Cranial Nerve Stimulation for Sleep Cycle Completion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Seizures during sleep disrupt sleep cycles, leading to sleep deprivation and associated physiological impairments in patients with seizure disorders, as seizures often occur more frequently during stage 2 sleep and can awaken patients prematurely, preventing transition to restorative stage 3 and REM sleep.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device (IMD) monitors sleep cycles and applies cranial nerve stimulation (CNS) to help patients complete sleep cycles by adjusting stimulation parameters based on sleep stage information, driving the patient from stage 2 to stage 3 and REM sleep to reduce seizure occurrence and improve sleep quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If cranial nerve stimulation is applied during stage 2 sleep to drive patient toward stage 3 sleep, then sleep cycle completion is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for sleep stage monitoring and parameter adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of restorative sleep stagesVSAvoidcomplexity of implantable medical device

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable medical device automatically monitors sleep stage information and adjusts cranial nerve stimulation parameters without requiring external intervention. The device self-regulates by detecting sleep stage transitions and autonomously modifying stimulation delivery to drive the patient through complete sleep cycles, eliminating the need for manual programming or external monitoring equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sleep stage information as feedback and uses this data to dynamically adjust cranial nerve stimulation parameters. The feedback loop enables the device to detect when the patient is in stage 2 sleep and automatically modify stimulation to promote transition to stage 3 and REM sleep, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to the patient's real-time physiological state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If cranial nerve stimulation parameters are adjusted based on sleep stage information, then seizure reduction is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase for sleep stage detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficacy of seizure treatmentVSAvoidprecision of sleep stage detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable medical device performs multiple functions: it monitors sleep stage information, detects seizure activity, and delivers cranial nerve stimulation therapy. By integrating these functions into a single device, the system reduces the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifies the overall measurement and intervention process while maintaining reliable seizure treatment efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the IMD monitors sleep cycles continuously to determine sleep stages, then sleep quality improvement is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of sleep cycle monitoringVSAvoidenergy consumption of implantable medical device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable medical device monitors sleep stage information at periodic intervals rather than continuously, adjusting cranial nerve stimulation parameters based on these periodic assessments. This periodic monitoring approach maintains sufficient accuracy for determining sleep stages and guiding therapy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, extending the device's operational lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10080895B2Optimization of cranial nerve stimulation to treat seizure disorders during sleep

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 LIVANOVA USA INC

AI summary

A method includes determining sleep cycle information related to a sleep cycle of a patient based on body parameter data. The method also includes adjusting a cranial nerve stimulation parameter based on the sleep cycle information.