Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation for Surround Inhibition Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal cord stimulation systems face challenges in effectively providing sub-perception electrical stimulation that activates surround inhibition to treat pain, requiring precise electrode configuration determination and adaptive adjustment to maintain therapeutic efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a neurostimulator with control circuitry to determine optimal electrode configurations by recording neural responses at local and surround receptive fields, using closed-loop feedback to adjust stimulation based on recorded responses, ensuring the stimulation remains below perception threshold and activates surround inhibition for pain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal cord stimulation systems are used, then pain relief can be provided, but the system lacks the capability to precisely determine and adapt electrode configurations to activate surround inhibition
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs closed-loop feedback by recording neural responses at local and surround receptive fields and using these recordings to adjust stimulation parameters. The control circuitry continuously monitors neural activity and adapts electrode configurations based on the recorded responses, ensuring optimal activation of surround inhibition for effective pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts electrode configurations and stimulation parameters based on real-time neural response recordings. The control circuitry modifies stimulation patterns adaptively to maintain therapeutic efficacy, transitioning from static to dynamic configuration optimization for activating surround inhibition.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sub-perception stimulation is used to activate surround inhibition, then pain relief is achieved, but precise determination of electrode configuration is required which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the receptive field monitoring into local and surround components, allowing independent recording and analysis of neural responses from different spatial regions. This segmentation enables precise determination of electrode configurations that selectively activate surround inhibition while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular measurement approaches.
3Extent of automation
If closed-loop feedback is implemented to adjust stimulation based on neural responses, then adaptive control is achieved, but measurement and recording requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode leads serve multiple functions: they deliver stimulation currents to the spinal cord and simultaneously record neural responses from both local and surround receptive fields. This multi-functionality enables closed-loop feedback control without requiring separate sensing electrodes, reducing overall system complexity while achieving adaptive control.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for proving spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for treating pain in a patient are described. Embodiments of the described methods and systems can provide sub-perception SCS that has a fast wash-in time by using stimulation parameters that activate surround inhibition in the patient. Measuring retrograde potentials evoked by the stimulation can be performed to facilitate choosing the best stimulation parameters, in particular, the best stimulating electrode contact configurations for activating surround inhibition. For example, peripheral electrodes may be placed at the center of the patient's pain (within a local receptive field (LRF), with respect to the patient's pain center) and within an area surrounding the patient's pain center (within a surrounding receptive field (SRF), with respect to the patient's pain center). Retrograde evoked potentials measured and the SRF and/or the LRF can be used to guide the selection of the stimulation parameters.