Direct Current Nerve Block Using Renewable Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pain management technologies based on spinal cord stimulation and dorsal root ganglia stimulation in the kHz frequency range are not perfect, as they do not completely inhibit pain transmission and can cause uncomfortable side effects like paresthesia, and there is a need for systems that directly block pain fibers to manage pain and other conditions such as movement disorders and cardiovascular health.
Innovation Solution
A system using electron-to-ion current conversion cells (EICCCs) with electrodes that generate ion current to modulate nerve membrane potential, achieving acute or chronic nerve block by delivering direct current through electrodes made of materials like silver-chloride, with reversible electrochemical processes, and employing a system with two or more EICCCs to maintain nerve block using opposite polarities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spinal cord stimulation or dorsal root ganglia stimulation is used, then pain transmission inhibition is achieved, but complete block is not achieved and side effects such as paresthesia occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful paresthesia side effect by using direct current nerve conduction block technology that completely blocks pain fibers without activating non-nociceptive fibers, thereby removing the source of paresthesia while maintaining pain inhibition efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stimulation parameter from alternating current at kHz frequencies to direct current, which fundamentally alters the mechanism of action from indirect gate control to direct nerve conduction block, achieving complete pain fiber block without paresthesia
2Reliability
If direct current is delivered to achieve complete nerve block, then pain and neural activity are effectively blocked, but potential nerve damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic delivery of direct current pulses rather than continuous delivery, allowing the nerve tissue to partially recover between pulses, thereby maintaining effective nerve block while minimizing cumulative nerve damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reversible electrochemical processes at the electrode interface that continuously generate and dissipate ions, maintaining sustained nerve block effectiveness while the reversibility prevents permanent tissue damage through controlled electrochemical reactions
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrochemical processes occur at the electrode, then ion current is generated to modulate nerve potential, but electrode material consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reversible electrochemical reactions where the electrode material is consumed during the blocking phase and then regenerated during the recovery phase, effectively discarding and recovering the electrode material in a cyclic manner to maintain sustained functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrode material parameters by using materials with appropriate electrochemical properties that enable reversible reactions, such as silver/silver chloride electrodes, which can be consumed and regenerated through controlled electrochemical processes
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 blocks pain signals and other neural activity, reducing pain and managing conditions like hypertension and psychiatric disorders without causing paresthesia, and allows for prolonged nerve suppression with minimal nerve damage.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode at which an electrochemical process occurs to generate current in the form of ions to change the electrical potential around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential
Implementation Method 2
an electrode at which a capacitive charging process occurs to generate current in the form of ions to change the charge density around the nerve and modulate the nerve membrane potential
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block. The systems and methods can utilize at least one renewable electrode. The methods can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate nervous tissue sufficient to block conduction in the nervous tissue. Delivering the first direct current can place the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nervous tissue after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The nervous tissue can be maintained in the hypersuppressed state for a desired period, such as at least about 1 minute.