Magnetic Auricular Neurostimulation System for Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcutaneous auricular nerve stimulation devices face challenges such as electrode attachment security, comfort, and consistency in maintaining contact with the auricular nerve field, leading to suboptimal therapeutic effectiveness and user compliance due to issues like skin burns, pain, and signal scatter.
Innovation Solution
A modular neurostimulation system with magnetic coupling and energy emitter modules for auricular nerve field stimulation, utilizing electrodes, optical emitters, and vibrational energy, which are securely anchored behind the ear, reducing the weight on the ear and minimizing discomfort, and employing biofeedback for optimized stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrode attachment methods (adhesives, clips, pins) are used to maintain contact with the auricular nerve field, then attachment security is improved, but skin burns, pain, and tissue damage occur due to excessive pressure and poor signal conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical attachment systems (adhesives, clips, pins) with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic coupler uses magnetic attraction forces to secure the electrode to the auricular nerve field without applying excessive mechanical pressure, thereby maintaining reliable contact while avoiding skin burns and pain associated with traditional mechanical attachment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the magnetic field strength parameters to achieve the optimal balance between attachment security and tissue safety. By carefully controlling the magnetic attraction force, the system maintains sufficient electrode contact for effective nerve stimulation while preventing excessive pressure that would cause skin burns or pain.
2Reliability
If higher energy is applied to penetrate skin and achieve nerve stimulation, then stimulation effectiveness is improved, but skin burns and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system enables effective nerve stimulation at lower energy levels by ensuring consistent, secure electrode contact with the nerve field. This eliminates the need for high energy application that would otherwise be required to achieve reliable stimulation through poorly attached electrodes, thereby preventing skin burns while maintaining stimulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust stimulation energy levels in real-time, optimizing the balance between achieving effective nerve stimulation and preventing tissue damage. The magnetic coupling provides stable baseline contact that enables precise energy delivery with immediate feedback on contact quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular design with multiple energy emitter modules is implemented, then adaptability and therapeutic versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the neurostimulation device into modular components: a base unit and interchangeable energy emitter modules (electrical, optical, vibrational). Each module is designed as a self-contained unit with standardized magnetic coupling interfaces, allowing easy attachment and detachment. This segmentation enables therapeutic versatility while keeping individual module complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupler and base unit are designed as universal components that can interface with multiple types of energy emitter modules. This universal interface design allows a single base unit to support various therapeutic modalities (electrical stimulation, optical stimulation, vibrational stimulation) without requiring separate devices, thereby achieving versatility while controlling overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If magnetic coupling strength is increased to improve attachment security, then electrode stability is improved, but comfort and wearability deteriorate due to excessive pressure on the ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the magnetic field strength parameters to achieve the optimal balance between attachment security and comfort. The magnetic attraction force is carefully calibrated to provide sufficient electrode stability for effective nerve stimulation while remaining below the threshold that would cause discomfort or pressure pain on the sensitive ear tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupler is designed to distribute the magnetic attraction force across a larger surface area of the ear, concentrating the stabilizing effect where needed while minimizing pressure on sensitive areas. This local optimization of force distribution maintains electrode stability without compromising overall comfort and wearability.
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 achieves consistent and effective nerve stimulation with reduced energy requirements, minimizing skin burns and discomfort, while allowing for flexible positioning and secure attachment, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and user compliance.
Implementation Method 1
employing a magnetic coupler to securely anchor the energy emitter module to a skin surface above a target nerve
Implementation Method 2
electrical energy to nerves through the skin
Data Source
AI summary
An improved modular, multi-modal neurostimulation system, includes signal generating, conditioning, and control electronics, stimulation monitoring electronics, and wearable, magnetically coupled energy emitter modules configured for coupling energy emitters to the ear for transcutaneous energy delivery to cranial nerves neurologically accessible in the auricular nerve field. Three energy modalities are available via electrodes for electrical stimulation; optical emitters for electromagnetic stimulation; vibrational emitters for vibrational stimulation. Energy modalities are selectable singularly or in combination. Stimulation control electronics may be integrated within an ear-worn coupling body or located in an external computerized device. Integrated bodily status and biofeedback sensors work with a programmable algorithm to enable closed loop operation based on monitored biofeedback activity, bodily activity and indicia of autonomic functioning. A method for optimizing stimulation using cardiorespiratory feedback and monitoring of divisional indicia of autonomic nervous system function is discussed. Disclosed is a method for optimizing therapeutic interventions via neurostimulation and a method for self-administered neurostimulation and training users in self-administered neurostimulation. Also disclosed is a stimulation coupling apparatus comprising a contour conforming plastic composition for coupling stimulation energy emitters to the auricle of a human being.