Cervical Spinal Cord Neuromodulation to Restore Breathing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for addressing depressed respiratory states, such as those caused by brainstem or spinal cord injuries, primarily focus on stimulating the diaphragm muscle through phrenic nerve stimulators, which do not account for changes in the patient's activity state and only activate the inspiratory phase of respiration.
Innovation Solution
Applying spinal cord stimulation, including transcutaneous, epidural electrical stimulation, and magnetic stimulation, combined with pharmaceuticals, to neuromodulate the cervical spinal cord at specific frequencies and intensities to regulate and restore normal breathing patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phrenic nerve stimulators are used to stimulate the diaphragm muscle, then the inspiratory phase of respiration is activated, but the system cannot respond to changes in patient activity state and only activates part of the respiratory cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the respiratory control function by stimulating multiple spinal cord segments (cervical and thoracic regions) rather than a single nerve, enabling activation of both inspiratory and expiratory phases through distributed stimulation of the central pattern generator network
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect patient activity state and respiratory parameters, providing feedback to the stimulation controller which adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time to match patient needs and activity level
2Reliability
If phrenic nerve stimulators activate only the diaphragm muscle, then the inspiratory phase is stimulated, but the complex network of circuits involved in central pattern generation is not engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional peripheral nerve stimulation to multi-dimensional central nervous system stimulation by targeting multiple spinal cord segments and utilizing the intrinsic network architecture of the central pattern generator to produce coordinated respiratory patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the body's own central pattern generation network to automatically coordinate respiratory muscle activation, allowing the biological system to self-organize the complex patterns of inspiration and expiration without requiring external control of each individual muscle
3Productivity
If current stimulation technologies are applied, then respiratory function is partially restored, but the system fails to achieve normal tidal volume and respiratory rate across all patient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment of stimulation parameters including frequency, amplitude, and pulse width based on real-time feedback from respiratory sensors and patient activity detectors, allowing optimization of respiratory output for each patient's specific condition and activity level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in stimulation parameters (frequency, intensity, duration) to modulate the central pattern generator and achieve physiological respiratory rates and tidal volumes that adapt to different patient conditions, from complete spinal cord injury to depressed respiratory drive
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 method effectively restores and regulates respiration, achieving at least 60-90% of a subject's normal tidal volume and respiratory rate, even in motor complete spinal cord injuries and other respiratory deficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
neuromodulating the cervical spinal cord of said subject by administering transcutaneous stimulation to the cervical spinal cord
Implementation Method 2
neuromodulating the cervical spinal cord of said subject by administering epidural stimulation to the cervical spinal cord
Implementation Method 3
neuromodulating the cervical spinal cord of said subject with a magnetic stimulator
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, methods are provided for improving, and/or regulating, and/or restoring respiration in a subject with a respiratory deficiency. In certain embodiments the methods involve neuromodulating the cervical spinal cord of a subject by administering transcutaneous stimulation to the cervical spinal cord or a region thereof at a frequency and intensity sufficient to regulate and/or to restore respiration; and/or neuromodulating the cervical spinal cord of a subject by administering epidural stimulation to the cervical spinal cord or a region thereof at a frequency and intensity sufficient to regulate and/or to restore respiration; and/or neuromodulating the cervical spinal cord of a subject with a magnetic stimulator at a frequency and intensity sufficient to regulate and/or to restore respiration.