Mobility Metric Control for Remote Neuromodulation Pain Therapy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pain management systems for chronic pain patients lack effective remote monitoring and adjustment of neuromodulation therapy, leading to delayed clinical evaluations and suboptimal therapy adjustments due to geographic barriers and subjective pain assessments.
Innovation Solution
A patient monitoring system that includes a sensor circuit to sense physiological or functional signals, a controller circuit to generate mobility metrics, and an electrostimulator to deliver neuromodulation therapy, allowing for remote monitoring and adjustment based on mobility metrics and personalized goals, integrating implantable, wearable, and external devices for continuous assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional pain management systems are used, then subjective pain assessments are obtained, but remote monitoring and therapy adjustment are delayed due to geographic barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person clinical visits with a wireless electronic monitoring system. Sensors continuously collect mobility data and transmit it wirelessly to remote systems, eliminating the need for physical travel and enabling real-time remote assessment of pain therapy effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated mobility monitoring and threshold-based alert generation. The sensors and processing systems automatically track mobility metrics, compare them against personalized thresholds, and trigger notifications without requiring continuous clinical intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in monitoring and initial assessment.
2Measurement precision
If subjective pain assessments are used, then patient self-reporting is obtained, but therapy adjustment precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary objective measurement system using sensors to capture mobility data. This intermediary system translates physical mobility into quantifiable metrics that serve as an objective mediator between the patient's actual physiological state and the clinical assessment, reducing reliance on subjective self-reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the subjective mechanical process of patient self-reporting with an objective electronic sensing and data processing system. Sensors continuously measure mobility parameters and the system processes this data to generate precise, objective assessments of pain therapy effectiveness.
3Productivity
If continuous mobility monitoring is implemented, then real-time therapy adjustment is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single integrated system that performs multiple functions: mobility sensing, data processing, threshold comparison, alert generation, and therapy adjustment coordination. This universal system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into one cohesive platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges sensing components, processing units, communication modules, and control functions into an integrated monitoring and adjustment system. By combining these previously separate functions into a unified system, the patent reduces overall complexity while maintaining continuous monitoring and real-time adjustment capabilities.
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
Enables continuous, remote monitoring and adjustment of neuromodulation therapy, improving therapeutic efficacy, reducing side effects, and enhancing patient satisfaction by correlating mobility metrics with quality of life scores for comprehensive pain management.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor circuit to sense a physiological or functional signal
Implementation Method 2
an electrostimulator to generate and deliver neuromodulation therapy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This document discusses systems, devices, and methods for monitoring and managing patients with chronic pain. A patient monitoring system comprises a sensor circuit to sense a physiological or functional signal indicative of or correlated to patient mobility, an electrostimulator to generate and deliver neuromodulation therapy to the patient, and a controller circuit to generate a mobility metric using the sensed physiological or functional signal. The mobility metric represents respective times spent in different activity intensity levels associated with one or more types of activities during a specific time period. The controller circuit can trend the mobility metric over time and determine a progress toward a personalized mobility goal of the patient, and control the electrostimulator to initiate or adjust the neuromodulation therapy in accordance with the trended mobility metric or the determined progress toward the mobility goal.