Closed Loop Control System for Spinal Cord Epidural Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) technologies lack closed-loop control for neuromodulation, limiting their therapeutic effectiveness in managing cardiovascular and bladder functions in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI) due to the absence of real-time, complex multi-system stimulation patterns, which is crucial for regulating dynamic interplay between these systems.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop control system integrating a neurostimulator, a first controller, a second controller, and sensors to apply and adjust spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) based on real-time physiological data, using predictive learning algorithms to optimize stimulation configurations for cardiovascular and bladder control, enabling seamless interaction and monitoring across multiple physiological systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal cord epidural stimulation is applied to improve cardiovascular and bladder function in individuals with SCI, then therapeutic benefits are achieved, but the lack of closed-loop control limits its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements closed-loop control by continuously monitoring physiological parameters (blood pressure, bladder pressure, EMG signals) and using this feedback to automatically adjust stimulation parameters. The system compares actual physiological responses with target values and dynamically modifies stimulation amplitude, pulse width, and frequency to optimize therapeutic outcomes while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs automatic parameter adjustment and stimulation delivery without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-regulates by processing sensor data, generating control decisions through algorithms, and executing stimulation parameter changes autonomously, reducing the burden on users and clinicians while improving reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex multi-system stimulation patterns are applied in real-time to regulate dynamic interplay between cardiovascular and bladder systems, then functional regulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into modular functional components: sensor modules for detecting physiological parameters, processing modules for analyzing data and generating control decisions, and execution modules for delivering stimulation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to simultaneously regulate multiple physiological systems (cardiovascular, bladder, respiratory) using a unified platform. The system can generate complex multi-system stimulation patterns by coordinating different electrode configurations and stimulation parameters across multiple targets, enabling versatile functional regulation without requiring separate dedicated devices for each system.
3Ease of operation
If the burden on the user to adjust and monitor stimulation and physiological parameters is reduced, then ease of operation improves, but automation requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors physiological parameters, processes sensor data, generates control decisions, and adjusts stimulation parameters without requiring manual user intervention. The automated control loop continuously adapts stimulation based on real-time physiological feedback, significantly reducing the operational burden on users while improving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback from multiple sensors monitoring physiological parameters, which is automatically processed to adjust stimulation parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to self-correct and optimize performance automatically, reducing the need for manual monitoring and adjustment by users.
Data Source
AI summary
A closed loop system for control of spinal cord epidural stimulation includes a second controller hosting software for receiving, from at least one sensor, physiological data from a subject, generating a stimulation configuration based on the data, and transmitting the configuration to a first controller which operatively causes a neurostimulator to apply the stimulation configuration to the subject, the physiological results of such stimulation are monitored by the at least one sensor.