Dual Coil Nerve Stimulation Device with Field Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electro-magnetic stimulation devices for activating nerves, such as the Phrenic nerves, face limitations in efficiently stimulating multiple nerves simultaneously while minimizing interference with other medical devices and avoiding disuse atrophy of muscles like the diaphragm during mechanical ventilation, where existing coil winding systems generate fields that can disrupt nearby equipment and fail to effectively target specific nerves without causing co-stimulation effects.
Innovation Solution
A stimulation device comprising two independent coil units positioned to generate distinct electro-magnetic fields that can be adjusted for targeted nerve stimulation, with a security arrangement to ensure compliance with safety policies, including field cancellation and precise positioning to minimize interference with other medical devices, and a control unit to monitor and adjust stimulation parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two coils are located close to each other to stimulate two Phrenic nerves simultaneously, then nerve stimulation efficiency is improved, but electro-magnetic field interference with other medical devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the stimulation system into two independent coil units, each capable of stimulating one Phrenic nerve separately. This segmentation allows the coils to be positioned close to their respective nerves while maintaining independent control, reducing the cumulative electromagnetic interference compared to a single large coil system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each coil unit is designed to generate a localized electro-magnetic field that is concentrated at its target nerve. The field strength is optimized locally at the nerve location while decaying rapidly with distance, minimizing the electromagnetic impact on other medical devices in the vicinity.
2Power
If coil winding systems generate strong electro-magnetic fields for effective nerve stimulation, then stimulation effectiveness is improved, but impact on other medical devices nearby increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total stimulation power is distributed across two separate coil units rather than concentrated in one system. Each coil operates at optimized power levels for its specific target, achieving effective nerve stimulation while the segmented architecture reduces the overall electromagnetic footprint affecting other devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the natural decay of electro-magnetic field strength with distance to its advantage. By positioning coils close to nerves and accepting that field strength diminishes rapidly beyond the target zone, the system converts what would be harmful far-field interference into beneficial localized stimulation, effectively using the field's decay特性 to protect other medical devices.
3Device complexity
If a single coil system is used for electro-magnetic stimulation, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to stimulate multiple nerves simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulation device is segmented into two independent coil units, each capable of stimulating a different Phrenic nerve. This segmentation enables simultaneous multi-nerve stimulation while keeping each coil unit relatively simple in design, avoiding the need for a single complex multi-functional coil system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each coil unit is designed as a universal stimulation module that can independently target its respective nerve. The two identical or similar coil units work together to provide multi-nerve stimulation capability, achieving versatility through replication of a simple, effective basic unit rather than through a single complex system.
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
The device enables efficient and coordinated stimulation of multiple nerves, reducing muscle disuse atrophy and minimizing interference with other medical equipment by generating independent and targeted electro-magnetic fields, ensuring safe and effective activation of target tissues like the diaphragm.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil unit (10) configured to be positioned at the human or animal body to stimulate a first nerve (61) by applying an electric or electro-magnetic first field (B1)
Implementation Method 2
The first coil unit (10) and the second coil unit (20) are connected in series
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a stimulation device to securely stimulate a first and a second nerve in a human or animal body for activating a target tissue in the human or animal body, comprising: a first coil unit configured to be positioned at the human or animal body to stimulate the first nerve; a second coil unit configured to be positioned at the human or animal body to stimulate the second nerve; wherein the first and second coil units are arranged such that a sum of the electro-magnetic field generated by the first and second coil units respectively is about zero, e.g. arranged axial or substantially axial, and comprise windings wound in opposite directions; and a control unit configured to initiate the stimulation, in accordance with a predefined security policy including conditions to activate or prevent the stimulation.