Wireless Neural Modulation Implant for MRI-Compatible Brain Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brain stimulation and recording technologies require wired connections, leading to increased infection risk, discomfort, and limited mobility for patients, as well as restrictions on MRI usage, making them unsuitable for home-based monitoring and treatment.
Innovation Solution
Development of a wirelessly powered, 3T MRI-compatible implantable lead with integrated recording and stimulation capabilities, allowing for percutaneous connection-free intracranial monitoring and stimulation, enabling patients to record and treat brain anomalies with greater mobility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used for intracranial electrodes, then reliable data transmission and stimulation delivery are achieved, but infection risk increases and patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the percutaneous wired connection component from the intracranial electrode system. By using entirely implantable electrodes that communicate wirelessly through the skull bone, the system removes the external wire and skin penetration point, thereby eliminating the primary infection pathway while maintaining reliable data transmission and stimulation delivery functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the skull bone as an intermediary medium for wireless signal transmission. Instead of requiring direct physical wire connections through the skin, the system uses electromagnetic signals that can penetrate the skull bone to communicate with implantable electrodes, serving as a natural barrier that blocks external pathogens while allowing signal passage.
2Reliability
If percutaneous connections are used for electrode leads, then electrical connection reliability is maintained, but patient mobility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external wire and percutaneous connection components from the system. By using entirely implantable electrodes that communicate wirelessly through the skull, the system eliminates the physical tether that restricts patient movement, thereby improving mobility and comfort while maintaining reliable electrical connections through wireless power and data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. Instead of using physical wires that extend outside the body and restrict movement, the system uses electromagnetic signals to transmit power and data through the skull bone, enabling full patient mobility while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional wired leads are used, then stimulation and recording functions are achieved, but MRI compatibility is limited to low field strengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wired leads with entirely implantable wireless electrodes. This substitution eliminates the external wire components that cause MRI safety issues, allowing the system to be compatible with high-field strength MRI scanners (3T and above) while maintaining full stimulation and neuronal recording capabilities through wireless power and data transmission.
4Measurement precision
If wired intracranial monitoring is used, then accurate seizure localization is achieved, but hospital confinement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the external wire and hospital confinement requirements from the intracranial monitoring system. By using entirely implantable wireless electrodes, the system enables accurate seizure localization to be performed ambulatorily in the patient's home environment, eliminating the need for hospital confinement while maintaining measurement precision through wireless data transmission to external recording devices.
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 solution provides improved patient comfort and reduced infection risk, enabling home-based monitoring and treatment while maintaining 3T MRI compatibility, thus enhancing clinical utility and seizure localization capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
wireless power transmission to and from the implantable lead
Implementation Method 2
wireless transmission of information to and from the stimulation/recording electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus is presented for a wireless neural modulation feedback control system as it relates to an implantable medical device comprised of a radio frequency (RF) receiver circuit, one or more dipole or patch antenna(s), one or more electrode leads connected to at least one dipole or patch antenna(s), and at least one microelectronic neural modulation circuit, and an external or internally implanted RF device to neurally modulate brain tissue in order to treat medical conditions that can be mediated by neuronal activation or inhibition, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, other motor or mood based disorders, and/or pain. The implantable receiver captures energy radiated by the RF transmitter unit and converts this energy to an electrical waveform by the implanted neural modulation circuit to deliver energy that can be utilized by the attached electrode pads in order to activate targeted neurons in the brain.