DBS Excitation Pattern Prediction via Bioelectrical Signal Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems lack real-time feedback mechanisms to optimize stimulation parameters, leading to inefficiencies in treating neurological disorders due to the inability to accurately detect and predict excitation patterns, especially during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) procedures, where communication lag and FDA restrictions hinder effective synchronization of DBS cycles with imaging data acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize bioelectrical signals to predict future excitation patterns of DBS, converting them into digital logic pulses and generating a time stamp log to synchronize medical data acquisition with the DBS excitation cycle, enabling accurate identification of brain regions activated during stimulation and assessing the health of the DBS system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fMRI is used to provide feedback on DBS stimulation, then real-time optimization of DBS parameters is enabled, but FDA restrictions prohibit patients with implanted DBS pulse generators from undergoing MRI

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback accuracyVSAvoidFDA restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by detecting DBS excitation patterns through bioelectrical signals (such as EKG or EEG) rather than directly using MRI. The detection system acts as a mediator that can monitor DBS status without requiring the patient to be inside an MRI scanner, thus overcoming the FDA restriction while still enabling real-time feedback for optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If DBS electrodes are cycled ON and OFF during DBS, then stimulation parameters can be optimized, but there is no way to know whether the DBS excitation cycle is in ON or OFF condition when the patient is inside the MRI scanner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation optimizationVSAvoidexcitation state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors bioelectrical signals to detect the actual excitation state of DBS electrodes in real-time. This feedback loop provides continuous information about whether the electrodes are in ON or OFF condition, allowing the system to adapt stimulation parameters based on actual excitation state without requiring direct communication with the DBS controller during MRI scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If DBS parameters are communicated from controller to pulse generator and then to electrodes, then stimulation can be delivered, but a multi-second time lag occurs resulting in differences between requested and measured stimulation periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation deliveryVSAvoidcommunication time lag

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the actual excitation pattern occurrence in advance and using this information to predict future excitation states. The system proactively adjusts fMRI acquisition timing based on predicted excitation patterns rather than reacting after the lag has occurred, thereby compensating for the communication time lag and synchronizing imaging data with actual stimulation periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If fMRI data acquisition is synchronized with DBS excitation cycles, then accurate identification of brain regions activated during stimulation is enabled, but communication time lag and programming delays cause large errors in assessing stimulation state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrain region identification accuracyVSAvoidstimulation state assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electronic synchronization method (relying on precise timing signals from the DBS controller) with a signal-based detection method. By monitoring actual bioelectrical signals and detecting real excitation patterns, the system substitutes timing-based synchronization with signal-based synchronization, which is more accurate and less susceptible to communication lags and programming delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10390766B2System and method for predicting an excitation pattern of a deep brain stimulation

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 BLUE RIDGE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system and method for predicting an excitation pattern of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) from monitored bioelectrical signals includes an apparatus having a housing having a signal input and a signal output and an electrical circuit disposed within the housing. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled between the signal input and the signal output and is configured to receive bioelectrical signals corresponding to an excitation signal transmitted by a pulse generator during a DBS. The electrical circuit is also configured to convert the bioelectrical signals into digital logic pulses, predict a future timing pattern of the excitation signal from the digital logic pulses, and generate an output from the future timing pattern, the output comprising a log of time stamps predictive of future active transmission periods of neurological excitation.