Adjustable Conductive Coil for Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) face limitations, including invasive procedures, side effects from pharmacological therapies, and lack of effective monitoring for pulsed electromagnetic stimulation (PES) therapies, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes for many patients.
Innovation Solution
A conductive coil system that generates a focused magnetic or electromagnetic field adjustable to accommodate anatomical structures, equipped with sensors for real-time feedback to ensure proper positioning and intensity of the magnetic field, allowing for non-invasive and customizable treatment of target nerves, such as the tibial nerve, to provide effective stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PES therapy is applied without feedback monitoring, then the treatment can be administered, but the efficacy is uncertain and dosage cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect nerve stimulation and muscle response in real-time, providing feedback to a controller to adjust stimulation parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal dosage delivery and confirms therapy efficacy by monitoring whether the target nerve is actually being stimulated at the intended intensity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed coil geometry is used for PES therapy, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate variations in anatomical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs coils with adjustable geometry that can be repositioned and reconfigured to accommodate different anatomical structures. The coil system includes mechanisms for adjusting position, orientation, and configuration to match the specific anatomical contours of each patient, thereby maintaining adaptability without requiring overly complex fixed structures.
3Reliability
If invasive surgical intervention is performed for OAB/UI treatment, then structural correction is achieved, but quality of life deteriorates due to long-term catheterization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical surgical interventions with non-invasive electromagnetic field-based neuromodulation. By using external coils to generate electromagnetic fields that stimulate nerves without physical intrusion, the system achieves treatment effectiveness while avoiding the harmful effects of surgery and long-term catheterization, thereby preserving quality of life.
4Reliability
If pharmacological therapy is prescribed for OAB/UI, then symptom relief is achieved, but side effects increase particularly in elderly populations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pharmacological interventions with physical electromagnetic stimulation that directly targets neural pathways. This non-pharmacological approach provides symptom relief through neuromodulation while eliminating drug-related side effects, making it particularly suitable for elderly patients who are sensitive to medication interactions and adverse effects.
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 system enables consistent and repeatable stimulation of peripheral nerves, improving treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction by ensuring accurate dosage and minimizing side effects, allowing for outpatient treatment and potential home use.
Implementation Method 1
The related scientific principle is that an electric current passing through a coil generates an electromagnetic field, which induces a current within a conductive material placed inside the electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
an electric current passing through a coil generates an electromagnetic field, which induces a current within a conductive material placed inside the electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Energy emitting systems are provided which include an adjustable conductive coil configured to generate a magnetic or electromagnetic field focused on a target nerve. The coil includes a central aperture which may be adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration having a radius greater than the radius of the first configuration. The adjustable or movable nature of the coil allows the conductive coil to conform to, accommodate, or be positioned on a particular anatomical structure of a patient to position the coil in proximity to the underlying target nerve. In certain embodiments, methods of magnetic induction therapy are provided which include positioning a conductive coil relative to a portion of a patient's body by adjusting the central aperture of the coil such that the coil may conform to, accommodate or be positioned on the portion of the patient's body in proximity to the underlying target nerve.