Selective Nerve Stimulation via Presynaptic Terminal Depletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neural stimulation therapies often indiscriminately stimulate complex nerves, leading to both desired and undesired physiological effects, particularly when targeting nerves like the cervical vagus nerve, which has different fiber types innervating various body parts, making it challenging to selectively activate fibers without causing unwanted responses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that deliver selective nerve stimulation and depletion block stimulation, using a stimulator and controller to differentiate between nerve fibers by applying nerve stimulation at frequencies between 0.25 Hz to 50 Hz and depletion block stimulation at frequencies between 100 Hz to 1 kHz, allowing for targeted activation and blockage of specific axons to avoid undesired effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If indiscriminate stimulation of complex nerves is applied, then desired therapeutic effects are achieved, but unwanted physiological side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nerve fibers into two distinct groups: a first set of axons that are stimulated to produce therapeutic effects, and a second set of axons that are blocked to prevent unwanted responses. This is achieved by delivering nerve stimulation at frequencies that capture the first set of axons while simultaneously delivering depletion block stimulation at higher frequencies that capture the second set of axons, thereby separating the desired and undesired physiological effects.
2Productivity
If nerve stimulation is delivered to activate fibers, then therapeutic effects are produced, but activation of other fiber types causes side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by delivering depletion block stimulation at high frequencies (100 Hz to 1 kHz) to block the second set of axons before they can transmit unwanted signals. This preemptive blocking occurs simultaneously with the nerve stimulation that activates the first set of axons, preventing the harmful side effects from occurring in the first place.
3Measurement precision
If high frequency stimulation is applied, then axon capture is achieved, but presynaptic terminal depletion occurs blocking communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the same nerve: the first set of axons maintains normal neurotransmitter communication capability for therapeutic effects, while the second set of axons experiences presynaptic terminal depletion that blocks communication. This is achieved by using different stimulation frequencies that differentially affect the two sets of axons, allowing simultaneous axon capture and selective communication blocking.
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 approach enables precise control over nerve fiber activation, reducing unwanted physiological responses and allowing for more targeted therapeutic effects, such as heart rate modulation without laryngeal vibration or cough, by selectively depleting presynaptic terminals to prevent neurotransmitter communication across synaptic clefts.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulator may be configured to deliver nerve stimulation to capture a first set of axons in a nerve... delivering a series of electrical pulses at a stimulation pulse frequency where the stimulation pulse frequency is between the range of about 0.25 Hz and about 50 Hz, where the delivered nerve stimulation is capable of inducing action potentials in the first set of axons
Implementation Method 2
delivering a presynaptic depletion block stimulation configured to capture a second set of axons in the nerve... delivering a series of electrical pulses at a depletion pulse frequency. The depletion pulse frequency may be within a range between about 100 Hz to about 1 kHz... block action potentials in at least some of these from being communicated across a synaptic cleft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
An example of a system may include a stimulator and at least one controller. The stimulator may be configured to deliver nerve stimulation to capture a first set of axons in a nerve and to deliver depletion block stimulation to capture a second set of axons in the nerve, where the second set is a subset of the first. The depletion block stimulation may include a series of pulses at a depletion pulse frequency within a range between about 100 Hz to about 1 kHz, and the nerve stimulation may include a series of pulses at a stimulation pulse frequency within a range of about 0.25 Hz to about 50 Hz. At least a portion of the nerve stimulation and at least a portion of the depletion block stimulation may be delivered to be effective in providing a nerve block while delivering nerve stimulation.