Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Suppressing Spreading Depolarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for suppressing Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) are invasive and/or pharmacological, leading to side effects and prolonged time for CSD cessation, necessitating a non-invasive and efficient means to suppress CSD.
Innovation Solution
The use of a 2D Tuckwell model to simulate CSD, where the calcium conductance term is modified to suppress CSD waves, and in real brains, focused stimulation at the site of CSD with a random stimulation pattern can fully stop CSD waves within 1 minute.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive or pharmacological methods are used to suppress CSD, then CSD suppression effectiveness is improved, but side effects and treatment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical interventions (surgery, injections) with non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation. The stimulation delivers electrical current through the skull to modulate cortical activity and suppress CSD waves without penetrating brain tissue, thereby eliminating surgical side effects while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies electrical stimulation parameters (intensity, frequency, duration, pulse width) to achieve optimal CSD suppression. By adjusting these parameters, the treatment can be tailored to individual patients and optimized to minimize side effects while maximizing therapeutic benefit, addressing both effectiveness and safety concerns.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive stimulation is used to suppress CSD, then side effects are reduced, but suppression speed and effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electrical stimulation delivered in controlled trains or bursts. This rhythmic stimulation pattern synchronizes with or disrupts the propagating CSD waves, enhancing suppression effectiveness. The periodic nature also allows for rest periods that prevent tissue overheating and reduce side effects while maintaining rapid action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic stimulation protocols where parameters such as intensity, frequency, and timing are adjusted in real-time based on monitoring of cortical activity. This dynamic adaptation enables the treatment to respond to changing brain states, optimizing suppression speed while preventing excessive stimulation that could cause side effects.
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 model successfully suppresses CSD waves, and real-brain stimulation techniques can achieve complete CSD suppression within minutes, offering a rapid and non-invasive solution.
Implementation Method 1
the stimulation of focused locations of the brain (i.e. at and near the site of the CSD) with a random stimulation pattern can fully stop CSD waves
Implementation Method 2
Any stimulation technique that can randomly change the membrane potentials in the brain within certain specifications disclosed herein can randomly change the calcium conductance and results in complete suppression of the CSD
Data Source
AI summary
Methods providing reliable and non-invasive ways to suppress spreading depolarization waves leading to cortical spreading depression are disclosed. A stimulation signal is applied at the location of and surrounding the location of the spreading depolarization and the amplitude and focal point of the stimulation signal are randomly varied, causing suppression of the spreading depolarization wave.