Nasal Neuromodulation System with Micro-Electrode Array
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for treating rhinosinusitis cannot precisely target neural tissue in the nasal region, leading to significant collateral damage to surrounding non-neural tissue, such as blood vessels, during procedures like thermal energy delivery or microdebrider resection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a treatment device with a micro-electrode array and a controller that senses the presence and depth of neural tissue within the nasal anatomy, allowing for precise targeting and minimization of collateral damage by tuning micro-lesion depths and independently controlling energy delivery to individual electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal energy delivery or microdebrider resection is used to treat rhinosinusitis, then nasal airflow is improved, but collateral damage to surrounding non-neural tissue such as blood vessels occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment device divides the nasal cavity into multiple discrete treatment zones using an array of individually controllable electrodes. Each electrode targets a specific neural structure at a precise location, allowing selective modulation of neural tissue while leaving surrounding non-neural tissue unaffected. This segmentation enables targeted therapy without the broad collateral damage caused by conventional thermal energy delivery or microdebrider resection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different treatment parameters to different locations within the nasal cavity based on local anatomical characteristics. Each electrode can be independently controlled to deliver energy at the optimal depth and intensity for its specific target site, accommodating variations in neural tissue depth (which can vary up to 6 times depending on location) while minimizing damage to adjacent structures such as blood vessels.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surgical procedures are used to treat rhinitis, then congestion is addressed, but precise targeting of neural tissue is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that monitor the depth and location of neural tissue before and during energy delivery. This feedback allows the control system to adjust treatment parameters dynamically, ensuring precise targeting of neural structures while avoiding non-neural tissue. The ability to measure and respond to tissue characteristics in real-time transforms conventional open surgical procedures into a precisely controlled, minimally invasive treatment.
3Reliability
If energy delivery is increased to ensure adequate treatment of neural tissue, then treatment efficacy is improved, but damage to surrounding structures such as arteries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers energy in controlled, partial increments through individually addressable electrodes rather than applying excessive energy broadly. Each electrode can be activated independently at the minimum effective energy level required for its specific target, avoiding the need to over-treat to ensure efficacy. This partial action approach maintains treatment reliability while minimizing collateral damage to surrounding structures such as arteries and arterial walls.
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 system enables precise and targeted modulation of neural tissue in the nasal region, minimizing damage to surrounding non-neural tissue, thereby effectively treating rhinosinusitis while reducing the risk of complications.
Implementation Method 1
a subset of the plurality of electrodes are configured to sense a presence and a depth of the neural tissue at a respective position of each of the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
The controller is further configured to process the data to determine a level of energy to be delivered by each of the plurality of electrodes such that the energy delivered at each position by each of the plurality of electrodes is sufficient to ablate the neural tissue
Implementation Method 3
the energy delivered at each position by each of the plurality of electrodes is sufficient to ablate the neural tissue at each position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention provides systems and methods providing precision targeting of neural structures for the treatment of a condition while avoiding collateral damage to surrounding structures, such as blood vessels and/or other nerve tissue. The invention further provides systems and methods for treating at least one of rhinitis, congestion, and/or rhinorrhea via thrombus formation. The invention further provides systems and methods for detection, identification, and precision targeting of neural tissue for the treatment of a neurological condition while minimizing or avoiding collateral damage to surrounding or adjacent non-neural tissue, such as blood vessels and bone, as well as non-targeted neural tissue.