High-Frequency Electrical Brain Therapy to Reduce Side Effects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deep brain stimulation (DBS) and cortical stimulation techniques for treating motor dysfunctions and neurological conditions often cause undesirable side effects such as paresthesia, unwanted motor effects, disturbed speech, and cognitive interference due to low-frequency neural synchronization.

Innovation Solution

Applying electrical signals with higher fundamental frequencies (1.2 kHz to 500 kHz) for brain modulation, using multiple electrodes to deliver focused energy and reduce side effects, and incorporating sensing elements for real-time parameter adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If low-frequency electrical stimulation (under 1,200 Hz) is applied to the brain, then motor dysfunction symptoms are reduced, but undesirable side effects such as paresthesia, unwanted motor effects, disturbed speech, and cognitive interference occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of electrical stimulation from conventional low frequencies (under 1,200 Hz) to high frequencies (1,200 Hz to 500 kHz). This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction between electrical signals and neural tissue, achieving therapeutic effects while avoiding the synchronization of broad neural populations that causes side effects at lower frequencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic parameter adjustment by interleaving different frequency signals (e.g., alternating between 10 kHz and 130 Hz) in time-varying patterns. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects by adapting the stimulation pattern to different neural circuits and treatment phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple electrodes are used to deliver focused energy, then side effects are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside effectsVSAvoidnumber of electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the stimulation task across multiple independently controllable electrodes rather than using a single electrode. Each electrode can deliver signals with different parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) to different neural targets, enabling spatially selective stimulation that reduces side effects while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular electrode design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12447333B2Electrical therapy applied to the brain with increased efficacy and/or decreased undesirable side effects, and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 NEVRO CORP

AI summary

Electrical therapy applied to the brain with increased efficacy and/or decreased undesirable side effects, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative method includes applying a therapy signal to a patient, via at least one electrode at a subdural or epidural location at the patient's brain, to provide effective therapy that reduces or eliminates the effects of a patient disorder. The therapy signal does not induce any non-therapeutic side effects, and has a frequency in a frequency range of from 1.2 kHz to 500 kHz, an amplitude in an amplitude range from 0.1 to 20 mA, and a pulse width in a pulse width range from 1 microsecond to 400 microseconds.