Multi-site Thalamus Stimulation for Cognitive Impairment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic options are inadequate for managing chronic cognitive impairment resulting from severe brain injuries, particularly in areas like executive function, due to a lack of effective methods for controlling and selecting stimulation sites within the central thalamus.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of two stimulators implanted in the central thalamus, with a stimulus signal generator providing separate signals to control thalamic projecting fibers, optimizing intrathalamic and thalamocortical activation to modulate cognitive functions and behavioral responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single stimulator is used in the central thalamus, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of controlling and selecting stimulation sites is insufficient to address multi-focal structural injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thalamic stimulation into multiple independent stimulators (first stimulator and second stimulator) positioned at different sites within the central thalamus. Each stimulator can be independently controlled by separate stimulus signals from the stimulus signal generator, enabling precise targeting of multiple focal injury sites simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to address multi-focal structural injuries with greater precision than a single stimulator could achieve.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stimulators are implanted in the central thalamus, then the ability to address multi-focal structural injuries is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulus signal generator serves as a universal control unit that can provide separate stimulus signals to multiple stimulators (first stimulator and second stimulator) through a multiplexer. This multi-functional design allows a single generator to control multiple stimulation sites, enabling the system to adapt to various injury patterns and stimulation requirements without requiring separate control devices for each stimulator, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multiplexer to pre-configure the connection between the stimulus signal generator and multiple stimulators. This preliminary setup allows the system to rapidly switch between different stimulation sites and configurations without requiring physical reconfiguration during operation. The multiplexer pre-establishes the pathways for signal distribution, enabling flexible adaptation to different multi-focal injury patterns while maintaining a manageable device architecture.
3Reliability
If separate stimulus signals are provided to multiple stimulators, then the optimization of intrathalamic and thalamocortical activation is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplexer acts as an intermediary device between the stimulus signal generator and multiple stimulators. It receives a single control signal from the generator and distributes separate stimulus signals to the first and second stimulators according to pre-configured pathways. This intermediary component simplifies the control system architecture by centralizing the signal distribution function, allowing independent optimization of activation at each stimulator site without requiring complex direct control connections from the generator to each stimulator.
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
This approach improves cognitive function and behavioral responsiveness in brain-injured subjects, treating conditions such as epilepsy, movement disorders, and neuropsychiatric illnesses by customizing stimulation to address structural brain injury patterns and normalize neuronal activity.
Implementation Method 1
A stimulus signal generator is provided which is coupled to the first and second stimulators. Separate stimulus signals are provided from the stimulus signal generator to the first and second stimulators causing current to pass between the first and second stimulators.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method to control a thalamic projecting fiber in a subject. This method involves providing a subject having a first stimulator and a second stimulator implanted in the subject's central thalamus. A stimulus signal generator is provided which is coupled to the first and second stimulators. Separate stimulus signals are provided from the stimulus signal generator to the first and second stimulators under conditions effective to control the thalamic projecting fiber in the subject. Also disclosed is an apparatus for deep brain stimulation.