High-Frequency Spinal Cord Neurostimulation for Neuropathy Sensory Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for peripheral neuropathy, such as medication and physical therapy, often fail to effectively address sensory deficits and pain, especially when the underlying cause is unknown or untreated.
Innovation Solution
The use of high-frequency electrical stimulation, specifically in the range of 200 Hz to 100 kHz, delivered to the spinal cord via implantable signal delivery devices, to restore somatosensory function and alleviate pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments (medication, physical therapy, injection therapy) are used to treat peripheral neuropathy, then the underlying cause may be addressed, but sensory deficits and pain are not effectively relieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-frequency electrical stimulation (200 Hz to 100 kHz) to the spinal cord, representing a significant parameter change from conventional low-frequency or non-electrical treatments. This high-frequency parameter effectively addresses sensory deficits and pain in peripheral neuropathy cases where conventional treatments fail, particularly when the underlying cause is unknown or untreated.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If surface electrical stimulation is applied to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, then pain may be alleviated, but sensory loss restoration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the spinal cord as an intermediary target for electrical stimulation, rather than directly stimulating peripheral nerves or muscles. By delivering high-frequency electrical signals to the spinal cord, the treatment effectively modulates sensory processing and restores somatosensory function, providing both pain relief and sensory restoration that surface stimulation cannot achieve.
3Reliability
If implantable signal delivery devices are used to deliver high-frequency electrical stimulation to the spinal cord, then sensory function is restored and pain is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable signal delivery device is designed to deliver high-frequency electrical stimulation across a broad frequency range (200 Hz to 100 kHz), making it a universal treatment platform that can address multiple aspects of peripheral neuropathy including sensory deficits, pain, and motor function. This multi-functional capability reduces the need for multiple separate devices or treatment modalities.
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 has shown significant clinical efficacy in restoring sensory loss, reducing pain, and improving motor function in patients with peripheral neuropathy, as demonstrated by clinical data and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
delivering an electrical signal, having a frequency of from 200 Hz to 100 kHz, to the spinal cord
Data Source
AI summary
Stimulation for treating sensory deficits in patients with spinal cord injuries and/or peripheral polyneuropathy, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes addressing the patient's somatosensory dysfunction, resulting from neuropathy and/or spinal cord injury, by directing an electrical therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, the therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range from 200 Hz to 100 KHz.