Flexible Body Stimulating Structure with Embedded Coil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cranial nerve stimulation methods face challenges in localizing magnetic stimulation, particularly in deep brain regions, due to the difficulty in focal stimulation and signal collection, with existing technologies causing potential damage and requiring invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A body stimulating structure with a conducting coil embedded in a flexible material is attached to an internal organ, generating a magnetic field for localized magnetic stimulation and signal collection, featuring a coil array with adjustable current flow and electrode integration for bio-signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is applied by inserting a neural probe into the brain, then direct stimulation of cranial nerves is achieved, but the risk of damage to cranial nerves increases and focal stimulation becomes difficult due to the conductive nature of brain material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible body with embedded coil as an intermediary device between the external environment and the cranial nerves. This mediator enables magnetic field delivery without direct electrical contact with the brain tissue, thereby reducing damage risk while achieving focal stimulation through localized coil placement and selective current activation.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic stimulation is applied from outside the skull using a metal coil, then surgery-free stimulation is achieved, but the focality of magnetic stimulation decreases and deep brain region stimulation becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic stimulation system into multiple independent coil segments embedded in a flexible body. Each coil can be independently activated to stimulate specific target sites, enabling focal magnetic stimulation of deep brain regions while maintaining the surgery-free advantage of external magnetic field delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from external skull-based magnetic stimulation to internal flexible-body-based stimulation by placing coils in close proximity to the target organ. This dimensional change from external to near-internal positioning dramatically improves stimulation focality and deep brain region accessibility while maintaining non-invasive operation.
3Reliability
If optical stimulation is applied by irradiating light into the brain through an optical waveguide, then cranial nerve stimulation is achieved, but specific gene transfection is required which limits future clinical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical stimulation (which requires gene transfection) with magnetic stimulation using embedded coils. This substitution eliminates the need for complex gene transfection procedures while maintaining effective cranial nerve stimulation, thereby reducing device and procedure complexity for clinical applications.
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 enhances the focality of magnetic stimulation while minimizing cranial nerve damage, allowing for precise targeting and efficient signal collection from the stimulated site, improving the effectiveness of cranial nerve stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field inductor formed in the body, wherein when power is supplied, the magnetic field inductor produces a magnetic field and applies magnetic stimulation to a target site of the internal organ
Data Source
AI summary
A body stimulating structure includes a body which is attached to an internal organ of a living body, and a magnetic field inductor formed in the body, wherein when power is supplied, the magnetic field inductor produces a magnetic field and applies magnetic stimulation to a target site of the internal organ of the living body to which the body is attached. A method for manufacturing the body stimulating structure includes: forming a first pattern on a first substrate and filling the first pattern with a conductor; stacking a second substrate on the first substrate; and forming a second pattern connected to the first pattern on the second substrate and filling the second pattern with a conductor.