Layer-Specific Cortical Stimulation for Parkinson's Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating neural disorders like Parkinson's disease is highly invasive due to the precise navigation challenges and risks of damaging brain tissues and blood vessels, necessitating a less invasive alternative.
Innovation Solution
Stimulating specific layers of the cerebral cortex, such as Layer II, Layer III, and Layer V, using implanted electrodes or non-invasive methods like optogenetics, TMS, or ultrasonic receptors to suppress beta oscillations, which are associated with Parkinson's disease, thereby reducing the invasiveness and risks of deep brain surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deep brain stimulation electrodes are implanted in the subthalamic nucleus to treat Parkinson's disease, then abnormal impulses in the brain are regulated and symptoms are released, but the procedure becomes highly invasive with high risk of damaging brain tissues and blood vessels
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of stimulating deep brain structures (subthalamic nucleus) as in conventional DBS, this patent inverts the approach by stimulating the cerebral cortex (superficial brain structure) to achieve similar therapeutic effects. The cortex is the source of abnormal beta oscillations in Parkinson's disease, and stimulating it directly addresses the pathology while avoiding deep brain surgery risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional deep brain implantation (requiring precise navigation to reach structures 8 cm below dura) to a superficial cortical stimulation approach. This dimensional change from deep to superficial brain structures eliminates the need for complex stereotactic surgery while maintaining treatment efficacy.
2Reliability
If deep brain stimulation electrodes are implanted to regulate abnormal impulses, then Parkinson's disease symptoms are released, but precise navigation is challenging due to variable location and small contact section of the target nucleus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional DBS approach by targeting the cerebral cortex instead of the subthalamic nucleus. The cortex is easily accessible and does not require complex stereotactic navigation, making the procedure much simpler while still effectively treating Parkinson's symptoms through cortical stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the treatment approach by focusing on specific cortical layers (particularly layer V) rather than attempting to precisely target a small deep brain structure. This segmentation allows for easier electrode placement while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through layer-specific stimulation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cortical layers are selectively stimulated to suppress beta oscillations, then treatment efficacy is improved with reduced invasiveness, but precise layer identification and targeting becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by stimulating specific cortical layers (particularly layer V) with different stimulation parameters than other layers. The electrode design and stimulation protocol are optimized to preferentially activate layer V neurons, which are the primary source of abnormal beta oscillations in Parkinson's disease, while minimizing stimulation of adjacent layers.
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 approach provides a less invasive method for treating neural disorders by effectively suppressing beta oscillations with targeted cortical stimulation, reducing the risk of complications and improving treatment efficacy while minimizing interference with brain tissues and blood vessels.
Implementation Method 1
non-invasive methods like optogenetics
Implementation Method 2
non-invasive methods like TMS
Implementation Method 3
non-invasive methods like ultrasonic receptors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating neural disorders is provided. The method includes the following operation. A stimulation is delivered to a layer of a cortex of a patient with a neural disorder, wherein the stimulation is delivered to less than all layers of the cortex of the patient. In another method for treating neural disorders, a stimulation is delivered to a cortex of a patient with a neural disorder, wherein the stimulation delivered to one of a plurality of layers of the cortex is stronger than to other layers of the cortex. The system for treating neural disorder is also provided. The system includes a stimulation signal generator and a layer-specific stimulation means. The layer-specific stimulation means is coupled to the stimulation signal generator, configured to deliver a stimulation to a specific layer of a cortex of a patient with a neural disorder.