Nerve stimulator for diaphragm regulation assisted respiration

Abstract

The invention discloses a nerve stimulator for diaphragm regulation assisted respiration, and particularly relates to the technical field of integrated circuits, which comprises an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a low-voltage part, a high-voltage part, an electrode I, an electrode II, a reference voltage source module and a biological nerve, wherein the low-voltage part comprises a time sequence control module, a current generation module, a low-voltage power supply voltage and the ground. The controllable spontaneous respiration phenomenon of the organism can be generated, compared with a traditional scheme that the organism breathes by passively inhaling gas and exhausting gas, the organism can breathe through the muscle of the organism, the integrated structure forming the scheme is small in size and convenient to carry, and meanwhile, the integrated structure is convenient to carry. The breathing of a living body can be controlled, breathing and inspiration of different lengths can be combined according to requirements, irreversible damage to the living body caused by intubation operation brought by a traditional breathing machine can be avoided, and the use effect is good.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of integrated circuit technology, and more specifically to a neurostimulator for diaphragmatic regulation of assisted breathing. Background Technology

[0002] In recent decades, ventilators have become a widely used medical device that helps patients exchange air. However, existing traditional ventilators have drawbacks such as being too bulky and inconvenient to carry, potentially requiring intubation, which can cause irreversible damage to the body. Furthermore, they passively force patients to breathe rather than allowing them to breathe through their own lung muscles. Therefore, a convenient and efficient technology is needed to address the shortcomings of traditional breathing methods, enabling patients to control their own breathing rather than passively inhaling and exhaling gases. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a neurostimulator for diaphragmatic regulation of assisted breathing, which allows an organism to produce the desired spontaneous breathing behavior after receiving a set stimulation waveform, thereby overcoming the above-mentioned shortcomings in the technology.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a neurostimulator for diaphragmatic regulation of assisted breathing, comprising an FPGA, a low-pressure section, a high-pressure section, an electrode one, an electrode two, and a reference voltage source module; The low-voltage section includes a timing control module and a current generation module, both of which are connected to the low-voltage power supply and ground; the FPGA is connected to the timing control module and the current generation module. The high-voltage section includes a high-voltage output module and a high-voltage power supply. The high-voltage output module is connected to the high-voltage power supply. The high-voltage output module is connected to the biological nerve through electrode one, and the high-voltage output module provides current input to the biological nerve through electrode one. The reference voltage source module is connected to the biological nerve through electrode two, and the reference voltage source module provides a reference voltage to the biological nerve through electrode two. The timing control module provides control signals to the high-voltage output module, the current generation module provides controllable current to the high-voltage output module, and the first electrode and the second electrode provide stimulation current to the biological nerve, with the connection between the first electrode and the second electrode and the biological nerve forming a conductive path.

[0005] Preferably, the high-voltage output module is connected to the current generation module and the timing control module respectively, the high-voltage output module is connected to electrode one and ground respectively, and the reference voltage source module is connected to electrode two, the reference voltage and ground respectively.

[0006] Preferably, the first electrode and the second electrode are composed of an electrode portion wrapped with insulating material and an exposed electrode portion; For the biological nerve portion connected to the exposed electrode portion of electrode one, the voltage state of the high-voltage power supply or ground is reflected. For the biological neural portion connected to the exposed electrode portion of electrode two, the voltage state of the reference voltage is reflected.

[0007] Preferably, the biological nerve portion connected to electrode one and electrode two has two opposite voltage states, resulting in two opposite currents in the conductive path of the biological nerve, referred to as cathodic stimulation and anodic stimulation, respectively.

[0008] Preferably, the electrode portion wrapped in insulating material prevents electrode one and electrode two from transmitting stimulation current to unrelated biological tissues during stimulation, and the exposed electrode portion allows electrode one and electrode two to specifically stimulate the corresponding biological nerves during stimulation.

[0009] Preferably, the FPGA is used to input control signals, wherein the current generation module receives the control signals generated by the FPGA to generate adjustable cathode and anode stimulation currents to the high-voltage output module, and the timing control module receives the control signals generated by the FPGA to control the on and off of the high-voltage output module, thereby controlling when cathode and anode stimulations are generated.

