Auricular Electrical Stimulation for Coagulation and Bleeding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for bleeding control, particularly in human subjects, lack effective non-invasive solutions to minimize blood loss, enhance tissue oxygenation and perfusion, and reduce systemic inflammation during hemorrhage or sepsis, with limited human data supporting current neural stimulation approaches.
Innovation Solution
Non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spleen via vagal efferent fibers (VEF) and trigeminal branches to increase coagulation potential (CPot) and trigemino-parasympathetic response (TPSr), using auricular neurostimulation to modulate spleen activity and enhance platelet activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive electrical stimulation is applied to achieve bleeding control, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to lack of human data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vagal efferent fibers as an intermediary target to achieve spleen stimulation indirectly. By stimulating the vagus nerve in the neck area, the patent activates the spleen through neural pathways without requiring direct access to the spleen or invasive procedures, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical stimulation methods with non-invasive electrical stimulation. Instead of using mechanical approaches that require direct tissue access or surgical intervention, the patent employs electrical currents delivered through skin electrodes to achieve the same physiological effect, thereby improving ease of operation
2Reliability
If invasive vagal stimulation is used to minimize blood loss, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of vagal stimulation and separates it from the invasive component. By identifying and targeting the vagal efferent fibers in the neck region, the patent achieves the same bleeding control effect without requiring invasive access to the spleen or deep neural structures, thus simplifying the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional invasive approach (requiring surgical access to deep neural structures) to a two-dimensional non-invasive approach (surface electrode placement in the neck). This dimensional change allows the same therapeutic effect to be achieved through a simpler, less invasive pathway
3Reliability
If subdermal electrodes are used for neural stimulation, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to invasive nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vagus nerve in the neck as an intermediary pathway that connects to the spleen. By placing electrodes on the skin over the neck region, the patent activates the vagal efferent fibers that project to the spleen, achieving reliable stimulation without requiring direct subdermal electrode placement in difficult-to-access areas
Solution Approach 2:
The vagal efferent fibers serve multiple functions: they provide a reliable neural pathway for spleen stimulation, offer an accessible anatomical location for electrode placement, and enable non-invasive delivery of electrical signals. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
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
Accelerates coagulation, reduces bleeding time and volume, enhances tissue oxygenation and perfusion, and mitigates systemic inflammation, providing rapid hemostasis and anti-inflammatory responses in acute and chronic scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
Non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spleen via vagal efferent fibers (VEF) and trigeminal branches
Data Source
AI summary
In an illustrative embodiment, methods and system for increasing coagulation potential and/or triggering a higher platelet activation rate in a subject via auricular neurostimulation include contacting skin of the subject with one or more therapeutic electrodes, each electrode positioned in a respective region of nerve structures of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN), nerve structures connected to the ATN, nerve structures of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), or nerve structures connected to the ABVN, applying, to the electrodes, one or more stimulation patterns.