Iontophoretic Disc Treatment via Electroosmotic Fluid Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intervertebral disc degeneration due to loss of water content in the nucleus pulposus leads to decreased disc height and abnormal loading on spinal structures, causing pain and degeneration, which existing therapeutic electrical stimulation techniques have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising two electrodes, one inserted into the nucleus pulposus and the other placed outside, with a control unit driving current to electroosmotically manage fluid levels, either increasing fluid for disc health or decreasing it to reduce pressure, and optionally iontophoretically delivering substances for pain relief or cell therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing therapeutic electrical stimulation techniques are used, then some form of electrical stimulation is provided, but they fail to effectively address disc degeneration caused by water loss in the nucleus pulposus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in treating disc degenerationVSAvoidability to manage fluid levels in nucleus pulposus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electroosmosis and iontophoresis - electrical phenomena that were not previously used for disc treatment - to change the physical-chemical parameters of the nucleus pulposus. By applying electrical current, the system changes fluid distribution (electroosmosis) and enables drug delivery (iontophoresis), directly addressing the water loss problem that causes disc degeneration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical or thermal electrical stimulation methods with electroosmotic and iontophoretic mechanisms. Instead of using mechanical compression or thermal effects, the system uses electrical fields to drive fluid movement and drug delivery through the disc tissue, providing a non-invasive method to restore disc hydration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If fluid is increased in the nucleus pulposus to treat disc degeneration, then disc height and hydration are improved, but intradisc pressure increases causing pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid content in nucleus pulposusVSAvoidintradisc pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electroosmosis locally to specific regions of the nucleus pulposus through electrode placement. By controlling electrode position and electrical parameters, fluid can be delivered to specific areas that need hydration without uniformly increasing pressure throughout the entire disc, allowing selective restoration of disc height in degenerated regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If electrodes are inserted into the nucleus pulposus for direct treatment, then fluid management effectiveness is improved, but procedural complexity and risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid management effectivenessVSAvoidelectrode insertion procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs electrodes that serve multiple functions: they deliver electrical current for electroosmosis, provide iontophoretic drug delivery, and can be positioned to treat different regions of the disc. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices or procedures, simplifying the overall treatment approach while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the electrical field as an intermediary mechanism to achieve fluid management without direct mechanical manipulation of the nucleus pulposus. The electrical field mediates the movement of fluid and drugs through the disc tissue, reducing the need for complex mechanical insertion and manipulation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively treats or prevents disc degeneration by managing fluid levels and delivering therapeutic agents, reducing pain and promoting disc health through electroosmotic fluid management and iontophoretic substance delivery.

Implementation Method 1

A control unit drives a current between the electrodes, and configures the current to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroosmosis: Electro-Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

the control unit configures the current to iontophoretically drive a substance contained in the reservoir into the disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIontophoresis: Iontophoresis

Data Source

PatentUS8676348B2Iontophoretic and electroosmotic disc treatment

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 DISCURE TECH LTD

AI summary

Apparatus for treating a body of a subject is provided. The apparatus includes (1) a first electrode, configured to be placed at a first site in the body of the subject, (2) a second electrode, configured to be placed at a second site in the body of the subject, (3) a pressure sensor, configured to detect a pressure at at least the first site, and (4) a control unit, configured to, at least in part responsively to the detected pressure, induce electroosmotic movement of a fluid between the first and second sites, by driving a current between the first and second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.