Coupled Monopolar and Multipolar Pulsing for Neurostimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurostimulation systems face challenges in selectively stimulating target neural tissue while minimizing the activation of non-target tissue, leading to side effects such as paresthesia and muscle twitching, due to the lower excitation threshold of dorsal root nerve fibers compared to dorsal column nerve fibers.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method where conditioning pulses are conveyed in either a monopolar or multipolar manner, followed by stimulation pulses in a different manner, to preferentially stimulate dorsal column nerve fibers while rendering dorsal root nerve fibers less excitable, thereby minimizing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monopolar or multipolar stimulation is used to stimulate neural tissue, then therapeutic effects can be achieved, but non-target neural tissue is also activated causing side effects such as paresthesia and muscle twitching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary conditioning pulses before therapeutic stimulation pulses to modify the excitability state of neural tissue. The conditioning pulses are delivered in advance to selectively raise the excitation threshold of non-target dorsal root nerve fibers, preventing their activation during subsequent therapeutic stimulation while leaving target dorsal column nerve fibers unaffected, thereby eliminating side effects like paresthesia and muscle twitching
2Reliability
If stimulation intensity is increased to ensure target tissue activation, then therapeutic coverage is improved, but activation of non-target tissue with lower excitation threshold increases side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary anti-action by delivering conditioning pulses that preemptively counteract the tendency of non-target dorsal root nerve fibers to be activated. These conditioning pulses raise the excitation threshold of vulnerable non-target fibers before therapeutic stimulation begins, creating a protective effect that allows higher intensity therapeutic stimulation without causing side effects from non-target activation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If monopolar conditioning pulses are used, then non-target tissue can be suppressed, but stimulation of target tissue becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges monopolar and multipolar pulse delivery methods into a unified two-phase protocol. The monopolar conditioning phase suppresses non-target tissue, followed by a multipolar stimulation phase that efficiently activates target tissue. This combination leverages the advantages of both approaches: monopolar for selective suppression and multipolar for efficient target stimulation, achieving both side effect reduction and therapeutic efficacy
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 allows for more precise stimulation of target neural tissue, reducing unwanted side effects and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of neurostimulation by selectively modulating the excitation thresholds of different nerve fibers.
Implementation Method 1
conveying at least one conditioning pulse from the plurality of electrodes... conveying at least one stimulation pulse from the plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A method and neurostimulation system of providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes are placed in contact with tissue of a patient, a conditioning pulse is conveyed from the plurality of electrodes in one of a monopolar manner and a multipolar manner, and a stimulation pulse is conveyed from the plurality of electrodes in a different one of the monopolar manner and the multipolar manner. As one example, the sub-threshold conditioning pulse may be a depolarizing pulse conveyed from the plurality of electrodes to render a first region of the tissue less excitable to stimulation, and the stimulation pulse may be conveyed from the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second different region of the tissue.