Wireless Myoelectric Implant with Electrode Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately determining and utilizing biopotential signals from electrodes implanted in muscles for controlling prosthetic devices, particularly during surgery and in ensuring broad muscle coverage for effective signal acquisition.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless multichannel myoelectric implant system with an array of electrodes on leads, allowing for the creation of 'virtual pairs' of electrodes and wireless signal transmission to an external transceiver for processing and controlling prosthetic devices, utilizing a flexible configuration and bio-compatible materials for implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single electrode is implanted in muscle, then the implantation procedure is simple, but the signal acquisition coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple independent electrodes (e.g., 4 electrodes) distributed across different muscle sites. Each electrode can be independently positioned to capture signals from specific muscle regions, allowing comprehensive coverage while maintaining manageable implantation complexity through modular configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple electrodes are implanted to ensure broad muscle coverage, then the signal acquisition coverage is improved, but the difficulty of implantation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is pre-configured with predetermined spacing and geometric arrangement before implantation. This preliminary configuration allows the surgeon to implant the entire array as a unified structure, reducing the complexity of individual electrode placement while ensuring optimal muscle coverage and signal acquisition geometry.
3Loss of time
If electrodes are implanted during surgery, then real-time signal acquisition is possible, but it is difficult to determine whether the electrode receives the desired biopotential signal
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying biopotential signals from each electrode during implantation. This allows the surgeon to immediately verify which electrodes are capturing desired muscle signals and adjust the array configuration accordingly, ensuring optimal signal acquisition before final implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual indicators (such as color-coded displays or highlighted waveforms) to differentiate between electrodes receiving appropriate biopotential signals versus those that are not. This visual differentiation simplifies the detection and verification process during surgery, allowing quick identification of functional electrodes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless multichannel system is implemented, then signal transmission flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The electrode array transmits biopotential signals wirelessly to external processing devices, eliminating the need for physical cables and connectors. This substitution provides greater implantation flexibility and patient mobility while the modular architecture manages the inherent complexity through standardized communication protocols.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for sensor systems. In one embodiment, a system may include an implantable component and an external component. The implantable component may comprise a housing and an electrode array configured to receive a plurality of biopotential signals. The housing may comprise a wireless power receiver and a wireless data transmitter to transmit representations of the biopotential signals. The external component may comprise a wireless data receiver configured to receive the plurality of digital representations of the biopotential signals and a wireless power transmitter configured to provide power to the internal component. A shielding component may separate the wireless power transmitter from the wireless data receiver. An interface may be configured to communicate with a prosthesis and configured to cause the prosthesis to implement a voluntary motion based on the plurality of digital presentations of the biopotential signals.