External Auditory Canal Photobiomodulation for Cranial Nerve Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photobiomodulation techniques for stimulating cranial nerves and arteries lack effective methods for targeted irradiation within the external auditory canal, which is crucial for achieving long-lasting therapeutic effects such as increased cerebral blood flow and neural modulation.

Innovation Solution

A photobiomodulation device designed to be inserted into the external auditory canal, featuring irradiation sources that target arterial branches and peripheral nerve branches of cranial nerves, controlled by an electrical circuit and optionally connected to a mobile communication device for wireless or wired operation, delivering red visible light radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If photobiomodulation is delivered transcranially or intra-nasally, then cranial arteries and nerves can be stimulated, but targeted irradiation within the external auditory canal cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeting precisionVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The irradiation device is nested within the ear canal structure, with the housing containing the irradiation sources positioned to deliver light through the dermis of the external auditory canal to target cranial nerves and arteries. This nested configuration enables precise targeting while maintaining ease of insertion and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dermis of the external auditory canal serves as an intermediary medium through which the irradiation sources deliver light energy to the underlying cranial nerves and arteries. This intermediary approach allows non-invasive access to deep targets while maintaining targeting precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If steady or static radiation is used, then continuous stimulation is provided, but over-heating of adjacent tissues occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous stimulationVSAvoidtissue heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The irradiation sources deliver pulsed near-infrared radiation rather than continuous steady radiation. This periodic action provides continuous therapeutic stimulation over time while allowing tissue cooling between pulses, preventing over-heating of adjacent tissues in the external auditory canal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If irradiation sources are positioned to target cranial nerves and arteries, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidirradiation source positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs multiple irradiation sources positioned at specific locations within the housing to target different anatomical structures (cranial nerves and arteries) at distinct positions within the external auditory canal. Each irradiation source is localized to deliver energy to specific targets, achieving reliable therapeutic effects while maintaining a manageable device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 stimulates cranial nerves and arteries, enhancing cerebral blood flow and neural modulation, with lasting effects due to activation of signaling pathways and transcription factors, addressing conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's, and other neurological disorders.

Implementation Method 1

photons disassociate inhibitory nitric oxide leading to an increase in electron transport, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

Chromophores contain both heme and copper centers which absorb light in the infra-red and near infra-red regions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

Pulsed Near-Infrared Photobiomodulation (PNIP) is a technique which uses radiant light energy to modify biological systems with a resulting therapeutic effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotobiomodulation:

Implementation Method 4

increase in electron transport, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMitochondrial stimulation:

Implementation Method 5

Pulsed, rather than steady or static radiation, is believed to reduce the potential over-heating of the adjacent tissues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulsed radiation:

Data Source

PatentUS12453864B2External auditory canal photobiomodulation device

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 BROWN CHRISTOPHER R

AI summary

A photobiomodulation device may include a housing configured to be inserted into an external auditory meatus of a human ear, at least a one irradiation source coupled to the housing such that at least a portion of a radiation emitting surface thereof faces at least a portion of dermis of the external auditory meatus of the ear beneath which at least one of an arterial branch and a peripheral nerve branch of at least one cranial nerve is located, and an electrical circuit carried by the housing and configured to control the at least one radiation source to irradiate the at least one of the arterial branch and the peripheral nerve branch of the at least one cranial nerve through the at least a portion of dermis of the external auditory meatus of the ear.