Subcutaneous Microstimulator Anchoring for Sleep Breathing Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea, often require invasive surgical procedures and bulky implantable devices that complicate MRI compatibility and patient comfort, and may not securely anchor within the body.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive, subcutaneous microstimulation therapy device is implanted near the target nerve, using a small housing and electrodes to stimulate nerves, with power and communication elements designed for minimal invasiveness and secure fixation, and energy harvesting to reduce the need for external charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional implantable devices are used for sleep disordered breathing treatment, then nerve stimulation function is achieved, but device bulk and surgical invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate components: a microstimulator (small stimulation device) and a separate anchor mechanism. This segmentation allows the stimulator to be minimally invasive while the anchor provides secure fixation, resolving the contradiction between small size and secure anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate anchor mechanism acts as an intermediary between the microstimulator and the surrounding tissue. The anchor provides the secure fixation function that would otherwise require a larger device body, allowing the microstimulator to remain small and minimally invasive.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional implantable devices are used, then treatment function is provided, but MRI compatibility becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes ferromagnetic materials and complex power management components that complicate MRI compatibility. The microstimulator is designed with MRI-safe materials and a simplified architecture that eliminates sources of MRI interference, making the device adaptable to MRI environments.
3Ease of manufacture
If minimally invasive implantation is used, then patient comfort and surgical simplicity improve, but secure anchoring within the body becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the microstimulator from the anchor mechanism, the patent enables minimally invasive implantation of the small stimulator while the anchor is positioned separately to provide secure fixation. This resolves the contradiction between ease of implantation and stable positioning.
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 solution provides a more comfortable, secure, and MRI-compatible treatment for sleep disordered breathing by minimizing surgical invasiveness, reducing device bulk, and enhancing patient eligibility for MR scans while ensuring effective nerve stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
a power element, the power element including an implantable, rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
an energy harvesting element, the energy harvesting element including a piezoelectric capacitor
Data Source
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Figure 6C
AI summary
An apparatus includes an implantable stimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and at least one electrode associated with the stimulator.