Multiple-Lead Implantable Systems for Stable Cranial Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neuromodulation therapies face challenges in providing minimally invasive treatments that effectively stimulate multiple cranial nerve targets in the cervical region while resisting migration or dislocation, particularly in motion-prone areas like the neck, and require coordinated neuromodulation for disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions.
Innovation Solution
A neuromodulation system is implanted in the anterior cervical region, with multiple electrode leads extending to interface with various cranial nerves, utilizing wireless communication and physiologic sensing to deliver coordinated stimulation therapy, and is anchored to stabilize the device, allowing for flexible implantation across different cervical locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single housing is implanted in the cervical region, then the device structure is simple, but the device may migrate or dislocate in motion-prone areas
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device is divided into multiple separate housings (first housing and second housing) that can be implanted at different cervical locations. This segmentation allows each housing to be smaller and easier to implant while collectively providing stable multi-point anchoring to prevent migration, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and stability.
2Reliability
If multiple electrode leads are used to stimulate multiple cranial nerve targets, then the therapeutic efficacy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple separate electrode leads (first electrode lead and second electrode lead) that can be independently directed to different cranial nerve targets. This allows coordinated neuromodulation of multiple nerves (e.g., hypoglossal and vagus nerves) to treat complex disorders like sleep apnea, improving therapeutic efficacy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular lead design.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device housing is designed to provide multiple functions: it can generate electrostimulation signals, house battery power, and support multiple electrode leads for different nerve targets. This multi-functionality allows a single device to deliver coordinated therapy to multiple cranial nerves, improving efficacy without requiring multiple separate devices.
3Reliability
If the device is anchored to prevent migration, then the device stability is improved, but the ease of implantation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple housings that can be implanted at different cervical locations. This segmentation allows each housing to be anchored independently to surrounding tissue at its implantation site, providing stable multi-point fixation that prevents migration while allowing flexible surgical placement without requiring complex integrated anchoring mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.