Nerve Stimulation Electrode Positioning With Response Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pain therapy devices using electrical nerve stimulation struggle with maintaining optimal electrode positioning due to patient movements, leading to inconsistent stimulation energy delivery, as the electrode's distance from the nerve changes, affecting therapeutic efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with dual signal generation capability, comprising an electrode that delivers both an electrical stimulation signal to inhibit nerve excitation and a control signal to trigger a motor or sensory response, allowing adjustment based on the intensity of the response to maintain optimal electrode positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrode is positioned close to the nerve to increase stimulation energy, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but the risk of excessive stimulation and undesirable physiological responses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a feedback mechanism where the control signal triggers motor or sensory responses that provide information about electrode positioning. The intensity of these responses feeds back to the operator, allowing adjustment of electrode position or stimulation parameters to achieve optimal therapeutic effect while avoiding excessive stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes stimulation parameters (amplitude, pulse width, frequency) based on the intensity of motor/sensory responses. By adjusting these parameters in response to observed responses, the device maintains effective pain relief while preventing excessive stimulation and undesirable physiological effects.
2Reliability
If the electrode position is adjusted to maintain optimal stimulation energy, then the therapeutic effect is maintained, but the complexity of the device increases due to dual signal generation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode serves multiple functions: it delivers both the therapeutic stimulation signal for pain relief and the control signal for positioning feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable stimulation energy delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the stimulation and control functions into a single integrated system. The signal generator produces both stimulation and control signals, and the same electrode delivers both signals, combining multiple functions into unified components to manage complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the control signal intensity is increased to improve positioning accuracy, then the positioning precision is improved, but the risk of triggering excessive motor responses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control signal parameters are dynamically adjusted based on the observed motor or sensory responses. The system adapts the signal intensity in real-time to achieve accurate positioning information while preventing excessive motor responses, making the control mechanism flexible and responsive to actual physiological conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies control signal parameters (amplitude, pulse width) based on the intensity of motor/sensory responses to achieve optimal positioning accuracy without causing excessive motor responses.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the stimulation signal parameters are adjusted to reduce undesirable responses, then the safety is improved, but the therapeutic effect may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses feedback from motor and sensory responses to adjust stimulation parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain effective pain relief by optimizing stimulation parameters while minimizing undesirable physiological responses through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
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
Enables precise adjustment of electrode position and stimulation intensity, optimizing pain management by minimizing undesirable physiological responses and ensuring consistent therapeutic effect.
Implementation Method 1
an invasive component with at least one electrode (4) designed for positioning on a nerve and for emitting an electrical stimulation signal
Implementation Method 2
the control signal is configured to generate a motor and/or sensory response, the intensity of which depends on the distance between the electrode and the nerve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
2.1 A medical device comprising an invasive component with at least one electrode configured for positioning on a nerve and for delivering an electrical stimulation signal, and a signal generator connected to the electrode and configured to generate the stimulation signal, wherein the stimulation signal is configured to inhibit nerve impulse transmission, is known. 2.2 According to the invention, the at least one electrode is configured to deliver an electrical control signal, and the signal generator is configured to generate the control signal, wherein the control signal is configured to trigger a motor and/or sensory response, the intensity of which depends on the distance between the electrode and the nerve. 2.3 Use in pain therapy by means of neurostimulation