Cranial Nerve Control Device with Real-Time Brain Activity Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing invasive deep brain stimulation methods for treating diseases like hydrocephalus and Parkinson's come with surgical risks and side effects, making them difficult to apply broadly due to complexity and potential for unintended seizures.
Innovation Solution
A cranial nerve control device that combines transcranial current stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy for real-time brain activity monitoring, allowing for non-invasive, AI-driven electrical stimulation without targeting damaged brain regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive deep brain stimulation is used to treat brain diseases, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but surgical risk and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive electrode insertion system with a non-invasive transcranial current stimulation system. The tCS device uses external electrodes placed on the scalp to deliver current through the skull to target brain regions, eliminating surgical risks while maintaining therapeutic effects for conditions like depression and OCD.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as an intermediary monitoring system. The fNIRS device measures brain activity in real-time using light absorption by hemoglobin, serving as a non-invasive mediator to monitor brain responses during tCS treatment without requiring direct brain penetration.
2Measurement precision
If real-time brain activity monitoring is added to control stimulation, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tCS stimulation device with the fNIRS monitoring device into an integrated system. The combined device allows simultaneous delivery of transcranial current and measurement of brain activity, with the controller coordinating both functions to achieve closed-loop control based on real-time brain responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the fNIRS monitoring system continuously measures brain activity changes during tCS treatment, and this information is fed back to the stimulation controller to adjust stimulation parameters in real-time, optimizing treatment effectiveness while maintaining safety.
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
Enables convenient treatment of brain diseases by automatically controlling electrical stimulation based on real-time brain activity, improving cognitive functions and motor skills in normal adults and stroke patients without the risks associated with invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a brain activity simultaneous measurement module of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for real-time brain activity monitoring
Implementation Method 2
a transcranial current stimulation{tCS=tACS (Transcranial Alternate Current Stimulation)+tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation)} device for central nerve stimulation
Implementation Method 3
a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device for peripheral nerve stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
A cranial nerve control device includes: goggles worn on a patient head; a functional electric stimulator adapted to apply peripheral nerve stimulation to a patient; a plurality of module guides provided to the goggles; a functional electric stimulator controller adapted to control the functional electric stimulator; a transcranial current stimulator-combined near-infrared spectroscopy measurement module controller adapted to control the transcranial current stimulator-combined functional near-infrared spectroscopy measurement module; and a simulation device connected to both the transcranial current stimulator-combined near-infrared spectroscopy measurement module controller and the functional electric stimulator to provide feedback of a transcranial current stimulation control signal to the transcranial current stimulator and feedback of a functional electrical stimulation control signal to the functional electric stimulator while monitoring the patient brain activity.