Array Stimulator Using Composite Pulses for Deep Tissue Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices face limitations in achieving deep tissue penetration due to pain from activation of cutaneous afferents and limited intensity of stimulation, leading to short-lived and localized pain relief, while implanted stimulators with multiple electrodes are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array, generating composite pulses with varying component pulses to achieve deep tissue stimulation without direct activation of cutaneous afferents, using a single efficient switching supply to control current distribution and optimize battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TENS devices use surface electrodes to stimulate nerves, then cutaneous afferent fibres are activated to produce analgesia, but the intensity of stimulation is limited by pain from activation of Aδ and C-fibres lying immediately under the electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the stimulation task into multiple electrode pairs arranged in an array, where each pair stimulates a specific region. By segmenting the stimulation across multiple pairs with sequentially delayed pulses, the device can achieve deeper tissue penetration while distributing the stimulation intensity to avoid activating pain-threshold Aδ and C-fibres at any single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary action by delivering pulses to multiple electrode pairs in a predetermined sequential order with specific time delays. The first pulse pair is applied to a first region, followed by subsequent pulse pairs to adjacent regions after a delay period, allowing cumulative deep tissue stimulation while keeping individual electrode intensity below pain thresholds.
2Length of stationary object
If TENS devices increase stimulation intensity to achieve deep tissue penetration, then deeper fibres can be stimulated, but pain is caused from activation of cutaneous afferents at the electrode site
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the deep tissue stimulation task across multiple electrode pairs positioned at different locations. Each pair delivers lower intensity pulses that individually stay below the pain threshold, but collectively achieve deep tissue penetration through spatial distribution and temporal sequencing of the pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the effects of multiple low-intensity pulses from different electrode pairs by applying them in close temporal sequence. The cumulative effect of these combined pulses achieves deep tissue penetration and activates deep fibres without any single pulse causing superficial pain at the electrode sites.
3Adaptability or versatility
If implanted stimulators use multiple electrodes to stimulate broader areas, then more comprehensive pain relief can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes each electrode pair multi-functional by programming them to stimulate different regions at different times. The same physical electrode pair can be configured to target various anatomical locations by changing the stimulation parameters and timing, eliminating the need for separate dedicated electrode pairs for each region and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control where the stimulation parameters (amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and timing delays) are programmable and adjustable. This allows the device to adapt to different patient needs, pain locations, and treatment protocols, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring a fixed complex hardware configuration for each scenario.
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 enables more effective and long-lasting pain relief by increasing current density in deep tissues without causing superficial pain, simplifying the design of stimulators with multiple outputs, and improving battery life through efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
A signal generator produces a train of electrical pulses which travel through the body to stimulate nerves
Implementation Method 2
current whose density falls off with distance from the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An array stimulator has a plurality of electrodes in an array (22), the electrodes forming a plurality of electrode pairs, and a signal generator (18) for generating signals to the electrodes so as to generate electrical pulse in a patient to which the stimulator has been applied either transcutaneously or by implantation. Those electrical pulses form a composite pulse in the patient which stimulates the nervous system of the patient. The composite pulse has a duration between 4µs and 1500µs and a maximum voltage between 2V and 50V when the stimulator is implanted, and 15V to 500V when applied transcutaneously. The electrical pulses themselves are significantly shorter duration than the composite pulse, so they stimulate the nervous system of the patient much less than the composite pulse or not at all.