[0010] Preferably, the exposed electrode portion and the exposed electrode portion form a "U"-shaped or "fishhook"-shaped structure.

[0011] Preferably, the biological nerve is used to control the respiratory behavior of the organism, and to achieve gas exchange by precisely regulating the contraction and relaxation of the organism's lung muscles to inhale and exhale gas; During a stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module and the reference voltage source module provide cathode and anodic current stimulation to the biological nerve through two opposite voltage drops on the conductive path of the biological nerve, thereby inducing the action potential of the biological nerve to cause the contraction of the lung muscles, allowing the lungs of the organism to inhale air, and then use a current in the opposite direction to keep the voltage state on the biological nerve constant. During the remaining time of a stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module stops outputting current, there is no current in the conductive path of the biological nerve, the biological nerve does not reach the action potential, the lung muscles of the organism relax, and the lungs expel gas.

[0012] The technical effects and advantages provided by the present invention in the above technical solution are as follows: This invention enables organisms to produce controllable spontaneous respiration. Compared with traditional methods that rely on passive inhalation and exhalation of gases to induce respiration, this invention allows organisms to breathe through their own muscles. Furthermore, the integrated structure of this invention is smaller and easier to carry. In addition, this invention allows for controllable respiration, enabling different lengths of inhalation and exhalation to be combined as needed. It avoids the irreversible damage to the organism caused by intubation procedures associated with traditional ventilators, resulting in better efficacy. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of a neurostimulator unit used to induce controlled spontaneous respiration in organisms. Figure 2 The waveforms of the output current and external control signal of a neurostimulator unit used to induce controlled spontaneous respiration in organisms are shown.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. FPGA; 101. Timing control module; 102. Current generation module; 103. High voltage output module; 104. Reference voltage source module; 105. Electrode 1; 106. Electrode 2; 107. Biological nerve; 108. Conductive path; 110. Electrode part wrapped in insulating material; 111. Exposed electrode part; 112. Low voltage power supply voltage; 113. High voltage power supply voltage; 114. Reference voltage; 115. Ground; 116. Low voltage section; 117. High voltage section. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Based on the aforementioned invention, a circuit structure was constructed in chip design software using the 0.18μm process provided by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC). Simulation methods verified the high feasibility of the designed structure. Furthermore, its feasibility was validated in actual chip applications and animal testing.

[0017] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] This invention provides, for example Figures 1-2The neurostimulator shown is used for diaphragmatic regulation of assisted breathing, including FPGA 100, low-pressure section 116, high-pressure section 117, electrode one 105, electrode two 106, reference voltage source module 104 and biological nerve 107. The low-voltage section 116 includes a timing control module 101, a current generation module 102, a low-voltage power supply voltage 112, and ground 115. Specifically, FPGA100 generates control signals to current generation module 102 and timing control module 101 to control the output current amplitude of current generation module 102 and the control signals of timing control module 101, respectively. Current generation module 102 and timing control module 101 form low-voltage section 116, which is biased by low-voltage power supply voltage 112 and ground 115. After receiving the control signal provided by FPGA100, current generation module 102 provides adjustable input current to high-voltage output module 103. Timing control module 101 controls the opening and closing of high-voltage output module 103 to control the current output under different conditions.

[0019] The high-voltage section 117 includes a high-voltage output module 103, a high-voltage power supply voltage 113, and a ground 115. The high-voltage output module 103 is connected to the biological nerve 107 through electrode one 105, and the high-voltage output module 103 provides current input to the biological nerve 107 through electrode one 105. The reference voltage source module 104 is connected to the biological nerve 107 through electrode two 106, and the reference voltage source module 104 provides a reference voltage 114 to the biological nerve 107 through electrode two 106. Specifically, the high voltage output module 103 forms the high voltage section 117, which requires the high voltage power supply voltage 113 and ground 115 to provide bias. The high voltage output module 103 provides input to electrode 105 according to the adjustable current provided by the current generation module 102 and the control signal provided by the timing control module 101. The reference voltage source module 104 requires a reference voltage 114 and ground 115 as bias to provide the reference voltage 114 to the second electrode 106.

