External Vagus Nerve Stimulation via Magnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for nausea and vomiting, such as medications and implanted vagus nerve stimulation devices, are not universally effective and often come with risks or undesirable implanted power sources, particularly for pregnant women or patients requiring temporary relief.
Innovation Solution
An external current source is used to apply electrical signals to the vagus nerve through electrodes placed on or under the skin, eliminating the need for an implanted power supply and allowing for non-invasive treatment of nausea and vomiting by magnetic induction or direct electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an implanted vagus nerve stimulation device is used, then the treatment effectiveness for nausea and vomiting is improved, but the device complexity and surgical invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and control electronics from the implanted device, placing them externally. This removes the need for implanted batteries and complex circuitry while maintaining vagus nerve stimulation capability, thereby reducing device complexity and surgical invasiveness while preserving treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate components: an external power and control unit, and a simpler implanted electrode array. This segmentation allows the complex functions to be housed externally while the implanted portion remains minimal, reducing overall device complexity and surgical requirements
2Duration of action of stationary object
If an implanted power supply is used, then continuous stimulation is possible, but the surgical invasiveness and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is extracted from the implanted device and placed in an external unit. This eliminates the need for surgical implantation of batteries or power sources, reducing surgical invasiveness and patient discomfort while allowing continuous stimulation through the external power unit
3Ease of operation
If medications are used for treating nausea and vomiting, then the treatment is non-invasive, but the effectiveness is not universal and fetal risks exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical stimulation as an intermediary mechanism between the external power source and the vagus nerve. This provides a non-invasive treatment approach (external power source) while achieving reliable effectiveness through direct neural stimulation, avoiding both medication risks and implanted power sources
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 reduces nausea and vomiting without the risks associated with implanted devices, providing a convenient and safe treatment option for patients, including pregnant women, by using an external power source for vagus nerve stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
applying electrical current from an external current source to a vagus nerve of a patient
Implementation Method 2
allowing for non-invasive treatment of nausea and vomiting by magnetic induction or direct electrical stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for treating nausea and vomiting are provided, including one or more electrodes (10, 12) applied on or under the skin, the electrodes being connected to an external current source (34). The electrodes can be implanted under the skin and connect to internal stimulator electronics (22), which can form a magnetic inductive link to the external current source (34). Alternatively, the electrodes can be placed on the skin and directly linked by wires to the external current source. As a further alternative, the vagus nerve can be directly stimulated in the neck, or the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or intestines can be directly stimulated by magnetic stimulation. The electrodes can stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck to reduce nausea and vomiting, or can be arranged near the chest or abdomen, so as to stimulate the esophagus, stomach, duodenum or intestines. Because the current source is provided outside the body, it is not necessary to implant batteries or another power supply in the body.