Asynchronous Neural Stimulation for Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurological stimulation systems for pain treatment often fail to provide effective and pleasant sensations for all patients, as they rely on synchronous neural responses that may not be beneficial for everyone.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting a target stimulation frequency above the refractory period threshold for neurons, delivering electrical signals to multiple sensory neurons at this frequency to induce asynchronous neural responses, which can produce a smoother and more pleasant sensation by interleaving pulses from multiple signals with specific timing and amplitude variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronous neural responses are used for pain treatment, then the treatment can be effective for some patients, but the sensation may not be pleasant or beneficial for all patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional synchronous stimulation approach by implementing asynchronous neural responses where pulses are deliberately delivered at non-uniform intervals. This inversion transforms the fixed, predictable timing into variable, unpredictable timing patterns that prevent neuronal adaptation and produce more pleasant sensory perceptions while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed-frequency synchronous stimulation to dynamic asynchronous stimulation where inter-pulse intervals vary over time. The pulse generator delivers electrical pulses with non-uniform timing, creating dynamic neural responses that adapt to prevent habituation and maintain patient comfort throughout prolonged therapy sessions.
2Ease of operation
If higher stimulation frequencies are used to produce asynchronous neural responses, then patient comfort and sensation quality improve, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electrical pulse delivery with varying intervals between pulses. By using periodic stimulation at frequencies above the refractory period threshold while introducing asymptotic timing variations, the system maintains therapeutic effectiveness and patient comfort while allowing for energy management through controlled pulse patterns and inter-pulse intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters including frequency, amplitude, and inter-pulse intervals to achieve asynchronous neural responses. By modifying these parameters according to the asymptotic timing function, the system optimizes sensation quality while managing power consumption through efficient parameter selection that maintains therapeutic benefits without excessive energy expenditure.
3Reliability
If electrical pulses are delivered at frequencies above the refractory period threshold to neurons, then asynchronous neural responses are produced, but this requires higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial excessive action by delivering electrical pulses at frequencies that exceed the minimum refractory period threshold required for asynchronous responses. This ensures reliable production of asynchronous neural responses while the system manages the associated power consumption through efficient pulse delivery patterns and timing optimization that minimizes unnecessary energy expenditure.
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
This approach enhances patient outcomes by providing a more pleasant sensation while minimizing power consumption and reducing the risk of maladaptive responses, potentially offering longer-term therapy effectiveness with reduced power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
delivering electrical signals to multiple sensory neurons at this frequency to induce asynchronous neural responses
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for producing asynchronous neural responses to treat pain and/or other patient conditions are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting a target stimulation frequency that is above a threshold frequency, with the threshold frequency corresponding to a refractory period for neurons of a target sensory neural population. The method can further include producing a patient sensation of paresthesia by directing an electrical signal to multiple sensory neurons of the target sensory neural population at the stimulation frequency, with individual neurons of the sensory neural population completing corresponding individual refractory periods at different times, resulting in an asynchronous sensory neuron response to the electrical signal.