Implantable Neuromodulation System for Glucose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacological treatments for diabetes lack precision in glucose control, leading to side effects such as hypoglycemia and poor patient compliance, and do not effectively manage glycemic goals, resulting in negative health impacts and increased healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
An implantable neuromodulation system with electrodes configured to modulate nerves innervating the liver and pancreas, using modulation and sense electrodes to deliver energy and sense neural activity, allowing for tailored glycemic control through neural stimulation or blockade, thereby manipulating hepatic glucose production and pancreatic secretions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pharmacological treatment is used for diabetes, then glucose control is achieved, but precision is poor and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatment with a neuromodulation system that uses electrical stimulation to directly modulate nerve signals controlling glucose metabolism. The system employs implantable electrodes that deliver targeted neural stimulation to specific nerve pathways, substituting the indirect chemical mechanism of drugs with a direct electrical-neural mechanism, thereby achieving precise glucose control without pharmacological side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces neural modulation as an intermediary mechanism between external control and glucose regulation. Instead of drugs directly affecting glucose metabolism, the system uses modulated nerve signals as an intermediary to control hepatic glucose production and pancreatic insulin secretion, providing precise control while avoiding the harmful direct effects of pharmacological agents
2Reliability
If pharmacological treatment is used for diabetes, then glucose control is attempted, but patient compliance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The neuromodulation system operates autonomously to regulate glucose levels without requiring active patient participation in medication management. The implantable device automatically senses glucose levels and delivers appropriate neural stimulation, freeing patients from the burden of daily medication administration and improving both compliance and glycemic control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous glucose monitoring and automated neural modulation based on real-time feedback. The device receives glucose level information and automatically adjusts neural stimulation parameters to maintain target glycemic ranges, creating a closed-loop system that ensures reliable glucose control without depending on patient compliance with treatment plans
3Reliability
If pharmacological treatment is used for diabetes, then glycemic control is attempted, but health impacts are negative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pharmacological intervention with targeted neural modulation that directly influences the neural pathways controlling glucose metabolism. By stimulating specific nerve fibers that regulate hepatic glucose production and pancreatic insulin release, the system achieves effective glycemic control through physiological mechanisms rather than chemical drugs, eliminating the harmful side effects associated with pharmacological treatment while maintaining reliable glucose management
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
The system provides precise glycemic control, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and improving patient compliance by directly influencing glucose levels through targeted neural modulation, potentially minimizing side effects and lowering healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
a modulation energy generator configured to deliver modulation energy using one or more of the modulation electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a nerve traffic sensor configured to sense nerve traffic in the nerve using one or more of the sense electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include an implantable structure with a plurality of electrodes attached thereto, where the implantable structure is configured to be implanted proximate to a nerve that innervates and is proximate to an organ involved with glucose control. The system may further include a controller configured for use to control which of the plurality of electrodes are modulation electrodes and which of the plurality of electrodes are sense electrodes, a modulation energy generator configured to deliver modulation energy using one or more of the modulation electrodes, and a nerve traffic sensor configured to sense nerve traffic in the nerve using one or more of the sense electrodes. The controller may be configured to determine if the delivered modulation energy captures the nerves based on the sensed neural activity.