Multi-electrode Neurostimulation for Reduced Energy Consumption

Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices face challenges with high energy consumption, large device size, frequent recharging needs, and reduced service life due to inefficient energy use and parasitic charge balancing, leading to increased patient burden and reduced pain relief efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A neurostimulation device using multiple electrodes to deliver therapeutic electric phases followed by charge-balancing phases of opposite polarity, allowing simultaneous and distributed current return, reducing energy requirements and device size while maintaining effective pain relief.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-frequency spinal cord stimulation is used to achieve paresthesia-free pain relief, then pain relief efficacy is improved, but energy consumption increases and device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief efficacyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation waveform is segmented into multiple phases (first therapeutic phase, first charge-balancing phase, second therapeutic phase, second charge-balancing phase) delivered across multiple electrodes. This segmentation allows for distributed current return paths and more efficient charge balancing, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high-frequency pain relief efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines therapeutic stimulation and charge-balancing functions into a single integrated waveform sequence delivered through the same electrode array. By merging these functions and using distributed current return through multiple electrodes, the system reduces parasitic capacitance effects and energy loss compared to traditional separate balancing approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If high-frequency spinal cord stimulation is used to achieve paresthesia-free pain relief, then pain relief efficacy is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief efficacyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation waveform is segmented into multiple phases (first therapeutic phase, first charge-balancing phase, second therapeutic phase, second charge-balancing phase) delivered across multiple electrodes. This segmentation allows for distributed current return paths and more efficient charge balancing, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high-frequency pain relief efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines therapeutic stimulation and charge-balancing functions into a single integrated waveform sequence delivered through the same electrode array. By merging these functions and using distributed current return through multiple electrodes, the system reduces parasitic capacitance effects and energy loss compared to traditional separate balancing approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional charge balancing is used in high-frequency stimulation, then charge neutrality is maintained, but energy is wasted through parasitic capacitive charge and discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge neutralityVSAvoidparasitic energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation waveform is segmented into multiple phases (first therapeutic phase, first charge-balancing phase, second therapeutic phase, second charge-balancing phase) delivered across multiple electrodes. This segmentation allows for distributed current return paths and more efficient charge balancing, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high-frequency pain relief efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate charge-balancing phases between therapeutic phases, acting as mediators that gradually return charge to neutrality rather than through direct parasitic discharge paths. This intermediary approach reduces energy loss by using controlled current return through tissue and electrode interfaces rather than through parasitic capacitance

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 solution provides efficient paresthesia-free pain relief with lower energy consumption, reducing device recharging burden and size, while maintaining or improving pain therapy efficacy by optimizing neuron membrane dynamics and reducing transmembrane potential influence.

Implementation Method 1

parasitic charge balancing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

current return

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

electrical fields generated by SCS leads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 4

excite action potentials in axially-oriented dorsal column axons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAction potential:

Data Source

PatentUS12144980B2Multi-electrode stimulation therapy with reduced energy

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG

AI summary

A device for neurostimulation has a number N of electrodes. N is equal to or larger than 3. The device is configured to deliver via each electrode therapeutic electric phases of amplitudes I1, I2, . . . IN, with a frequency f and after each therapeutic electric phase a number of N−1 charge balancing electric phases. The charge balancing electric phases of the respective electrode each have a polarity that is opposite the polarity of the preceding therapeutic electric phase of the respective electrode. The device is configured to return for each electrode the current of each therapeutic electric phase in the other N−1 electrodes.