DBS Electrode Pathway Planning for Dual-Target Brain Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DBS technologies lack clarity on specific intracephalic targets and adaptability, as well as effective stimulation modes for treating drug addiction and other mental disorders, with existing methods failing to simultaneously deliver electrical stimulation to both the nucleus accumbens and the anterior limb of the internal capsule.
Innovation Solution
A pathway planning apparatus and method that plans a precise implantation pathway for an electrode lead to simultaneously contact and stimulate both the nucleus accumbens and the anterior limb of the internal capsule, using magnetic resonance and CT image data to locate key points and guide the electrode lead through specific angles and directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional single-target DBS approach is used, then the surgical procedure is simple, but the treatment effectiveness for complex mental disorders is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stimulation targets (nucleus accumbens and anterior limb of internal capsule) into a single electrode lead implantation pathway. The pathway is designed to pass through both targets sequentially, enabling simultaneous stimulation of multiple brain regions through one surgical procedure, thus merging the benefits of multi-target therapy while maintaining surgical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional single-point target approach into a multi-dimensional pathway approach. Instead of targeting a single coordinate, the electrode pathway is designed to traverse through multiple three-dimensional spatial locations (nucleus accumbens and anterior limb of internal capsule) along a continuous trajectory, adding spatial dimensionality to the stimulation strategy.
2Ease of operation
If an electrode lead is implanted to stimulate one specific brain tissue, then the implantation is straightforward, but simultaneous stimulation of multiple brain tissues is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple stimulation functions into a single electrode lead by designing a pathway that contacts both the nucleus accumbens and anterior limb of internal capsule. This allows one electrode lead to perform multiple stimulation functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate implantation procedures for each target.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode lead is designed with universal applicability to stimulate multiple different brain tissues through a single implantation. The pathway planning system enables the same electrode lead to contact different target structures (nucleus accumbens and anterior limb of internal capsule) depending on the programmed trajectory, making the device multi-functional.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DBS targets are not specifically defined, then the surgical approach is flexible, but the adaptability with treatment targets is unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary planning of the electrode pathway before the actual surgical implantation. The pathway is calculated and visualized in advance based on the patient's specific brain anatomy, identifying the optimal trajectory that will contact both the nucleus accumbens and anterior limb of internal capsule. This preliminary action ensures precise target localization while maintaining surgical flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pathway planning system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the brain tissue. This system processes imaging data, calculates optimal trajectories, and provides guidance during implantation, serving as a mediator that translates anatomical information into precise surgical pathways without requiring the surgeon to directly measure and locate targets during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A pathway planning apparatus includes a processor configured to plan a pathway for implanting an electrode lead into a brain of a patient, wherein the planned pathway satisfies the following condition: if the electrode lead is implanted into the brain of the patient according to the pathway, the electrode lead is capable of simultaneously making contact with an anterior limb of an internal capsule and a nucleus accumbens in one hemisphere of a brain of the patient. The pathway planned by the pathway planning apparatus enables the electrode lead to simultaneously deliver the electrical stimulation to the anterior limb of the internal capsule and the nucleus accumbens such that a combined electrical stimulation therapy is achieved, which has a better effect of treating diseases such as addictive behaviors, depressive disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.