Adaptive Neural Stimulation Dosing for Movement-Linked Recruitment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neuromodulation systems face challenges in maintaining effective and comfortable neural recruitment due to electrode migration, postural changes, and spinal cord movement, leading to inconsistent stimulus efficacy and unwanted side effects.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that monitor sensory input and user movement to adjust stimulus dosage dynamically, delivering increased neural recruitment during periods of movement or sensory input, using techniques such as high-frequency bursts and adaptive control to maintain therapeutic effects while minimizing discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stimuli amplitude is increased to maintain effective neural recruitment during movement, then neural recruitment effectiveness is improved, but discomfort and unwanted sensations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts stimulus amplitude based on detected movement and sensory input levels. During movement or sensory input, the amplitude is increased to maintain effective neural recruitment. When movement and sensory input are minimal, the amplitude is reduced to minimize discomfort. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the stimulus parameter flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the stimulus amplitude parameter in response to detected physiological conditions. By monitoring movement and sensory input, the system modulates the amplitude parameter to match the user's state, ensuring effective neural recruitment when needed while minimizing discomfort during quiet periods.
2Reliability
If stimuli are applied continuously to maintain pain relief, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous stimulation, the system applies stimuli periodically based on detected movement and sensory input. Stimuli are delivered during periods of movement or sensory input when pain relief is most needed, and reduced or stopped during periods of inactivity. This periodic action maintains therapeutic effectiveness while significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own movement and sensory input as triggers for stimulus delivery. The user's physiological state itself determines when stimulation is needed, eliminating the need for continuous external control and optimizing energy usage based on actual therapeutic demand.
3Reliability
If stimulus frequency is increased to compensate for electrode migration, then neural recruitment consistency is improved, but discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts stimulus frequency based on detected movement. When movement is detected, frequency is increased to compensate for electrode migration and maintain consistent neural recruitment. When movement is minimal, frequency is reduced to minimize discomfort. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching stimulus parameters to actual physiological conditions.
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
Enhances pain relief by delivering therapeutic neural stimuli efficiently, reducing unwanted sensations and power consumption, and maintaining consistent neural recruitment despite changes in posture or movement.
Implementation Method 1
A neuromodulation system applies an electrical pulse to tissue in order to generate a therapeutic effect. An electrical pulse applied to the dorsal column by an electrode causes the depolarisation of neurons, and the generation of propagating action potentials.
Implementation Method 2
The task of maintaining appropriate neural recruitment is made more difficult by electrode migration and/or postural changes of the implant recipient, either of which can significantly alter the neural recruitment arising from a given stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
Applying therapeutic neural stimuli involves monitoring for at least one of sensory input and movement of a user. In response to detection of sensory input or user movement, an increased stimulus dosage is delivered within a period of time corresponding to a duration of time for which the detected sensory input or user movement gives rise to masking, the increased stimulus dosage being configured to give rise to increased neural recruitment.