Interferential Brain Stimulation via Frequency Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for brain stimulation, such as deep brain stimulation, are invasive and lack non-invasive alternatives for precisely targeting arbitrary regions of biological tissue, including deep brain structures, which limits their applicability and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of interferential stimulation techniques involving a combination of two alternating electric fields with varying frequencies to create a pulsed interferential stimulation signal, allowing for precise modulation of brain tissue activity without direct activation of overlying tissue, using a controller to adjust frequencies and amplitudes to achieve focal stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deep brain stimulation is used to treat brain disorders, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but the method is invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive electrode implantation system with a non-invasive electrical field stimulation system. Multiple external electrodes generate electrical fields that penetrate the skull to stimulate deep brain structures without physical intrusion, thereby maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while eliminating invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical fields as an intermediary medium to transmit stimulation energy from external electrodes to deep brain structures. The electrical fields act as carriers that can penetrate biological tissue without requiring direct physical contact or implantation, enabling non-invasive deep brain stimulation.
2Measurement precision
If interferential stimulation is used to target deep brain structures, then precision is improved, but frequency control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of electrical field frequencies to achieve precise spatial targeting. By modulating the frequencies of multiple electrical fields in a periodic manner, the system creates interference patterns that can be precisely controlled to target specific deep brain structures while simplifying the control mechanism through rhythmic, predictable frequency variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in frequency parameters of electrical fields to control the spatial distribution of stimulation. By varying the frequencies of multiple electrical fields and their interference patterns, the system achieves precise targeting of different brain regions through parameter modulation rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
3Reliability
If high frequency electrical fields are applied to stimulate deep brain structures, then stimulation effectiveness is improved, but unwanted activation of overlying tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized regions of constructive interference where multiple electrical fields combine to produce high-amplitude stimulation exactly at the target deep brain structure. The interference pattern ensures that high frequencies and amplitudes are concentrated only at the focal point, while surrounding and overlying tissues experience lower combined field strengths, thereby reducing unwanted activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-electrode stimulation to a multi-electrode system creating three-dimensional interference patterns. By utilizing multiple spatial dimensions and the superposition of electrical fields from different directions, the system achieves focal stimulation at depth while the interference destructively cancels out field strengths in non-target regions, including overlying tissue.
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 enables non-invasive, precise stimulation of deep brain structures with reduced unwanted activation, improving the efficiency and localization of neural firing and modulating activity, applicable to various types of excitable cells and tissues.
Implementation Method 1
Electrodes positioned around the tissue produce a number of time-varying electric fields which interfere with each other (e.g. by superposition) to produce a combined time-varying electric field in a region in which the electric fields overlap
Implementation Method 2
Some cells in biological tissue have the ability to be electrically excited, by the application of electric field, to cause the cell to generate action potentials
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for providing electrostimulation of a biological tissue, the apparatus comprising: a first electrical signal provider for providing a first alternating electric field in the biological tissue, the first alternating electric field having a first frequency; a second electrical signal provider for providing a second alternating electric field in the biological tissue the second alternating electric field having a second frequency; wherein the first alternating electric field and the second alternating electric field provide a combined field in the biological tissue, and the apparatus comprises a controller configured to provide variations of at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency so that the combined field provides a pulsed interferential stimulation signal.