tissue damage by ensuring proper nerve stimulation regardless of electrode orientation and anatomical variations.
Implementation Method 1
A nerve of a patient may be stimulated by applying current to the nerve via a mono-polar stimulation probe... A negative electrical current may be applied to the nerve via the cathodal electrode... The nerve resists excitation at the anodal electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A bipolar stimulation probe includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a control module, and switches. The control module is configured to stimulate nerve tissue of a patient by generating (i) a first output signal indicative of a first pulse to be output from the first electrode, and (ii) a second output signal indicative of a second pulse to be output from the second electrode. The first pulse and the second pulse are monophasic. The switches are configured to output from the bipolar stimulation probe (i) the first pulse on the first electrode based on the first output signal, and (ii) the second pulse on the second electrode based on the second output signal.