Wireless Implantable Lead for Spinal Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spinal cord stimulation devices with wired leads are cumbersome, require invasive surgical procedures, and have limitations such as lead migration, disconnection, and reduced battery life due to the need for recharging, which complicates therapy delivery and increases surgical interventions.
Innovation Solution
A wireless implantable lead that generates power from radiated energy, eliminating the need for battery power and allowing for a smaller form factor, enabling more precise placement near targeted nerve roots without the need for extensive tunneling or a large surgical pocket, and facilitating localized electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a battery-powered implantable pulse generator is used, then electrical stimulation can be provided, but the device requires periodic recharging or replacement, limiting therapy duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery and charge storage components from the implantable device, extracting the power source entirely. The device now receives power wirelessly through an external charger that inductively couples with the implantable device, eliminating the need for periodic recharging or replacement of the implantable pulse generator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external charger as an intermediary device that provides power to the implantable device through inductive coupling. This mediator transfers energy across the skin boundary without direct contact, solving the power supply problem while keeping the implantable device small and simple.
2Volume of stationary object
If a large surgical pocket is created to house the IPG, then the device can be implanted, but the procedure becomes more invasive with increased scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery and charge storage components from the implantable device, dramatically reducing its volume. This allows the surgical pocket to be much smaller, reducing tissue disruption and scarring while still housing the essential stimulation circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery-powered system with a wireless inductive power system. This substitution eliminates the need for a large power source within the implantable device, reducing its size and the associated surgical invasiveness.
3Reliability
If extension wires and connectors are used to connect the IPG to the lead, then power can be transmitted, but lead migration and disconnection can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the IPG and lead into a single integrated implantable device. The stimulation circuitry and electrodes are combined in one unit, eliminating extension wires and connectors entirely. This integration eliminates the risk of lead migration and disconnection while reducing the number of components that could fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the extension wires and connectors from the system, extracting the problematic intermediate components. The power and stimulation signals are transmitted directly from the integrated device to the target tissue without intermediate connection points that could migrate or disconnect.
4Power
If the IPG is tethered within the patient's body, then power can be delivered, but lead migration and disconnection risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power source and stimulation delivery system into a single integrated implantable device. This eliminates the tethered connection between separate IPG and lead components, removing the risk of lead migration and disconnection while maintaining full power delivery capability through the integrated design.
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 wireless stimulation device provides permanent, targeted electrical stimulation with reduced scarring and less invasive procedures, improving treatment efficacy for chronic pain and other disorders by ensuring continuous therapy without battery life limitations and minimizing lead migration issues.
Implementation Method 1
An input signal is transmitted from a control device outside of the patient's body to the implantable lead through inductive coupling such that the implantable lead generates power from the input signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method for modulating nerve tissue in a body of a patient includes implanting a wireless stimulation device in proximity to a dorsal root ganglion or an exiting nerve root such that an electrode, circuitry and a receiving antenna are positioned completely within the body of the patient. An input signal containing electrical energy and waveform parameters is transmitted to the receiving antenna(s) from a control device located outside of the patient's body via radiative coupling. The circuitry within the stimulation device generates one or more electrical impulses and applies the electrical impulses to the dorsal root ganglion or the exiting nerve roots through the electrode.