Autonomic Nervous System Modulation via Physiological Response Induction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for autonomic nervous system disorders, such as dysautonomia, are inadequate in effectively modifying the autonomic nervous system to alleviate symptoms.

Innovation Solution

The methods and devices induce physiological responses like sweating, gastric emptying, enhanced heart rate variability, and quantitative sensory test responsiveness to modulate the autonomic nervous system, achieving a desired parasympathetic to sympathetic activity ratio, thereby treating the underlying disease conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current treatments for autonomic nervous system disorders are used, then the treatment approach is simple and familiar, but the effectiveness in modifying the autonomic nervous system is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment method
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by inducing specific physiological responses (sweating, gastric emptying, heart rate variability changes) to modify the autonomic nervous system's functional parameters. This transforms the treatment approach from simple symptom management to targeted physiological parameter modification, thereby improving treatment effectiveness while maintaining manageable complexity through non-invasive stimulation methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If physiological responses are induced to modulate the autonomic nervous system, then the therapeutic outcome is improved, but the treatment method becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic outcomeVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment method
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service by utilizing the body's own physiological response mechanisms to treat autonomic dysfunction. By inducing natural physiological responses (sweating, gastric emptying, heart rate variability) through stimulation, the treatment leverages the body's inherent regulatory systems rather than requiring complex external intervention, thus improving therapeutic outcomes while controlling treatment complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment method incorporates feedback by monitoring and responding to the subject's physiological responses during treatment. By adjusting stimulation parameters based on observed physiological changes (such as heart rate variability and sweating responses), the system optimizes therapeutic effectiveness while maintaining manageable complexity through adaptive control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9821003B2Methods and devices for treating conditions associated with autonomic dysfunction
Publication Date: 2017.11.21 PALO ALTO INVESTORS LP

AI summary

Methods and devices treating an autonomic nervous system associated disease condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the invention include inducing one or more physiological response selected from the group consisting of sweating, gastric emptying, enhanced heart rate variability and enhanced quantitative sensory test responsiveness in a manner sufficient to modify the autonomic nervous system so as to treat the subject for the disease condition. The methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. in the treatment of subjects suffering from conditions arising from disorders of the autonomic nervous system.