MRI-Synchronized Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation for PSD

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for post-stroke depression (PSD) are limited in efficacy due to their focus on psychological interventions that do not account for the physiological causes and clinical differences among patients, leading to suboptimal recovery and increased risk of vascular events.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides rhythmic sensory stimulation synchronized with the MRI scanning frequency to repair neuronal functions, using multisensory stimulation to enhance attentional focus and neuronal repair, potentially combined with pharmacological and behavioral therapies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmacological and psychotherapy approaches are used to treat PSD, then depression symptoms may be addressed, but treatment efficacy is limited due to not accounting for physiological causes and clinical differences among patients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidpersonalization to clinical differences
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring stimulation parameters (frequency, intensity, duration) to specific brain regions affected by stroke and individual patient characteristics. Different stimulation protocols are applied to different cortical areas based on the patient's specific clinical presentation and neurological deficits, enabling personalized treatment that addresses both physiological causes and clinical differences among patients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring patient response to stimulation and adjusting parameters in real-time. The treatment protocol evolves based on clinical feedback and measured outcomes, allowing the therapy to adapt to individual patient responses and optimize efficacy for each patient's unique physiological profile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If rhythmic sensory stimulation is synchronized with MRI scanning, then neuronal repair can be enhanced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneuronal repair efficacyVSAvoidsynchronization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where MRI scanning data is used to monitor brain activity and neuronal response to stimulation in real-time. This feedback information is fed back to the stimulation control system to dynamically adjust stimulation parameters, optimizing neuronal repair efficacy while using the MRI system's existing synchronization capabilities to manage system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating multiple therapeutic modalities (rhythmic sensory stimulation, MRI scanning, real-time monitoring) into a single unified platform. The MRI scanner serves dual purposes: both diagnostic imaging and providing timing synchronization signals for the stimulation protocol, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enhancing neuronal repair efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances neuronal repair and improves functional recovery by synchronizing rhythmic sensory stimulation with MRI scanning, providing immersive multisensory therapy that adjusts based on brain activity feedback to optimize treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

the rhythmic stimulation signal is controlled to be synchronized with a scanning frequency of the MRI scanner performing the MRI scan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSynchronization: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4351709B1System for providing stimulation
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4351709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4351709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4351709B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

:A system and method for controlling rhythmic sensory stimulation provided to a subject with post-stroke depression, PSD, during an MRI scan. A control unit is configured to control a rhythmic sensory stimulation signal such that the signal is rhythmically synchronous to a scanning rhythm of an MRI scanner performing the MRI scan.