Biosignal-Adaptive Electrical Stimulation for Pain Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable electrical stimulation systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust stimulation parameters based on real-time biosignal measurements, which can lead to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes.

Innovation Solution

The system utilizes measured power spectra or signal coherence to modify stimulation parameters, allowing for real-time adjustments based on biosignal analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If implantable electrical stimulation systems deliver fixed stimulation parameters, then device complexity is reduced, but therapeutic efficacy deteriorates due to inability to adapt to real-time biosignal changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors biosignals (such as EMG or EEG) and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust stimulation parameters. The processor analyzes the biosignal characteristics and modifies stimulation delivery in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing physiological conditions without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing its own operational parameters through biosignal monitoring and autonomously modifying stimulation settings. This eliminates the need for continuous external programming or manual adjustment by healthcare providers, allowing the device to optimize its own performance based on real-time physiological feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If implantable electrical stimulation systems continuously monitor biosignals and adjust parameters in real-time, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulator electrodes serve multiple functions: they both deliver electrical stimulation to the target tissue and detect biosignals for analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while enabling real-time adaptability through the same electrode array used for stimulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If external programmers are required to adjust therapy delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to need for external device interaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy adjustment convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing its own operational parameters through biosignal monitoring and autonomously modifying stimulation settings. This eliminates the need for continuous external programming or manual adjustment by healthcare providers, allowing the device to optimize its own performance based on real-time physiological feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4000684B1Devices to use power spectrum or signal association for pain management
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP
  • EP4000684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4000684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4000684B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Methods and systems for electrical stimulation can include obtaining a biosignal of the patient; altering at least one stimulation parameter of an electrical stimulation system in response to the biosignal; and delivering an electrical stimulation current to one or more selected electrodes of the electrical stimulation system using the at least one stimulation parameter. In some embodiments, a power spectrum is determined from the biosignal. In some embodiments, the biosignal is at least two different biosignals measured at the same or different locations on the patient and a coherence, correlation, or association between the two biosignal is determined.