[0020] The timing control module 101 provides control signals to the high voltage output module 103, the current generation module 102 provides controllable current to the high voltage output module 103, and the first electrode 105 and the second electrode 106 provide stimulation current to the biological nerve 107. The connection between the first electrode 105 and the second electrode 106 and the biological nerve 107 forms a conductive path 108.

[0021] FPGA100 is connected to timing control module 101 and current generation module 102. High voltage output module 103, low voltage power supply voltage 112 and ground 115 are all connected to current generation module 102. High voltage output module 103, low voltage power supply voltage 112 and ground 115 are all connected to timing control module 101. High voltage output module 103 is connected to electrode one 105, high voltage power supply voltage 113 and ground 115 respectively. Reference voltage source module 104 is connected to electrode two 106, reference voltage 114 and ground 115 respectively.

[0022] Electrode 105 and electrode 2 106 are composed of an electrode portion 110 wrapped with insulating material and an exposed electrode portion 111. For the biological nerve 107 portion connected to the exposed electrode portion 111 of electrode 105, the voltage state of the high voltage power supply voltage 113 or ground 115 is manifested. For the biological nerve portion 107 connected to the exposed electrode portion 111 of electrode 2 106, the voltage state of reference voltage 114 is reflected. Since there are two opposite voltage states in the part of the biological nerve 107 connected to electrode 105 and electrode 206, there are two opposite currents in the conductive path 108 on the biological nerve 107, which can be referred to as cathode stimulation and anodic stimulation, respectively. The electrode portion 110, which is wrapped in insulating material, prevents electrode one 105 and electrode two 106 from transmitting stimulation current to unrelated biological tissues during stimulation, and the exposed electrode portion 111 allows electrode one 105 and electrode two 106 to specifically stimulate the corresponding biological nerve 107 during stimulation.

[0023] The exposed electrode portion 111 and the exposed electrode portion 111 form a "U" shape or "fishhook" shape.

[0024] As can be seen from the above, since electrode 105 and electrode 2106 are connected to the biological nerve 107, in order to ensure that the connection between electrode 105 and electrode 2106 and the biological nerve 107 is not easily broken, refer to Figure 1The enlarged view of the connection between electrode 1 and nerve shows that the electrode portion 110 of electrode 105, which is wrapped in insulating material, does not contact the biological nerve 107. That is, the electrode portion 110 wrapped in insulating material prevents the high-voltage output module 103 and the reference voltage source module 104 from transmitting voltage or current to unrelated biological tissues, thereby avoiding the transmission of stimulation current to irrelevant biological tissues. The exposed electrode portion 111 is in contact with the biological nerve 107. That is, the exposed electrode portion 111 allows the high-voltage output module 103 and the reference voltage source module 104 to transmit voltage or current to the biological nerve 107 of interest, thereby enabling targeted stimulation of the corresponding biological nerve 107. The electrode portion 110 wrapped in insulating material and the exposed electrode portion 111 form a "U" shape or a "fishhook" shape, which prevents the biological nerve 107 from detaching from electrode 105 during operation and reduces the probability of operator error.

[0025] FPGA100 is used to input control signals. The current generation module 102 receives the control signals generated by FPGA100 to generate adjustable cathode and anode stimulation currents to the high voltage output module 103. The timing control module 101 receives the control signals generated by FPGA100 to control the on and off of the high voltage output module 103, thereby controlling when cathode and anode stimulations are generated.

