Closed-Loop Neuromodulation for Brain Region Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack an effective way to activate brain regions for therapeutic purposes, particularly for treating incontinence and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, with existing electrical stimulation techniques being limited in their ability to target brain areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a control unit, sensors, and electrodes that generate electrical pulses synchronized with the patient's movement frequency, allowing for precise neuromodulation by adjusting pulse parameters such as frequency, duration, and shape to stimulate specific nerves, including the peroneal and tibial nerves, to activate brain regions like the basal ganglia and limbic system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to peripheral nerves, then muscle stimulation and incontinence treatment effects are achieved, but brain region activation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates sensors that detect movement frequency of body parts and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts electrode pulse parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes brain region activation while treating incontinence and neurodegenerative conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts electrical stimulation parameters in real-time based on detected movement frequency. The control unit modifies pulse frequency, amplitude, and duration according to the patient's physiological state, enabling adaptive optimization of both peripheral nerve stimulation and brain region activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical pulses are generated with fixed parameters, then device simplicity is maintained, but individual patient response optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts electrode pulse parameters based on movement frequency detection without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing stimulation parameters according to real-time physiological feedback, reducing the need for complex manual programming while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes electrical parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse duration) based on detected movement frequency. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the device to adapt to individual patient responses and varying physiological states while maintaining a relatively simple control architecture.
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 statistically significant activation of brain regions, improving neuronal activity and blood flow, which can treat symptoms of incontinence and potentially delay or prevent neurodegenerative diseases by optimizing neuromodulation parameters based on individual patient responses.
Implementation Method 1
generating pulses... connected to the electrode for setting at least one electrode pulse parameter
Implementation Method 2
The detector of the device can be an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, an accelerometer
Implementation Method 3
The control unit of the device further sets the flow of current of electrode pulses automatically... for neuromodulation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and a device for an activation of brain regions. The method comprises attaching a first active electrode to a first leg of a person in the back of the knee area in an expected location of a peroneal nerve of the first leg and attaching a grounding electrode to the person. Generating electrical pulses by a pulse generator connected to the first active electrode and the grounding electrode. Stimulating by the first active electrodes the peroneal nerve of the first leg, activating the brain regions via the stimulation and controlling via a control unit a flow of the generated pulses to the first electrode.