Dysphagia Electrical Stimulation via Posterior Neck Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating dysphagia, such as electrical stimulation of the hands or anterior neck, pose safety hazards and are ineffective for some patients due to muscle activation and electrode placement issues, leading to incomplete treatment and potential discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An electrical stimulation device with transcutaneous or percutaneous electrodes is used to apply series of electrical pulses to specific muscle groups involved in swallowing stages, targeting central pattern generators through electrodes placed at the posterior neck or thoracic regions, along with motor points of muscles like buccinator, masseter, and trapezius, using biphasic, triphasic, or frequency-sequenced pulse train patterns to reeducate swallowing patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to the hands or anterior neck to treat dysphagia, then swallowing function may be improved, but safety hazards arise due to improper muscle activation and electrode placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrical stimulation to specific localized regions (posterior neck and thoracic regions) rather than general areas like hands or anterior neck. This targeted approach ensures that only the intended muscles and central pattern generators are stimulated, avoiding harmful activation of wrong muscle groups while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the posterior neck and thoracic regions as intermediary zones to access and stimulate the central pattern generators indirectly. This intermediary approach allows safe electrical stimulation that reaches the brainstem swallowing centers without directly stimulating vulnerable areas like the anterior neck structures.
2Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied to the anterior neck region, then swallowing muscles may be activated, but electrode placement becomes difficult and treatment incomplete due to muscle activation issues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing electrodes on the anterior neck (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by placing electrodes on the posterior neck and thoracic regions. This reverse placement achieves better muscle activation through the central pattern generators while significantly improving ease of electrode placement and adherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent targets specific local regions (posterior neck and thoracic regions) with well-defined anatomical landmarks, making electrode placement straightforward and reproducible. This localized approach avoids the difficulties of anterior neck placement while ensuring effective stimulation of swallowing muscles through central pattern generator activation.
3Reliability
If thermal stimulation is used to treat dysphagia, then swallowing reflexes may be regained, but treatment duration becomes prolonged requiring weeks or months of therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal stimulation (heat-based mechanical process) with electrical stimulation (electrical field-based process). This substitution provides more direct and potent activation of neural pathways and muscle fibers, achieving swallowing reflex recovery in shorter timeframes compared to the gradual effect of thermal stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic electrical pulse trains with specific frequencies and durations to stimulate swallowing muscles and central pattern generators. This rhythmic, controlled stimulation protocol accelerates neural pathway reeducation and muscle memory formation, reducing treatment duration compared to continuous or less structured thermal therapy.
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 effectively improves swallowing by reeducating central pattern generators, reducing muscle tone and spasticity, and enhancing swallowing phases, providing a safer and more effective treatment for dysphagia compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical stimulation device includes an electronic control unit connected to one or more channels of electrodes... The electronic control unit applies a series of electrical pulses to the patient through the one or more channels of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical stimulation device and method for the treatment of dysphagia is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical stimulation device includes one or more channels of electrodes each of which includes a first electrode positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a target region of a patient and a second electrode positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a posterior neck region or a posterior thoracic region of the patient. A series of electrical pulses are then applied to the patient through the one or more channels of electrodes in accordance with a procedure for treating dysphagia. The series of electrical pulses may comprise: a plurality of cycles of a biphasic sequential pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a biphasic overlapping pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a triphasic sequential pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a triphasic overlapping pulse train pattern; a functional pulse train pattern; a low-frequency pulse train pattern; or a frequency-sequenced pulse burst train pattern. Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed.