High-Frequency Spinal Cord Modulation Without Paresthesia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) technologies often result in undesirable side effects such as unwanted motor stimulation and interference with sensory functions, and require complex lead placement and parameter adjustment processes to achieve pain relief.
Innovation Solution
The use of high frequency spinal cord modulation with frequencies between 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, primarily around 3 kHz to 10 kHz, applied at vertebral levels T9 to T12, reduces pain without inducing paresthesia and is less sensitive to lead location and signal delivery parameters, simplifying the implantation and parameter adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard frequency spinal cord stimulation is used, then pain relief can be achieved, but unwanted motor stimulation and interference with sensory functions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high frequency stimulation (1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, primarily 3 kHz to 10 kHz) instead of standard low frequency stimulation. This parameter change in frequency selectively inhibits pain transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord while avoiding motor nerve stimulation and sensory interference that occur with traditional frequencies, thus resolving the contradiction between pain relief effectiveness and harmful side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent delivers stimulation at specific vertebral levels (T9 to T12) to target the dorsal horn of the spinal cord where pain transmission occurs. This localized approach ensures that pain relief is achieved at the specific neural pathway level without affecting motor functions controlled by other spinal segments, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective pain inhibition and avoidance of motor stimulation
2Reliability
If complex lead placement and parameter adjustment processes are used, then pain relief can be achieved, but the implantation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The high frequency stimulation parameters (1.5 kHz to 100 kHz) are inherently more effective at inhibiting pain transmission, allowing for simpler lead placement without requiring precise optimization of multiple parameters. The frequency parameter itself provides the therapeutic effect, reducing the need for complex parameter adjustment procedures during implantation and follow-up visits
Solution Approach 2:
The high frequency stimulation system provides pain relief that is less sensitive to lead location variations, allowing the system to maintain effectiveness across a broader range of implantation positions. This self-adjusting characteristic reduces the need for complex post-implantation parameter adjustments and follow-up procedures, simplifying the overall implantation process while maintaining pain relief effectiveness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high frequency spinal cord modulation is used, then pain reduction is achieved with minimal side effects, but the system requires specialized high frequency signal generation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes high frequency stimulation parameters (1.5 kHz to 100 kHz) that provide superior pain relief with minimal side effects. While this requires high frequency signal generation capability, the frequency parameter itself is the primary therapeutic mechanism, and modern implantable pulse generators can be designed to generate these frequencies using standard electronic oscillation circuits, making the complexity manageable while achieving significant side effect reduction
Data Source
AI summary
Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural, cervical location to address at least one of high back pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, and leg pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.