Biosignal Neuromonitoring for Autonomic Nerve Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neuromonitoring techniques are inadequate for accurately identifying and localizing autonomic pelvic nerves due to differences in excitation and stimulus-response, particularly in the context of pelvic nerve damage during surgical interventions, which can lead to postoperative disorders and sexual dysfunction.

Innovation Solution

A method involving biosignal analysis, including time-domain and time-frequency-domain signal processing, to distinguish stimulus-induced muscle reactions of smooth muscles, using electric stimulation and biosignals such as impedance or bladder pressure, allowing for the localization of autonomic nerves by distinguishing these reactions from artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known neuromonitoring techniques (EMG, EP recording) are used for autonomic nerves, then motor and sensory nervous system monitoring is achieved, but autonomic nerve monitoring fails due to differences in excitation and stimulus-response

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuromonitoring accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to autonomic nerves

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the monitoring parameters from motor/sensory system parameters (electromyography, evoked potentials) to parameters suitable for autonomic nerves (impedance changes, pressure changes, volume changes). This allows the system to adapt to the unique excitation and stimulus-response characteristics of autonomic nerves while maintaining monitoring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual differentiation of biosignals is used to identify autonomic nerves, then nerve localization is attempted, but errors and delays occur due to difficulty in distinguishing from artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve localization accuracyVSAvoidtime for signal differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical differentiation process with an automated computer-based system that analyzes biosignals. The computer automatically distinguishes stimulus-induced muscle reactions from artifacts using signal processing algorithms, eliminating human error and time delays while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides near-real-time feedback by continuously monitoring biosignals and immediately processing them to identify autonomic nerve locations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows for real-time adjustment and confirmation of nerve localization, reducing both errors and time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If direct stimulation and electrophysiological recording are used, then motor and sensory nerve function is assessed, but autonomic nerve identification fails due to lack of synchronous muscle action potentials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve function assessmentVSAvoidautonomic nerve detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters from electrophysiological signals (action potentials, EMG) to physiological response parameters (impedance changes, pressure changes, volume changes) that are characteristic of autonomic nerve stimulation. This allows reliable detection of autonomic nerve function without requiring synchronous muscle action potentials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables reliable localization of autonomic nerves by accurately identifying stimulus-induced muscle reactions, reducing errors and delays associated with manual differentiation, and providing near-real-time feedback for nerve localization during surgeries.

Implementation Method 1

using electric stimulation and biosignals such as impedance or bladder pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance measurement: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

using electric stimulation and biosignals such as impedance or bladder pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20260096759A1System and method for neuromonitoring based on a biosignal

Publication Date: 2026.04.09 DR LANGER MEDICAL

AI summary

Provided is a medical system and method for neuromonitoring based on a biosignal. The medical system includes a computing system and performs the method for neuromonitoring based on a biosignal. The method includes monitoring and analysing the biosignal for localizing autonomic nerves associated with a stimulus-induced muscle reaction of smooth muscles of a target organ. The analysing step includes performing time-domain signal analysis of the biosignal to obtain time-domain signal characteristics; performing time-frequency-domain signal analysis of the biosignal to obtain time-frequency-domain signal characteristics; and determining, based on the time-domain signal characteristics and the time-frequency-domain signal characteristics, whether the biosignal is representative of a stimulus-induced muscle reaction. The method further includes outputting an indication that the stimulus-induced muscle reaction has been detected based on determining that the biosignal is representative of the stimulus-induced muscle reaction.