Auricular VNS Electrode Layout for Adaptive Chronic Pain Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) devices have low efficiency and usability, lack adaptability, and are cumbersome to use, failing to provide effective pain relief for chronic muscle pain due to limited contact with the auricular branch of the vagus nerve and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A wearable electronic stimulating device with electrode modules designed to fit the cymba concha and cavum concha of the ear, featuring a resilient C-shape and spikes for optimal contact, paired electrodes for precise nerve stimulation, and a control module for customizable signal patterns, including a heart rate sensor for dynamic adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical VNS implementation is used, then pain relief effectiveness is improved, but patient health risks and treatment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidpatient health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The auricular branch of the vagus nerve serves as an intermediary access point to deliver vagal stimulation effects without requiring direct surgical intervention on the main vagus nerve. This mediator approach allows achieving pain relief effectiveness while avoiding surgical risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/surgical implantation system with a non-invasive transcutaneous stimulation system. Instead of surgically implanting electrodes near the vagus nerve, the system uses skin-contact electrodes on the ear to deliver electrical stimulation through the skull bone, substituting a less invasive mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-invasive t-VNS delivery systems are used, then patient safety and tolerability are improved, but stimulation efficiency and hit ratio decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidstimulation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating multiple electrodes at specific locations on the auricular concha where the vagus nerve is closest to the skin surface. This localized electrode arrangement optimizes the probability of effectively stimulating the target nerve while maintaining non-invasive safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow real-time modification of stimulation parameters (voltage, pulse width, frequency) based on individual patient responses and anatomical variations. This dynamic adaptation optimizes stimulation efficiency for each user while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If current t-VNS stimulator designs are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to individual anatomical variations and usability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the stimulation system into multiple independent electrodes that can be individually positioned and controlled. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different ear anatomies by selectively activating electrodes that best match the user's specific nerve location, while keeping each electrode module relatively simple in design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device achieves enhanced precision and comfort in stimulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, improving pain relief efficacy and adaptability to individual anatomical variations, while being self-sustained and user-friendly.

Implementation Method 1

each electrode module having an outer curved surface configured such that the one or more electrode modules contact the skin of the cymba concha when the device is worn in the user's ear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260061196A1Techniques for a wearable electronic stimulating device

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 RELIEF TECHNOLOGIES AS

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method of operating a wearable electronic stimulation device. The method can include providing and arranging the wearable electronic vagus nerve stimulating (VNS) device and applying vagus nerve stimulation using the VNS device. The method can also include monitoring and recording a user's physical symptoms and providing to the user behavior instructions. The method can also include combining the vagus nerve stimulation with the monitored and recorded physical symptoms, and/or the behavior instructions to generate a personalized treatment plan for managing the user's chronic pain.