Ear Canal Electro-stimulation Device for Noninvasive Nerve Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, such as deep brain stimulation, are invasive and carry significant risks, necessitating a noninvasive alternative that effectively targets the auricular branches of critical cranial nerves for symptom alleviation.
Innovation Solution
An electro-stimulation device is designed to be fully insertable in the external ear canal, featuring multiple electrodes and a control unit that can wirelessly adjust stimulation parameters to target the vagus, trigeminal, facial, and glossopharyngeal nerves, allowing for transcutaneous stimulation and fine-tuning of current, voltage, and signal form based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deep brain stimulation electrodes are implanted into the subthalamic nucleus, then Parkinson's disease symptoms can be effectively treated, but the procedure becomes invasive with significant surgical risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the external ear canal as an intermediary access route to reach the subthalamic nucleus. Instead of direct brain surgery, electrodes are inserted through the ear canal, using the existing anatomical pathway as a mediator to deliver stimulation to the target brain region without invasive craniotomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the treatment approach by separating the electrode insertion procedure from direct brain surgery. The electrodes are inserted through a separate, less invasive route (ear canal) rather than requiring open brain surgery, dividing the invasive procedure into a safer external access method.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard deep brain stimulation is used with fixed frequency parameters, then subthalamic nucleus stimulation is achieved, but different Parkinson's symptoms require different frequencies that cannot be addressed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic stimulation parameters where the frequency, amplitude, and other electrical characteristics can be adjusted in real-time based on the specific symptoms being treated. The system transitions from fixed parameters to dynamically adaptable parameters that can be optimized for tremor, rigidity, or other Parkinson's manifestations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing modification of stimulation frequency, voltage, and pulse width to address different symptoms. The system can switch between 60 Hz for swallowing and verbal fluency, 130-185 Hz for general motor symptoms, and 180 Hz for tremor-resistant patients, adapting parameters to clinical needs.
3Reliability
If the battery is placed under the thorax skin with wires going under the skin to the brain, then deep brain stimulation can be delivered, but the procedure becomes extremely invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and pulse generator from the traditional intracranial implantation site and places it externally, likely in a wearable device positioned near the ear or on the body surface. This removes the need for creating tunnels under the skin from the chest to the brain, significantly reducing surgical invasiveness while maintaining stimulation delivery.
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 provides a noninvasive, effective treatment for neurological disorders by modulating nerve stimulation parameters, alleviating symptoms like tremors, dysphagia, and autonomic dysfunction without the risks associated with invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
having at least one electrode adapted to be transcutaneously attached to the innervation of the external ear canal of a human and being provided with a stimulation end adapted to generate an electrical stimulation signal
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electro-stimulation device (100) where the innervation of the external ear canal (10) is transcutaneously stimulated for treatment of neurological diseases. The present invention more particularly relates to an electro-stimulation device (100) comprising a cylindrical ear insert (110) the surface of which contains at least one electrode (120) being provided with a stimulation end adapted to be transcutaneously attached to the innervation of the external ear canal (10) of a human. The electro-stimulation device is configured to stimulate anterior, superior, posterior or inferior positions of the external ear canal to stimulate simultaneously, sequentially or separately the trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, vagus nerve or glossopharyngeal nerve of the external ear canal. A control unit and a wireless communication unit are preferably placed in the cylindrical ear insert and the control unit is configured adjust the stimulation based on sensor signals sch as motion sensor (accelerometer), video/image sensor (blinking movements), EEG, ECG, voice/swallowing sensor, temperature sensor.