N-let Pulses for Selective Deep Brain Stimulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) patients often experience challenges in managing symptoms like tremors and freezing of gait, as higher frequency pulses can effectively treat tremors but may worsen freezing of gait, and vice versa.

Innovation Solution

The use of neurostimulation with packets of pulses that include high and low frequency components, allowing for independent adjustment of these frequencies to tailor the treatment for specific symptoms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If higher frequency pulses are used to treat tremors, then tremor symptoms are effectively treated, but freezing of gait symptoms worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetremor treatment effectivenessVSAvoidfreezing of gait symptom exacerbation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation signal is segmented into distinct frequency components: high-frequency pulses (e.g., 130-180 Hz) within packets to treat tremors, and low-frequency packet delivery (e.g., 5-20 Hz) to address freezing of gait. This segmentation allows independent optimization of stimulation parameters for each symptom type without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic packet-based delivery where groups of high-frequency pulses are delivered in a periodic manner with adjustable inter-packet intervals. This periodic structure enables the coexistence of high-frequency tremor treatment and low-frequency gait symptom management by controlling the timing and grouping of stimulation pulses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If lower frequency pulses are used to treat freezing of gait, then gait symptoms are effectively treated, but tremor symptoms worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing of gait treatment effectivenessVSAvoidtremor symptom exacerbation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation signal is segmented into distinct frequency components: high-frequency pulses (e.g., 130-180 Hz) within packets to treat tremors, and low-frequency packet delivery (e.g., 5-20 Hz) to address freezing of gait. This segmentation allows independent optimization of stimulation parameters for each symptom type without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic packet-based delivery where groups of high-frequency pulses are delivered in a periodic manner with adjustable inter-packet intervals. This periodic structure enables the coexistence of high-frequency tremor treatment and low-frequency gait symptom management by controlling the timing and grouping of stimulation pulses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If single frequency stimulation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different symptoms decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation parameter controlVSAvoidsymptom-specific treatment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters including pulse frequency, packet frequency, and amplitude based on detected symptom type and severity. The IPG transitions between different stimulation regimens (continuous, packet-based, burst) and frequency ranges to adapt to varying clinical needs while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated or semi-automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation system is designed to provide multiple functions through a single device: it can deliver both high-frequency and low-frequency stimulation, use continuous or packet-based delivery, and target different symptoms (tremor, freezing of gait, dystonia) using the same hardware platform with reconfigurable parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250135208A1Use of N-let Pulses in a Deep Brain Stimulation System to Selectively Treat Symptoms

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

Stimulation using N-lets (e.g., doublets, triplets, etc.) in a Deep Brain Stimulation system are disclosed. Pulses are issued in packets of N-lets, resulting in a waveform with both high and low frequency aspects, which are independently adjustable to treat different symptoms. For example, adjustment of higher frequency aspects can be used to treat tremor, while adjustment of lower frequency aspects can be used to treat freezing gait. Such adjustments may be made manually via a graphical user interface, or automatically using an algorithm.