Hyperpolarizing Neurostimulation Waveform to Avoid Action Potentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neurostimulation systems often evoke compound action potentials (ECAPs) in neural tissue, which can lead to discomfort and inefficiencies in treatment efficacy, while direct hyperpolarization using direct current (DC) stimulation poses safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A novel inhibiting waveform comprising sub-threshold anodic pulses with increasing amplitude and pulse width, followed by a cathodic discharge phase, is applied to neural tissue to maintain hyperpolarization and inhibit neural activity without generating action potentials, using implantable pulse generators (IPGs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct current (DC) stimulation is used to hyperpolarize neurons, then neural activity inhibition is achieved, but safety concerns arise due to potential tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed stimulation instead of continuous DC stimulation. The waveform delivers controlled pulses with specific amplitude, width, and inter-pulse intervals that achieve hyperpolarization while allowing tissue recovery between pulses, thereby maintaining safety while achieving neural inhibition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies stimulation parameters by using sub-threshold anodic pulses with specific charge limits and inter-pulse intervals. By carefully controlling pulse amplitude, width, and timing parameters, the system achieves hyperpolarization without exceeding safety thresholds that could cause tissue damage
2Reliability
If conventional neurostimulation waveforms are applied, then neural tissue stimulation occurs, but compound action potentials (ECAPs) are evoked leading to discomfort and reduced treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using anodic (positive) pulses instead of conventional cathodic (negative) pulses. This reversal of polarity enables hyperpolarization of neurons without evoking action potentials, thereby eliminating discomfort and improving treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sub-threshold pulses that deliberately remain below the threshold required to evoke action potentials. By applying partial stimulation that accumulates hyperpolarizing effect without triggering ECAPs, the system achieves neural inhibition without discomfort
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 effectively suppresses neuronal excitability, mitigating pain by directly hyperpolarizing neurons and preventing action potential generation, thus providing a safer and more effective neurostimulation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
Neural activity can be influenced by electrical energy that is supplied from a stimulation system pulse generator or other waveform generator
Implementation Method 2
maintain hyperpolarization and inhibit neural activity without generating action potentials
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method of providing a neurostimulation therapy to a patient, comprises: generating electrical pulses, by an implantable pulse generator (IPG), comprising respective bursts of a plurality of anodic pulses with each anodic pulse being separated by a time gap, wherein (1) the plurality of anodic pulses comprise successively increasing charge; (2) the plurality of anodic pulses are charge limited to be sub-threshold; (3) each burst of anodic pulses is followed by a discharge phase of intermittent time periods to discharge charge build up from the anodic pulses; and (4) each successive intermittent time period increases in time through the discharge phase to avoid action potential (AP) generation; and applying the generated electrical pulses to neural tissue of the patient to inhibit neural activity of the patient.