Head Cap Channel Identification for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcranial electrical stimulation methods are invasive, unreliable, and often ineffective in accurately targeting specific brain areas for stimulation, particularly in treating neurological conditions like stroke, due to the complexity of neural functions and the risks associated with surgically implanting electrodes and lead wires.
Innovation Solution
A transcranial electrical stimulation system incorporating a hybrid optrode with an optical probe and electrode, designed to detect changes in cerebral cortical blood flow, allowing for high-definition and high-density stimulation by automatically identifying and targeting specific brain areas using a head cap with channel identification modules and a controlling module to adjust current intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are implanted within a patient at a desired location for electrical stimulation, then the reliability of neural stimulation is improved, but the surgical invasiveness and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (channel identification module with sensor) that detects brain area characteristics non-invasively to guide electrode placement, thereby maintaining stimulation reliability while reducing surgical invasiveness. The sensor acts as a mediator between the external stimulation system and the internal brain tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of cerebral cortical blood flow changes and channel identification before electrode implantation or stimulation. This preliminary action allows for optimized electrode placement and configuration, improving reliability while reducing the complexity of the surgical procedure.
2Ease of operation
If lead wires are tunneled through bodily tissues to connect IPG and electrodes, then the electrical stimulation function is achieved, but the system reliability deteriorates due to stress from bodily motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic lead wire component from the system by utilizing the channel identification module to guide transcranial stimulation through the skull without requiring tunneled lead wires through bodily tissues. This eliminates the source of reliability issues while maintaining stimulation functionality.
3Reliability
If direct bipolar electrical stimulation is provided to nerve or muscle tissue, then the therapeutic response is achieved, but the risk of infection and inconvenient recovery period increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach using transcranial electrical stimulation through the skull with channel identification guidance, eliminating direct penetration into brain tissue. This maintains therapeutic effectiveness while removing the infection risk and recovery issues associated with direct bipolar stimulation implantation.
4Device complexity
If conventional electrical stimulation methods are used without channel identification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of brain area targeting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brain into specific areas with distinct functions and uses channel identification modules with sensors to precisely identify and target each area. This segmentation approach enables precise brain area targeting while keeping the overall system modular and manageable, balancing complexity and precision.
5Reliability
If high-definition and high-density transcranial stimulation is implemented, then the neural function improvement is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the head cap into multiple channels, each with its own identification module and sensor, allowing high-definition and high-density stimulation across different brain areas. This segmentation enables sophisticated neural modulation while maintaining modular architecture that manages device complexity.
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 system enables precise and non-invasive stimulation of specific brain areas, improving neural function by accurately delivering electrical currents based on real-time cerebral blood flow changes, potentially enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for neurological conditions without the risks of invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Transcranial electrical stimulation system using CES-NIRS (cranial electrical stimulation-near infrared spectroscopy) unit for detecting the change in cerebral cortical blood flow
Data Source
AI summary
A head cap with channel identification includes a head cap, channel identification module, a controlling module, and electrical stimulation modules. The head cap includes the channels therein, and the head cap includes brain regions corresponding to the brain areas of the human being. The electrical stimulation modules disposed in the channels, and the channel identification modules disposed around the peripheral of the channels. The controlling module is electrically coupled to the channel identification modules. When the electrical stimulation modules disposed in some of the channels, the channel identification modules around the peripheral of the channels and the electrical stimulation module are constituted a circuit conduction status or a short circuit status, then the channel identification module transmits a signal to the controlling module to determine the desired sites of the electrical stimulation module where is corresponding to one of the brain areas of the human being according to the signal.