Depletion Block Stimulation for Pulmonary Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are inadequate in reducing the frequency and severity of acute exacerbations, particularly in 'frequent exacerbators,' due to incomplete control of parasympathetic drive and airway inflammation.
Innovation Solution
A reversible synaptic junction block, or depletion block, is applied to targeted nerves using an electrode and pulse generation system to reduce parasympathetic drive, achieved by delivering electrical pulses at frequencies between 100 Hz to 1 kHz to alleviate symptoms of pulmonary disease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current COPD treatments (long-acting muscarinic antagonists, long-acting beta agonists, corticosteroids, and antibiotics) are used, then some symptom control is achieved, but the frequency and severity of acute exacerbations remain insufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and blocks parasympathetic nerve signals at their source in the airway wall ganglia, separating the therapeutic action from systemic drug administration. By delivering electrical stimulation directly to the intramural ganglia, the treatment selectively interrupts cholinergic neurotransmission locally, achieving more reliable control of airway smooth muscle tone and glandular secretion without the systemic side effects that limit current medication efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical stimulation acts as an intermediary mechanism between the treatment device and the parasympathetic nervous system. Instead of using pharmacological agents that must navigate complex systemic distribution and metabolism, the electrical pulses directly modulate ganglionic activity, providing a more reliable and controllable means of reducing airway inflammation and preventing exacerbations.
2Reliability
If parasympathetic nerve control is enhanced to reduce bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion, then airway control improves, but the complexity of the treatment system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by targeting the intramural ganglia within the airway wall itself, rather than requiring complex external nerve stimulation systems. The electrodes are positioned directly against the airway wall where the ganglia are located, creating a localized therapeutic effect that precisely controls bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion at the site of action without requiring complex system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The airway wall ganglia themselves serve the function of controlling parasympathetic output when modulated by the electrical stimulation. By stimulating the ganglia in situ, the system utilizes the body's own neural infrastructure to achieve therapeutic control, eliminating the need for complex external nerve stimulation hardware and simplifying the overall device complexity.
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 effectively reduces bronchoconstriction, mucus production, and inflammation, thereby decreasing the occurrence of acute exacerbations and improving quality of life for COPD patients.
Implementation Method 1
delivering electrical pulses at frequencies between 100 Hz to 1 kHz to alleviate symptoms of pulmonary disease
Implementation Method 2
A reversible synaptic junction block, or depletion block, is applied to targeted nerves using an electrode and pulse generation system
Data Source
AI summary
An example of a system may include an electrode and a pulse generation system. The electrode may be configured to be implanted near a neural target that innervates airways. The pulse generation system may be configured to be operably connected to the electrode to deliver depletion block stimulation through the electrode to alleviate symptoms of pulmonary disease. The pulse generation system and the electrode may be configured to cooperate to capture axons in the neural target. The depletion block stimulation may include a series of pulses at a depletion pulse frequency.