Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation via Capacitive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive methods for stimulating the vagus nerve in the neck are either painful or ineffective in selectively stimulating the target nerve without activating nearby nerves that cause pain, limiting their therapeutic potential.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive stimulator device that uses a source of electrical power and remote electrodes configured to stimulate deep nerves, with a continuous electrically conducting medium for capacitive coupling, applying specific waveform parameters to selectively modulate the vagus nerve's electrical activity, minimizing pain and avoiding stimulation of other nerves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-invasive electrical stimulation is applied to the vagus nerve in the neck, then therapeutic effects can be achieved, but nearby nerves are also activated causing pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a highly focused electric field that concentrates stimulation energy precisely on the vagus nerve while minimizing spread to adjacent nerves. This is achieved through specific electrode configuration and waveform parameters that localize the electric field effect to the target nerve, thereby achieving therapeutic effects without activating nearby pain-sensitive nerves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing waveform characteristics (frequency, amplitude, pulse duration) and electrode configuration parameters to selectively stimulate the vagus nerve. By carefully controlling these parameters, the electric field is tuned to match the electrical properties of the vagus nerve specifically, allowing differentiation from nearby nerves and preventing their activation.
2Measurement precision
If deeper nerve penetration is achieved, then selective stimulation of the vagus nerve improves, but stimulation of other nearby nerves increases causing pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by using a conductive gel or medium between the electrodes and skin surface that helps focus and direct the electric field. This intermediary substance enhances the penetration depth to reach the vagus nerve while maintaining field confinement, acting as a mediator that enables deep stimulation without proportionally increasing activation of surrounding nerves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using adjustable and adaptable waveform parameters that can be optimized for each patient's anatomy. The stimulation parameters are dynamically tuned to achieve the necessary penetration depth for selective vagus nerve stimulation while adapting to individual variations in tissue composition and nerve depth, thereby maintaining selectivity even at deeper penetration levels.
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 selective and pain-free stimulation of the vagus nerve, allowing for deeper penetration of the stimulus with reduced discomfort, effectively treating various medical conditions without the need for surgical implantation.
Implementation Method 1
with a continuous electrically conducting medium for capacitive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.