Closed-Loop taVNS System for Stroke Motor Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stroke rehabilitation methods are invasive, costly, and time-consuming, lacking a reliable noninvasive system for translating promising transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) into clinical practice, which hinders accelerated recovery and increased efficiency in motor function restoration.

Innovation Solution

A closed-loop neurorehabilitation system that utilizes a motion detector and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation module, synchronized with detected motor activity to deliver precise electrical stimulation, reducing treatment duration and reliance on medical devices, with adjustable parameters such as intensity, frequency, and pulse width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive cervical vagus nerve stimulation is used to treat stroke, then neuroplasticity and motor recovery are enhanced, but the procedure becomes surgically invasive and requires permanent medical devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuroplasticity enhancementVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the ear canal as an intermediary pathway to deliver vagus nerve stimulation without direct cervical nerve access. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the ear serves as a remote entry point that can modulate central nervous system activity and promote neuroplasticity without requiring surgical implantation in the neck region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical implantation of cervical electrodes with a non-invasive electrical stimulation delivery system through the ear. This substitution eliminates the need for surgical hardware while maintaining the therapeutic electrical stimulation effect on the vagus nerve pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If professionally assisted motor rehabilitation training is provided, then motor recovery is achieved, but treatment time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor recoveryVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vagus nerve stimulation before and during motor rehabilitation tasks to primed the nervous system for enhanced plasticity. By pre-activating neuromodulatory pathways, the system prepares the brain to more effectively learn and adapt during subsequent motor training, reducing the overall time needed for recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent delivers continuous or repeated bouts of vagus nerve stimulation paired with motor practice sessions, maintaining a state of enhanced neuroplasticity throughout the rehabilitation process. This continuous modulation of neural excitability allows for more efficient learning and faster motor recovery compared to intermittent or standalone approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If noninvasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is used, then surgical invasiveness is reduced, but a reliable system for clinical translation is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical invasivenessVSAvoidclinical translation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates motion detection feedback to trigger and modulate vagus nerve stimulation in real-time based on patient movement. This closed-loop system ensures that stimulation is delivered at the appropriate moments during motor tasks, enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of the noninvasive treatment approach for clinical application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This system accelerates motor recovery by enhancing neuroplasticity through precise pairing of stimulation with movement, reducing treatment time and costs, and improving patient outcomes in upper and lower limb rehabilitation post-stroke.

Implementation Method 1

vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), which delivers electricity to the vagus nerve, sending an afferent signal to the brainstem, activating the brain's primary source of norepinephrine (locus coeruleus) which results in broad downstream neuroplastic cellular effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVagus nerve stimulation: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentUS20230398348A1Motion-activated, closed-loop non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for neurorehabilitation

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 MUSC FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT(US)

AI summary

A system for neurorehabilitation is disclosed that includes a motion detector configured to generate a motion detection feedback signal, a transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation module, and a controller configured to receive the motion detection feedback signal and send a stimulation signal to the transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation module based on the motion detection feedback signal meeting a minimum threshold criteria. A method for neurorehabilitation is disclosed that includes the steps of detecting patient motor activity, determining if the detected patient motor activity meets a minimum threshold criteria, and stimulating a vagus nerve through transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation if the minimum threshold criteria is met.