[0026] The bio-neuron 107 is used to control the respiratory behavior of organisms by precisely regulating the contraction and relaxation of the lung muscles to inhale and exhale gases, thereby achieving gas exchange. During a stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module 103 and the reference voltage source module 104 provide cathode and anodic current stimulation to the biological nerve 107 through two opposite voltage drops on the conductive path 108 on the biological nerve 107. This induces an action potential in the biological nerve 107, causing the lung muscles to contract and allowing the organism's lungs to inhale air. A current in the opposite direction is used to keep the voltage state on the biological nerve 107 constant, avoiding adverse factors. Based on this, when the voltage on electrode 105 is the high-voltage power supply voltage 113, the current flows from electrode 105 to electrode 2 106 through the conductive path 108. When the voltage on electrode 105 is ground 115, the current flows from electrode 2 106 to electrode 105 through the conductive path 108. In these two states, the biological nerve 107 generates an action potential, causing the muscles to contract and inhale air.

[0027] Specifically, in order to avoid damage to the biological nerve 107 caused by the accumulation of charge from unidirectional electrical stimulation, the high voltage output module 103 is divided into two working states according to the input of the timing control module 101, providing the high voltage power supply voltage 113 and the ground voltage 115 to the electrode one 105 respectively. The electrode two 106 is always connected to the reference voltage source module 104, reflecting the voltage state of the reference voltage 114. When electrode 105 is embodied as high voltage power supply voltage 113, the current flow direction on the conductive path 108 is opposite to that when electrode 105 is embodied as ground 115. The opposite current can avoid the damage to the biological nerve 107 caused by the accumulation of charge from unidirectional electrical stimulation.

[0028] Further reference Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is represented by the current supplied by the high voltage output module 103 to electrode 105 and the control signal output by the FPGA 100 to the timing control module 101. The current supplied by the high voltage output module 103 to electrode 105 indicates that in the overall stage of cathode, anode and interphase delay, the biological nerve 107 reaches the action potential through the current, which can cause the lung muscles to contract, allowing the lungs to inhale air.

[0029] During the remaining time of a stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module 103 stops outputting current. No current exists in the conductive path 108 on the biological nerve 107, and the biological nerve 107 does not reach an action potential. The lung muscles of the organism relax, and air is expelled from the lungs. Therefore, when the high-voltage output module 103 stops supplying current to electrode 105, no current flows through the conductive path 108. At this time, the biological nerve 107 has no action potential, and air is expelled from the lungs.

[0030] Further reference Figure 2 As shown, during the stage when the high-voltage output module 103 stops supplying current to electrode 105, the biological nerve 107 does not reach the action potential, the muscle relaxes, and gas is expelled. When the FPGA 100 outputs a control signal to the timing control module 101 at a high level, the high-voltage output module 103 outputs current, entering the anode and stimulation stage; when the signal is low, the high-voltage output module 103 stops outputting current, entering the phase delay stage where stimulation needs to be stopped.

[0031] As can be seen from the above, in order to produce a controllable breathing phenomenon, the stimulator needs to generate a controllable stimulation waveform, which is divided into a stimulation phase and a cessation of stimulation phase. The stimulation phase consists of multiple small stimulation cycles composed of cathode and anode stimulation and phase-to-phase stimulation. During the cessation stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module 103 stops supplying current to electrode 105. In order to realize the output current of the cathode and anode stimulation phase and the cessation of the output current of the phase-to-phase delay phase, the FPGA 100 provides a special control signal input to the timing control module 101. During the output current phase of the cathode and anode stimulation, the control signal is high level, and during the phase-to-phase delay phase and the cessation of the output current, the control signal is low level. The control signal provided by FPGA100 is divided into two states: high duty cycle square wave and low level, according to the needs of inhaled and exhaled gas. The pulse width of the stimulation phase and the cessation of stimulation phase are set according to the breathing mode of the organism. The total time composed of cathode and anode stimulation and phase delay during the stimulation phase can cause the action voltage of the biological nerve 107 to change, causing the organism's muscles to start contracting and inhaling gas. The time during the cessation of stimulation phase meets the needs of the organism's lungs for the time required to exhale gas. Therefore, the neurostimulator constructed with the above structure can generate controllable spontaneous breathing in organisms, rather than passively inhaling and exhaling gases. The specially treated electrode structure simplifies the alignment operation between the electrode and the biological nerve 107, reduces the risk of the electrode and the biological nerve 107 falling off, reduces the difficulty of operation for operators, and eliminates the need for intubation. It also has fewer control terminals, a smaller size, and is easier to operate.

