Multi-Contact Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode for Cervical Dystonia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for cervical dystonia, including deep brain stimulation, are often ineffective in alleviating motor and non-motor symptoms, with up to 35% of patients not responding and limited efficacy even in responders, and existing methods are invasive and require multiple insertion points for electrode leads.
Innovation Solution
A deep brain stimulation method targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and either the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) or ventralis oralis posterior thalamus (VOP), or both, using a single electrode lead with multiple contacts to provide simultaneous electrical stimulation, reducing the need for multiple insertion points and allowing for efficient treatment of cervical dystonia symptoms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single electrode lead with multiple contacts is used to stimulate multiple targets, then the number of insertion points is reduced and treatment efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode lead is divided into multiple independent contacts along its length, each capable of being independently activated. This segmentation allows a single lead to function as multiple separate electrodes, enabling stimulation of multiple brain targets without requiring multiple insertion points, thus improving productivity while managing device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The single electrode lead is designed to perform multiple functions by stimulating different brain nuclei (STN, VIM, VOP) through its multiple contacts. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate electrode leads for each target, reducing the number of surgical insertion points required and improving treatment efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If deep brain stimulation targets GPi, then treatment coverage is provided, but efficacy is limited and up to 35% of patients show no response
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges stimulation of multiple brain targets (STN, VIM, and/or VOP) into a single integrated treatment approach using one electrode lead. This combined multi-target stimulation strategy addresses the limitations of single-target GPi stimulation by simultaneously engaging multiple neural circuits, thereby improving treatment efficacy and reliability while maintaining broad adaptability across different patient presentations
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment approach uses a composite stimulation strategy targeting multiple nuclei types (subthalamic nucleus, ventral intermediate nucleus, ventralis oralis posterior thalamus) rather than relying on a single target. This composite multi-target approach combines the therapeutic effects of stimulating different brain regions known to be involved in cervical dystonia pathophysiology, improving overall treatment reliability
3Reliability
If multiple electrode leads are inserted to target different nuclei, then comprehensive stimulation is achieved, but the number of insertion points increases and the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode lead is divided into multiple independent contacts along its length, each capable of being independently activated. This segmentation allows a single lead to function as multiple separate electrodes, enabling stimulation of multiple brain targets without requiring multiple insertion points, thus improving productivity while managing device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The single electrode lead is designed to perform multiple functions by stimulating different brain nuclei (STN, VIM, VOP) through its multiple contacts. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate electrode leads for each target, reducing the number of surgical insertion points required and improving treatment efficiency
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 method provides rapid and significant relief for motor and non-motor symptoms of cervical dystonia, including tonic and tremor symptoms, with improved patient outcomes and reduced side effects, as demonstrated by the example study showing substantial improvements in TWSTRS-2 severity scores, pain, sleep, and psychiatric symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
a deep brain stimulation method for use in the treatment of cervical dystonia, comprises inserting a stimulation device into the brain of a patient, the stimulation device being configured to provide electrical stimulation to affect first and second stimulation targets within the brain
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure concerns a method for the treatment of cervical dystonia, comprising inserting a stimulation device into the brain of a patient, the stimulation device being configured to provide electrical stimulation to affect first and second stimulation targets within the brain. The first stimulation target is the subthalamic nucleus (STN); and the second stimulation target is the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM), or the ventralis oralis posterior thalamus (VOP), or both the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) and the ventralis oralis posterior thalamus (VOP).