[0032] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing, characterized in that, It includes an FPGA (100), a low-voltage section (116), a high-voltage section (117), an electrode one (105), an electrode two (106), and a reference voltage source module (104). The low-voltage section (116) includes a timing control module (101) and a current generation module (102). Both the timing control module (101) and the current generation module (102) are connected to the low-voltage power supply voltage (112) and ground (115). The FPGA (100) is connected to the timing control module (101) and the current generation module (102). The high-voltage section (117) includes a high-voltage output module (103) and a high-voltage power supply (113). The high-voltage output module (103) is connected to the high-voltage power supply (113). The high-voltage output module (103) is connected to the biological nerve (107) through electrode one (105), and the high-voltage output module (103) provides current input to the biological nerve (107) through electrode one (105). The reference voltage source module (104) is connected to the biological nerve (107) through electrode two (106), and the reference voltage source module (104) provides a reference voltage (114) to the biological nerve (107) through electrode two (106). The timing control module (101) provides a control signal to the high voltage output module (103), the current generation module (102) provides a controllable current to the high voltage output module (103), the first electrode (105) and the second electrode (106) provide a stimulation current to the biological nerve (107), and the connection between the first electrode (105) and the second electrode (106) and the biological nerve (107) forms a conductive path (108).

2. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high voltage output module (103) is connected to the current generation module (102) and the timing control module (101) respectively. The high voltage output module (103) is connected to electrode one (105) and ground (115) respectively. The reference voltage source module (104) is connected to electrode two (106), reference voltage (114) and ground (115) respectively.

3. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first electrode (105) and the second electrode (106) are composed of an electrode portion (110) wrapped with insulating material and an exposed electrode portion (111); For the biological nerve (107) portion connected to the exposed electrode portion (111) of electrode one (105), the voltage state of the high voltage power supply voltage (113) or ground (115) is manifested. For the biological nerve (107) portion connected to the exposed electrode portion (111) of electrode two (106), the voltage state of the reference voltage (114) is reflected.

4. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bio-nerve (107) connected to electrode one (105) and electrode two (106) has two opposite voltage states, resulting in two opposite currents in the conductive path (108) on the bio-nerve (107), which are referred to as cathodic stimulation and anodic stimulation, respectively.

5. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 4, characterized in that: The electrode portion (110) wrapped in insulating material prevents electrode one (105) and electrode two (106) from transmitting stimulation current to unrelated biological tissues when stimulated, and the exposed electrode portion (111) allows electrode one (105) and electrode two (106) to specifically stimulate the corresponding biological nerve (107) when stimulated.

6. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 4, characterized in that: The FPGA (100) is used to input control signals, wherein the current generation module (102) receives the control signals generated by the FPGA (100) to generate adjustable cathode and anode stimulation currents to the high voltage output module (103), and the timing control module (101) receives the control signals generated by the FPGA (100) to control the on and off of the high voltage output module (103), thereby controlling when cathode and anode stimulations are generated.

7. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The exposed electrode portion (111) and the exposed electrode portion (111) form a "U" or "fishhook" shaped structure.

8. A neurostimulator for diaphragmatic-controlled assisted breathing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biological nerve (107) is used to control the respiratory behavior of the organism, and to achieve gas exchange by precisely regulating the contraction and relaxation of the lung muscles of the organism to inhale and exhale gas. During a stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module (103) and the reference voltage source module (104) provide cathode and anode current stimulation to the biological nerve (107) through two opposite voltage drops on the conductive path (108) on the biological nerve (107), thereby causing the action potential of the biological nerve (107) to cause the contraction of the lung muscles, allowing the lungs of the organism to inhale air, and then using a current in the opposite direction to keep the voltage state on the biological nerve (107) unchanged. During the remaining time of a stimulation phase, the high-voltage output module (103) stops outputting current, there is no current on the conductive path (108) of the bio-nerve (107), the bio-nerve (107) does not reach the action potential, the lung muscles of the organism relax, and the lungs expel gas.

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